Monday Mirror #10: Never, never
But maybe...
There are certain truths you’re told when you’re younger that don’t sink in until you get to a certain age.
You do care less what people think of you as you get older, you learn that not everything is that big of a deal, and everyone really is making it up as we go. (We’re all still looking for an adult to guide us, no matter our age. I think we perpetually feel 15 years old. At least I know I do.)
This past year has taught me a lot about myself and what I actually want in my life, or at least what I want in my life right now. That’s an important differentiator, because there is a growing list of things I thought I would never do or say or become, and yet here I am.
So here’s an incomplete list of my “nevers:”
I’ll never go vegan. I’ve been vegan for almost twelve years now.
I’ll never run a marathon. I’ve run two. And I may do another in the future. (London is calling…)
I’ll never leave New York. We all know how that turned out.
I’ll never want a job that’s not in an office and 9-5. Now I’m exploring freelancing, setting my own hours (and rates) is surprisingly satisfactory. The flexibility and freedom alone are enough to keep me away from a 9-5.
I never want to be in charge, or be my own boss. See above re: freelancing.
I could never not work out every day and go hard in training. I’m now fully in the camp of Pilates, yoga, and walking with weights sprinkled in, all with rest days in between. Less really is more.
I’ll never let anyone see me without makeup. Oh, I’m well over that phase.
I never believe in anything unless there’s hard proof. As an astrology girly, can I really claim this? I don’t believe in a Judeo-Christian God, but I like to think there’s magic in the world. I now describe myself as a spiritual person, when I was a staunch atheist as a teen.
I never like to cook. Hard LOL there. Cooking is one of my favorite things.
There’s much more to this list, of course, but as I think back on all the things I used to “never,” it makes me reevaluate everything I impulsively now say “never” to. As we enter spring, and the warmer temperatures and longer days encourage motivation and enthusiasm and happier moods, I’ve been thinking about the future, my future, and all the changes that have happened over the last year.