The year in which I break out of my shell...sort of

When turning a certain age makes you evaluate your entire life so you decide to make changes.

Hi, that's me at 40, trying to not feel stupid taking a selfie. That's me trying not to care if people notice I'm taking a photo of myself. I'm that self conscious.

“Let those thoughts fall like leaves into the river, and then let the river take them away.”

If you've ever struggled with feeling like it is okay to be you in this world, you are my people.

Making Time For Fitness

I think Covid threw us all for a loop. I had just started working out, I was working through basic mental health issues, trying to figure out some behavior stuff with Native2 (my youngest), going to school, trying not to feel like an imposter at work...you know the usual. And then comes this crazy pandemic. It just put everything on hold. Not like, "hey, let's see how long this stay at home order lasts" on hold, but like, "hey my husband has covid and they just developed a test for it and I can't get tested and oh god is he going to die am I going to die?" on hold. Yep The Hunter got the Covid. It really changed my perspective on what mattered. While Hunter is fine now (besides being married to me) the uncertainty and fear made me think about the life I was building for the Natives.

I stopped caring (as much) about what people thought about me, and started caring more about living and being fully. So I lost weight, I starting working with a trainer for real fitness. I started taking pictures of myself of my accomplishments. I started taking pride in my progress. I want to be around for as long as I can for Native1 and Native2 and I want them to see what it looks like to be proud of yourself. So I wear the shorts, I take the picture, I write the blog, I tell the story. You...yep, you. Go do your thing. Make time for you. If its a bath, a walk, a glass of wine, a workout, a first date, a last date...do your thing. Be proud and happy do the thing you always wanted to do because life is too short.