My Life is my own

Life can be a wild ride, sometimes leaving us feeling drained and uncertain about what’s next. But guess what? We’re the captains of our ships, even when it feels like everyone else has a say.

When I feel down or anxious, I take my medicine and focus on the simple pleasures that bring me joy. Watching our cats play, soaking in nature’s beauty, and noticing the daily changes in the weather are all ways to escape the hustle and bustle of the commercial world. And let me tell you, I find pure happiness in those moments.

I also love losing myself in a good book or listening to music. The TV is rarely on unless there’s a sports game or a show that gets my heart racing. Hal gets to choose what he wants to watch while I sit back with my AirPods, getting lost in my favorite tunes.

The key to all this is that I consciously choose what to welcome into my life. I decided to stop watching the news because it weighed me down, and I know I don’t need that negativity anymore. We can all make choices that uplift us; it just takes deciding and sticking to them.

I still have my moments when writing feels tough, but I push through because it brings me joy, no matter how rough the first draft might be. I no longer try to write on a strict schedule because that feels too much like work. Instead, I embrace the straw man method of writing. I jot down a primary title and outline, then return to it when inspiration strikes.

These simple changes have made me happier and more at peace with myself. The truth was always right there in front of me, but I couldn’t see it because I was so caught up in the rat race that American society demanded from us. We’re like rats in a maze until we learn to go over the walls rather than scurry around aimlessly.

I know my true self more than I ever did before. I feel more empowered daily rather than just reacting to external stimuli. The turmoil from the outside world doesn’t bother me anymore. I can process and quickly accept or reject what’s essential to my life rather than what someone else is supposed to expect from me.