Previously, this blog was titled, "The Life and Times of a Single Gal in Nola."
I no longer live in New Orleans. Austin, TX is now my home. I am no longer in my early twenties. I am now edging toward the end of my twenties. I am older, and maybe only slightly wiser.
I'm single again, and again. But I realize life cannot be compartmentalized into titles. Life is a swiftly flowing river that ebbs and flows with the seasons.
I also want to continue writing again. Two very dear friends are encouraging me to get back on the horse. I am so grateful to have them in my life. Among many others. I am thrilled that I know you, and you, and you, and you, and...etc.
2015 will prove to be quite the year. I hope.
The following may seem self-serving, but it is my hope that others will see themselves in this and will apply this to themselves as well. We all need to take better care of ourselves.
I said I am single. But this is the year I will get married--married to a stressed-out, burned-out 26-year old who is continually confused about where her life is going. Sounds like a catch, eh?
That was sarcasm.
Though, I will be with this person forever and ever. I will never divorce her. That person is me. I vow to marry ME.
In 2015, I vow to get to know myself again. I vow to love myself unconditionally, while still allowing momentary frustration and anger, but allowing for those to be what they are, merely fleeting moments.
I vow to be gentler and kinder to myself. I vow to take care of myself.
I vow to give myself quality time, to be alone and enjoy it without the distractions of technology, or at least, without the distraction of social media. I vow to put my phone down more often. I vow to entertain myself in more varied ways, doing things from which I derive joy, whether it be cooking, baking, writing, reading, doing yoga, taking a bike ride, or breathing in fresh air as I climb a hill. (This is Texas, let's get real--there are no mountains.)
I also vow to give my body the attention it deserves. My body is my home--my forever home. I was born in it and I will die in it. And the best I can live will depend on how well I care for the vehicle that carries my soul. Exercise, better nutrition, and remembering to eat--no more starving this body.
I also vow to take care of the surroundings in which my body lives. Often, my surroundings reflect my state of mind. I am certain if I change my environment purposefully, then my mental health will improve.
I vow to care about my mental health. I will care for my feelings and my mind as much as I care for my body.
I will breathe. I will love.
And none of the above are New Year's resolutions. All the above are vows to myself. I also vow to be OKAY if I have difficulty with maintaining my vows. In order to keep the first two vows, I have to allow myself room for mistakes and for growth--no more berating myself over mistakes. I must learn how to be okay with things not being perfect.
I also must exercise infinite patience and recognize I am on my own journey and my own timeline. I need to recognize that things will fall into place, and that I am following the path I am meant to lead. I must allow myself time to mourn, to laugh, to feel, to succeed, and to fail.
I take me to be my wedded self, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and cherish forever.
