Me in my dudio; taken by my seven year old.
Hello. It’s me. The real me.
Who are you?
That question’s been swirling around in my head ever since I read a blog post this past weekend by Tiffany Moore (a.k.a. Crafty Fanny). She’s part of the foursome of fab, fearless friends at Spring Inspiration, where they’ve been asking readers recently what makes you authentically you? Tiffany took the question to heart and posted a laundry list of things that are true and honest and real about her. I commented on it and she wrote back, encouraging me to write a “who are you” list, too. And ever since, I’ve been thinking and feeling and noticing lots of little things that add up to create the big picture of me. It’s harder than it sounds, deciphering the things that are really and truly part of my spirit versus the things I’ve learned or changed or hidden about myself just to fit in. So, here’s what I’ve come up with so far, in no particular order…
1. I love to laugh. People often tell me my laughter is contagious, which is such a great compliment!
2. I am in heaven when standing next to any ocean.
3. When I was little, I used to sing to angels and spirits in my backyard and didn’t realize other people couldn’t see them.
4. I hate cleaning, but I love organizing. The Container Store is one of my happy places.
5. I have gone camping once. And that was enough.
6. I feel like an outsider in the suburbs. But I like the nice yards and good schools. And Super Target.
7. I am really proud of myself for embracing the artist in me. I make stuff and it brings me such joy.
8. I used to be terrified of losing people, including letting go of friendships. But now I realize people come and go at the just-right times in my life and that holding on for dear life to someone actually sucks the life out of both of us.
9. I write good thank you notes. I think it’s important to be heartfelt and effusive with my gratitude.
10. Famous people I wish I could hang out with: Oprah, Ellen DeGeneres, Mary Englebreit, Eleanor Roosevelt, Anne Lamott, Jennifer Weiner, Jennifer Aniston, Esther & Jerry Hicks, Wayne Dyer, and Martha Beck.
11. This is my favorite number. I get goosebumps and pause for a second whenever I see 11:11 on the clock.
12. I am learning to accept that I am not the number on my scale and that no matter what it says, I am still the same me. And food can’t make me happy.
13. I love my boys so much sometimes my heart aches.
14. The best decision I ever made was not going to college (and working at a radio station instead). I knew in my gut it was not meant to be. When others worried, I trusted and listened to my best advisor – me.
15. I am enough, just the way I am. And so are you.