Lived-In Look
The goal was to write a blog post once a week and I failed.
No lives were taken, no money lost. Just a mental game I played with myself that didn’t work out.
Oh well, there’s always next week to get it right.
My daughter turns twenty-four on Saturday. She’s at that age where she’s honing her life skills and setting copious goals. Real ones, not just blog posts.
She’s trying and succeeding and then failing. She’s often disappointed or pissed. It’s called being in your twenties, I try to tell her.
My comments and advice are often entertained, but I fear the older my children get, there will be less entertaining. I’m guessing by thirty, they will no longer bother hiding the eye-rolls.
So, if I had my oldest’s undivided attention. If her siblings weren’t interrupting or she wasn’t texting or taking a picture, this is what I would want her to know.
You are magnificent. Inside and out, but no one will recognize that until you do. Beauty, I have learned, starts deep inside. There isn’t enough money or cream or late night online purchases that will cover up self-yuckiness. Like everyone else, you are a work in progress. Talk to yourself often. Don’t forget to sweat, and remember it is what you do most of the time that counts.
Keep your house clean. Your space has energy and taking the time to cherish your surroundings honors who you are and what you will allow.
Read. If you don’t, you will miss out. Guaranteed.
Manage your mind. That bullshit about you are what you think you are isn’t bullshit after all. Keep your thoughts from straying into places that do not serve you.
No one owes you a thing and no one is coming to save you. Be grateful and save yourself.
Laugh. Often.
Be happy is stupid advice. Instead, work. Work hard. Happiness is not given, and it is not a state of being that appears one day on a fluffy cloud. It comes from a job well done, an argument fairly fought, a thriving garden, a late night when everyone else has gone to bed. A happy life is work. Don’t wait for it to show up.
Admit when you are wrong and say you’re sorry. Don’t blame other people or make excuses. Just be wrong. It’s super freeing and vital to the relationships in your life.
You are not running out of time. Contrary to what most of the world chants, barring tragedy, life is long. And if you’re struck by tragedy, you won’t know it anyway. That’s what makes it tragic. Don’t try to live like you are dying. It is impossible, and you will annoy the shit out of people.
Above all else, cut yourself some slack. You are good. You are on your way. Mess up, clean up, and for God’s sake ignore your mother often. She will still love you.
Oh, and when you set goals, give yourself a one or two-day fudge factor. No one will care.
My thoughts from the laundry room. I’ll Tuck You In.
adulthood children learning life love Motherhood older Parenting birthday children family goals life Parenting thoughts twenties women
This is awesome. Your daughter is lucky to have you <3
And from me, thanks for the reminder.
Hello From the Laundry Room. This was an incredible piece. It went from your sincere mother’s heart straight into mine. So much knowledge in the piece. Well expressed. Beautifully written. I applaud you.
It occurs to me that because we have already been out there in the world (though it was a different world then) now that we are seeing ourselves through our children, now we can offer the advice we wish we were given back when we were in our 20s. But let’s be honest, someone did — most likely our mothers! But we didn’t think they knew “us and our new world” because by then the world had changed. Yet we got it, right? Our daughters will get it too.
Like you’re doing here, our mother’s sent out their prayers and The Universe delivered the blessings that belonged to us.
You saying it the way you did– that was beautiful. You have sent out a beautiful prayer out to The Universe who will store it and later deliver it to your daughter. She will receive the blessings in due time.
In the meantime, you have touched many hearts with this piece. Thanks for sharing.
About your blog promise — hey give yourself some grace.
“She’s often disappointed or pissed. It’s called being in your twenties.” Jesus, where were you in my 20s? This is good advice. Would have made me relax about the whole ball of wax:).
Hahahaha. Oh, if only I’d known that little tidbit back in my 20s too. 🙂
Great advice and coming just in time for me to give to my new adult children. Happy weekend!
Thank you, Barb. Happy weekend to you, too. ❤️
Just wonderful…:)
Thank you. 😊
Loved. This. Thank you. We all need this bit of motherly advice.
So true, I talk to myself often. Hahaha. Thank you for reading. 🌼
There’s no “eye-rolling” at this end, Tracey–I love the way you tell it like it is! As for your blog goal, I allow myself more than 1-2 days as I write when I am hit with something to say 🙂
Aw, thank you. I used to post when the mood struck. I should probably stick with that, too. This goal business is annoying. 😊
Good advice for not only for your daughter, but for all of us. As for a weekly blog post, I too have failed and don’t even have the content you put into yours. All I hope is that you keep writing them as I look forward to reading (and enjoying) them. ~nan
Thank you, Nan. 😊
and i would say, no worries about your blog timeline. all great advice to your daughter, from one who has lived it and learned.
Thank you. 😊
Reblogged this on MUSINGS.