Dear Courtney... a letter to my younger self

Dear Courtney,

Happy Birthday Girl! You’re another year older, and yes you’re getting wiser. Here are a few things to add to that wisdom. First, let me state that You Are Stronger Than You Know and Believe.  Look at the women who came before you – they are/were incredibly strong and you have their same resilience. Part of what makes you shine is your tendency to lean toward the positive. Your optimism will take you further than you can imagine.

One day you will realize that you have become an expert at making a Plan A, B, and C. Please recognize that there is such a thing as over-planning.  Try hard not to let your planning turn into paralysis or procrastination. The sooner you acknowledge this, the better off you will be.

You are incredibly independent, and asking for help doesn’t come naturally to you. Acknowledge that you can’t do everything on your own – no one can. Your family is one of your many blessings. While they may not always “get” you, they love you just the same. Allow them to support you when they offer, and ask for help when you need it.

Your penchant for developing long-lasting friendships is a gift. You don’t know it yet, but it will become a lifeline. Your MVP’s will always have your back. Accept their offers for girls-night-out even when you want to nap. When the group texts mention vacation trips, ignore your go-to “introvert excuses.” As everyone gets older, those invites become less frequent. That’s just a side effect of adulting. 

It’s your birthday weekend, so let me wrap this up. After all, you have places to go and people to celebrate with. So, if you’re only going to remember one thing (until you pull this letter out next year), let it be that YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH! You’ll run into some obstacles and a few will really wear you down. Have faith that you have all the tools (or know where to find them) to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Learn to trust yourself, and when doubt creeps in, don’t hesitate to phone a friend of call the fam. Know that you are truly loved. 

With Love,

Your Older Self

What I’ve Learned About Myself While Social Distancing

Photo: Alonso Reyes, Unsplash

For those of you that don’t know, I am a member of Toastmasters International. It is an organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills. One part of the club meeting is called Table Topics During this time, speakers respond to an impromptu question. The goal is to become comfortable with providing unrehearsed speeches.

One of the Table Topics questions the club’s last meeting was, “What have you learned about yourself while social distancing?” Today, I thought I would share three of the things that I have learned during this isolating period.

1.       Avocados Are Okay

I like guacamole (minus the cilantro) but have never really tried to eat avocados as just avocados. I’ve been looking for new recipes, and since avocados have been on sale, I thought I’d give them a try. My first experience had me wondering who I could donate the rest to. Then, after consulting a friend about when avocados are ripe, I gave them another try. While they’re not a fruit that I will ever crave, I’ve determined that they aren’t so bad when eaten with something, such as a salad or sandwich.

2.       Social Interactions Do Provide Energy

If you didn’t know, I am an introvert. It’s just who I am. When #stayathome began, I thought it would be a two or maybe two and a half month thing. I wasn’t that concerned, because introverts were built for times like these, right? After what feels like years of social distancing (but really it’s been closer to three months), I can admit that socializing is refreshing. 1-2 times a week, I visit one of my besties. We aren’t brave enough to go out anywhere just yet, but spending a few hours in her kitchen gives me a whole new life. Every time I leave her house I am happier.

3.       I Don’t Have to Snooze

For as long as I can remember, I have been a firm believer in the snooze button. No one that I know would describe me as a morning person. I regularly dream that I’ve awakened and begun getting ready for the day, only to realize that I’m actually still asleep. Therefore, I typically set 3-5 alarms across two different devices, to make sure that I am actually awake when I need to be. Lately, with enough sleep, I wake up right before my first alarm goes off. As long as I don’t hit snooze at all, I can shake off the sleepiness, and actually be coherent within 20 minutes. Prior to #stayathome my to-do list was so full that I was too wired to get any effective sleep at night, and therefore, had a real dependence on the snooze button.  

Like everyone else, I am more than ready for a return to something that resembles normal. Until then, I’m trying to make the best of this situation, and discovering new things on a regular basis. What have you learned about yourself while social distancing?