I have always been a perfectionist.
Always.
Not since 6th grade.
Not since Freshman year of college.
ALWAYS.
I kick myself when I get a B.
I change my outfit 3+ times daily.
I can shower up to 4 times a day (if I'm stressed).
I'm 10 minutes early to everything.
I repeat what I'm going to say in my head at least twice before it actually comes out of my mouth (I read what I write nearly 5 times before I send it as well)
I just got home from the Orthodontist. Teeth aren't perfectly straight anymore since surgery. Gotta fix it. (hence the title of this blog. Yes, that is how I talk now.)
and yet...
My room is always a mess.
...as is my car...
I would rather wear sweats every day.
I'm not organized.
I have a terrible memory.
I yell at sports games...cuz I'ma lady.
I enjoy sleep probably a little too much.
I laugh when I'm nervous, uncomfortable, in an awkward situation, mad, scared, pretty much every emotion. It's quite a hassle.
and a lot of times, I care a little too much.
...after reading that you probably already know too much about me now. Sorry.
As you may know, back in January I had a "surgery gone bad" issue (if you haven't read the blog about it, go here:
The Big Picture ) My recovery lasted until April when I was released of my handicapped parking pass and all of the medical mysteries were solved. The mass was benign, I didn't have MS, and my autoimmune test came back negative for every disease.
It was during this time of getting in and out of my "handicapped labeled car", that I began to realize just how much I care about what people think of me. I wondered how people viewed me now, with this little dangling sign signifying that I needed to park close to a door because I was disabled.
Unfortunately, I cared a little too much, and as soon as I got in the car I'd rip the sign off of my rear view window, look around to make sure no one saw me, and head out.
Shallow. I know.
Looking back, I have watched my thoughts. Paying close attention to just how much I obsess over how other people see me, what I do, how I think, who I am. And working on, "caring less".
How exhausting is that?
This month, I have made a vow to myself, to live for myself. Not for how others want me to. Not to impress anyone other than myself. Because in the end, YOU have to live with your life.
Last year I wrote a blog about a shop I want to open some day (
That One Place ).
I have completed my Undergrad as an Art Therapy major. So, naturally, I thought the next step was to go on for a Psychology Masters. I was accepted into the program, with a knot in my stomach. An unsettling knot that nags at you saying "hellooo I'm a knot! Something's not ok! Fix it!" All summer, I had this knot. I knew it had to do with grad school.. I wasn't content with my decision.
I began to think, "Why would I want to go into psychology when I don't want to do therapy on people? or research? or teach? or...really anything related to psychology? (Sure, some people are cut out for that. I just carry everyones emotions on my back along with mine. I cried when a bird flew into my car and still lived ok? I'm emotional. I accept this. )
Because of my vow to myself, I have decided to pursue an MBA in Marketing.
(Quite a change, eh?)
This will not only help my future because of the numerous job opportunities, but it will also put me in a place to open my dream shop down the road. Let me tell you, after filling out the application for grad school (again) I have NEVER had the butterflies I had. Almost puked. Just sayin'.
I did this for myself.
The hardest part was letting go of what I had heard I SHOULD do, and coming to know what I really WANTED to do.
I still obsess over certain things, I admit.
But the biggest thing even remotely worth obsessing over is,
"What can you do right now to make yourself the happiest?"
Do you have an answer?
If you're not doing what makes you happiest every day of your life, then what are you doing?
Everyone deserves to be the happiest.
I'm getting my MBA because that's what makes ME happy.
I'm fixing my teeth and lookin' lika foo cuz that makes ME happy (not so much the lookin lika foo part..but the straight teeth part...)
I may be a perfectionist, but I now am a perfectionist for myself. Not for anyone else.
So, are you your happiest?
<3
Not the happiest today? Maybe this will help put a lil smile on your face.
(Youtube video reactions)