Recently I was looking for a particular picture on my computer and of course with my A.D.D. got distracted and looked at ALL my photos. Sometimes I look back and get upset with how happy I looked back then and why can't I be like that anymore. I look at what I am doing, my carefree attitude, my friends and my ultimate goal of just having fun. Initially it did get me down but then I think about my last couple years, what I have been through and what I have learned. This is me thinking out loud but also a way of reminding myself how I've grown and why I am lucky.
1. You never know how strong you can be until you have no other choice. Doesn't mean you always have to be strong because believe you me I can be the furthest thing from it. You can ask my sisters how many times I have called them just so they can hear me cry.
2. The most important relationship you have is with yourself. Know who you are and embrace it. We all try fitting in and going along with what is popular. I mean your personality. I am told on a daily basis that I am weird, stupid or just plain ridiculous. And you know what? I'm okay with that because the people telling me this are the ones who love me and want to spend time with me. I don't have anything to prove to them, they know I am college educated, a working professional and obviously not mentally challenged. I like knowing I can be myself...plain and simple. I like to show my belly when it is really full and yes, I sing to animals quite often!
3. Friends come and go. Even if they are still in your life or not they all teach or do something for you. Just like ourselves people change and so do relationships. A lot of times we don't want to let people go because of the memories we have and how things used to be. But things aren't like that anymore and we change ourselves to try holding on to the friendship and that is cheating ourselves and our friends. Sometimes the hardest thing to do it let go, but ultimately is it the best for the both of you.
4. Priorities change. In our early 20's it's all about party & bullshit, mid 20's are about having fun and knocking things off your bucket list, late 20's trying to find that special someone and also know that you need to make decisions that are the best for you. 30...well shit it's 30! I found that with 30 you do more what you want to do and are not concerned as much with what people will think or if they will be mad at you for your decisions.
5. Laughter really is medicine. I spent many many weeks in situations that a normal person would not consider to be the time or the place to be joking around or laughing. Mainly many many days in hospital rooms with my family. Yes we are all upset, sick to our stomach, not knowing what is next and scared. Yet one thing I love about my family is that no matter how stressful or down we are, one of us will always make the others laugh. Even if it means making fun of mom or dad after their brain surgeries (no we are really not going to hell). We play off of each other and know we are all in this together.
6. If you are not happy, do something about it. It took me YEARS to finally make a change at work and I am kicking myself in the ass for not doing it sooner. We are all scared of change and no one wants to do it. We get comfortable and don't know how things are going to change. Take the risk!
This is all I can think of for now but I'm sure a lot more will come to me. Don't get me wrong, I still love hanging out with my friends, getting shit faced and acting absolutely ridiculous. I also love hanging out with them in our sweats, making dinner, drinking wine & watching TV. I find though that when I think of having a nice relaxing weekend it usually involves spending time with the fam (especially the kiddos), not wearing a bra, eating some noodles & watching some Golden Girls. Oh how things have changed!!
