Intentions I'm Bringing Into 28

In an ode to 28, I’ve published two posts that I think pick up where I am right now in my life. The one below is the lighter one. If it feels like I wrote it while listening to Taylor Swift’s “Long Story Short”, well, it’s because I did. It gives you a snapshot of where and how I’m trying to build most of my days. 

This essay on Medium is the same but different. It speaks more to all the work I need to put in to get to a place where I can even write things like the below. 

I tend to feel really shitty about myself and how being happy, enjoying life, living without thinking, all comes harder to me than I think it does to my neighbor. This year, I’m trying to be kinder and honor my birthday as a time to embrace every inch of who I am and who I am is many many things.

Here are some of the lessons and thoughts I’m carrying into 28:

• “Stop thinking that people are going to judge you on the order you do things.” - Tyler B.

• Perfection doesn’t make for a happy life, it makes for a stressed life.

• Therefore, if you’re stressed in life, ask “am I trying to be perfect/do something perfectly?” and then just be human.

• Being vulnerable is a medicine for shame.

• Happy lives and families are built with each kitchen dance party. 

• The dog is never a bad idea. 

• Forgive. Not for them, for you.

• Don’t close your fist around love or resentment, they have the same outcome. 

• Friend breaks ups devastate and should be talked about more.

• Now is a good time to learn to stop waiting to be given permission to live.

• You are layered and contain multitudes. 

• Sex is fun. You can work to unlearn the guilt born from religion, culture, or family structures that lead one to believe sex is about duty and a checklist. 

• Reading is a healthy form of escapism. 

• Travel doesn’t have to only be international.

• Church can be long drives, a long bath, a short walk.

• “I am” can be a touch tree. 

• Keep inviting love in but more importantly keep giving it space and oxygen to grow.

• Fight for yourself. 

• “If the shoe fits walk in it everywhere you go.” - Taylor S.