The Truth About Me & Life
It’s time to let you all in on a little secret. It’s something that I’m sure you’ve expected for a while and will, therefore, not be at all surprised when I tell you. For some, it may come as a disappointment but after a ton of reflection and evaluation of where I’m at personally, it felt like an appropriate time to share in the hopes it is validating for some so here it goes: I do not know what I’m doing.
Shot by Ali Campbell
Whew, that feels good to put out there. Nope, not engaged or married or pregnant and a bit of a cheeky way to get us here but nonetheless true. I just feel like if I’m sharing any kind of message it should be the developing story of my truth and not just a more in depth of the highlight reel that is my Instagram.
Now, with my announcement comes some relief because as a newly minted 30-year-old, I have picked up on some knowledge that will perhaps be useful to some of you. These are hard lessons that I’ve learned that upon their education became quite a relief once I adopted them into what I know to be universal truths and therefore guiding lights of my everyday. Many times, these epiphanies come to me just as I’m settling into a supported fish pose on my yoga mat or preparing myself for sleep but they’ve been increasingly more common and good reminders that life is a messy journey and you don’t need to be afraid.
You will fail. You are going to make mistakes. Daily. For some, you will self-correct before you even have time to process what is happening and other times your error will be on display for the world. While it may seem that you are measured by your mistakes, the truth is that you are actually evaluated by how you face adversity and challenges. Whether the mistake is your fault or not, it is often the case that it cannot be undone and how you move forward is truly what decides your fate.
You have to show up for your life. I like to think of my life in the context of my favorite book “Time Of My Life” by Cecilia Ahern. In the book, life is personified and the main character is faced with the neglect and mistreatment she has inflicted and is faced with making a series of changes to improve her quality of living. Aside from being a piece of fiction, everything about this book is the truth. When you don’t show up for your life, take chances, treat your life like you care about it, you cannot be open to opportunities, new experiences, meeting new people, etc. And if I’m starting to sound like a self-help book good because Lord knows that i’ve read enough of them lately to supplement my expertise for this post. Not showing up and trying in life is worse than staying home and playing it safe. And you can quote me on that.
You will learn your limit. And it will change daily. I have been in such a funk lately of being so impatient with myself when I’m not operating at the same frequency that I was the day, week or month before. Which is actually super ridiculous because when I think about it, it’s definitely not helpful to have that negative self-talk when you’re tired or hungry or whatever the variable is that’s slowing you down or just has you feeling off. Sometimes my limit is one cup of coffee. Maybe its a mid-day power nap. Maybe it’s not taking two yoga classes in a row just because I can. There are times to push yourself and there are times to not and if you can’t decide which one you’re in, ask yourself, “what would make me happier right now, doing more or less?” You have all the answers you need, you just need to listen to yourself.
Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.
Shot by Ali Campbell
For more of my thoughts on this trial-by-fire approach to life I appear to be taking, please read:
26 Things No One Tells You About Turning 26 - July 5, 2017
How To: Free Fall - May 18, 2017
Things I Know - April 9, 2017