Hi friends!
I turned 49 recently and had the best day. I spent the full day with great intention, as I also intend to spend my full fiftieth year. One of the things I gifted myself with was to do some research on celebrating anniversaries by seriously reflecting and thinking about where I am and where I want to be. As we all are painfully aware, time moves on.
Some of the things I did included celebrating with amazing, fresh strawberries, courtesy of my sister. I went and had a ‘drastic’ haircut, spent a lot of time reflecting, napped swam, shopped, ate at great restaurants, went to the Elvis movie with my mom and sister and just had an overall good attitude, as I look forward to being 50. Oh yeah, I also carried a “prop birthday box” around with me all day and took silly pictures with the number “49” in them. Because I’m silly like that.
And back to the research I did, as a result of specifically one of the podcasts I listened to (UnF*ck Your Brain) , I started a new ritual of asking myself four questions. The answers are kind of rambly, stream of consiousness style. So forgive me for that because it’s still worth sharing.
- What were your favorite moments in the last year?In general I can say, travelling, more time with family, more quirky things to do and see, swimming, and working on the shoe project for lipedema. I loved all the time I spent in the pool and how empowered it made me feel, like “I’m finally exercising and loving it!” and, “I’m finally doing something about my condition to help manage it!” I frigging wrote and published a book last year!!!! I made connections with doctors, therapists, and fellow patients and influencers, who value my opinion and contributions as a lipedema patient and influencer. So that all feels pretty good!
- What do you want to do more of?
I want to increase the amount of content that our ladies desperately need and look for. I want to do more things to make us recognize that we are meant to be here, and that sometimes the world that wasn’t build for ladies like us, needs to be changed. I’m going to get my shoe line off the ground. I want to travel to more quirky places and take more silly and fun pictures. I’m going to do more lipedema friendly outfits because that’s really been such a joy. I want to spend a little more time on taking care of me physically.I want to add in some speaking engagements – Maybe at FDRS, or even a TED talk. For real. So I’ll start the ball rolling on solicitations in the fall.I want to be sponsored by Cato so I can start using their clothes in my lipedema friendly outfits posts. They really are one of my go-tos, their sizing is great, and their clearance rack is the best around. (Universe if you can hear this. I want to be sponsored by Cato.) I’ve actually put in an application through their marketing dept. already. - What do you want to do less of?
Wasting my time on things that don’t move me forward or really use the gifts I have. I’m starting to outsource things I don’t love or am not the best at. I’ve just hired someone to narrate my audio book, for example. I’ve hired a housekeeper and yard person, and hope to hire someone for laundry – my most hated chore ever! I also plan to stop travelling for work so much – it’s really tough on the body and I need to spend less time in airports and more time doing what I love. This also means that I want to do less, “emergency care” because my swelling got out of control. It’s definitely time for a pretty significant change in stress levels and sitting all day because my joints are ready to move a bit more and be in varying positions instead of sitting in front of a chair. So less being sedentary and less spending my time on stuff that stresses me out. It’s just a good thing to let go of! - What do you just want to keep doing?
Enjoying life and being courageous. Sharing my story to help others. I want to keep doing all the fun things I’ve enjoyed as a parent. My daughter’s a senior this year and I don’t want to miss anything! I’m planning to keep blogging, posting, taking pics, and working in support of lipedema awareness. I want to keep spending time with my mom and sister. I want to finish out the year with my Girl Scouts as they move into adulthood by continuing to support them as they work on final awards and volunteer hours. We have one more big camping trip and some partying to do before May!
I believe amazing things are coming for my fiftieth year and beyond. I feel I’ve finally figured out what it is I’m supposed to do, and that feels just pretty amazing!
See you soon, friends. Until then, live it up!
Susan
