Dear Younger Self,
You did good.
Married, a new home, and a baby all in the same year.
And, not in that order (wink).
Talk about a life pivot.
From student, career gal, traveler, and purveyor of fun to stay-at-home mom, gym bunny, hobby business lady, and purveyor of poop.
You never were the girl who wanted it all.
You just gravitated toward that thing that was giving you the most joy, working toward a career that matched your talents and interests.
When people asked you what you wanted to do, they were always shocked at Career Gal’s answer:
“I want to marry a man who can take care of business, while I take care of the home and kids”…
…BLASPHEMY in 1990.
You met the man of your dreams, just as you were finishing grad school, but waited till graduation to even open the door.
To you, the advanced business degree was a life education because understanding business is understanding the business of life.
Your life wasn’t about ‘doing it all’ at the same time, but doing it all on your own terms, sequentially instead of concurrently.
And, time passed so fast.
Two kids, a boy and a girl, brought joy, crazy, and a special kind of love into your life.
Raising happy, healthy, and productive children was your primary goal and girl, you did it!
Because now they are two college-educated kids who are happy, healthy, and productive adults.
Each paired off with their college loves and working on their own careers.
You never did get back to that ‘career’ or starting that ‘million dollar business’ when the kids went off to college.
But that’s okay, because you found something more fulfilling; activism and volunteerism for causes you believed in.
Giving back by trying to make the world a better place, especially for our children, feels good.
And, OMG!!!!!! YOU ARE STILL MARRIED! TWENTY FIVE YEARS!!!
Seriously, feel that accomplishment because you earned it.
The future holds your next chapters. What will they include?
World travel, fame in the blogger world, a best seller, an award-winning screen or stage play, a political run for state or local government?
Marriages, grandkids, family get togethers and vacations…
Yep, you want it all again.
And, girl, I know you can get it.
Maybe not all at the same time.
And, maybe not as you envision it now.
Because, I know and you know, that if you can keep the focus on finding joy, while using your own unique skills and talents, the life you look back on will be a life you can be proud to call your own.
Now, go make me proud… oh wait, you already did. My turn! HA.
Signed,
Older Self
Definitely interesting if we could all press fast forward for just a sneak peek. Thanks for writing this cause degrees and leaving that Career Woman is always a fear. But looks like things can work out just as they are supposed to after all. ❤
Thank you.
This is such an encouraging read, Lori. Thank you for sharing!
You are welcome!