We were on a family vacation in Los Angeles at the time and all it took was 15 minutes driving on the 405 to exhale in frustration along with a string of cuss words. I didn't even realize I had done it until it was too late. I try not to swear a lot in front of my boys. But, they have certainly heard words come out of my mouth, especially when I'm frustrated. My oldest son recently said "fuck" to me and I didn't even notice, and when I did, it was too late to look shocked.
Another resolution was to be more intentional. For example, if I'm at the gym, I want to be present. I don't want to think about anything else, other than the fact that I am at the gym. The same when I'm with my boys, husband, friends, dog, colleagues, etc. Because you never know when that time might be taken away and all you wish for is more of it. I took Facebook off of my phone. Not because I think FB is the devil. But mostly because it took me away from being present with the people I was with.
I know a lot of people loathe Facebook and I can see where they are coming from all the BS. However, I'm thankful for the friendships I have been able to maintain and I have blocked most of the toxicity, which makes it much more pleasant. And the toxicity that I haven't blocked can be entertaining at times. Basically, in 2019 I want more social, less media.
Lastly, I decided to stop being so apologetic. Towards the end of the year, I became hyper-aware of how often I found myself apologizing. And not for things I should be apologizing for. It seems that when I really do owe someone an apology, it takes days (sometimes weeks) for me to actually do it. My face cringes thinking about it. It. is. so. hard. I'm not talking about that kind of apology. I'm talking about the kind where I hide who I am to make other people feel more comfortable.
For example, I liked turning 40. It felt like a right of passage into I don't give AF land. When I was in Las Vegas recently I was in the bathroom with a group of women who were there for a bachelorette party. I walked out of the stall, washed my hands and made sure that I didn't have a coffee stain on my shirt. I watched one of them tug at her dress and say how much she hated her (size 2 and flat) belly. I told her she looked amazing. Because she did. She brushed off my compliment and said: "Look at you!" which made me wonder if she was saying that because I was her mom's age, or if she was drunk. I listened as they talked about some guys outside waiting for them. I too had guys waiting for me, 5 of them to be exact. And who were annoyed that I had to pee so much.
Sure, I may not like my non-size two belly, but I wouldn't trade the four guys waiting for me outside of the bathroom for it. They are worth every stretch mark. And because I'm crossed the border of IDGAF land, I decided not to worry about it. It is beautifully liberating.
In my teens, 20's or even 30's, I was constantly apologizing. I'm sorry I was too loud, I'm sorry I can lift more than the boys can in gym class. I'm sorry I make up metaphors trying to explain my feelings. I'm sorry I bothered you. I'm sorry that you harassed me, I must have done something to deserve it. I'm sorry you violated me, I must have led you on. Even in my 40's I have found myself apologizing for things I did wrong that I didn't do wrong. Like, I'm sorry I raised my voice when I was defending my opinion. Or I'm sorry I feel so strongly about this. I'm sorry I'm so emotional. I'm sorry I texted you so much today.
On the final day of our trip, we took the boys to a spot in Arizona that I discovered one very early morning when I was 19 years old. I remember back then I would put in a Dave Matthews CD and drive to clear my mind. I hadn't been able to sleep and I just drove until the sun came up. I came across a place called Gate's Pass. It took my breath away. I wanted to boys to experience it. As I drove up the familiar road I had tears in my eyes. I didn't apologize. The sight of this place was so familiar and showing my family was so overwhelming and beautiful I cried.
I find tremendous joy in working out. It is a reprieve from anxiety, worry and it is when I feel the most comfortable in my ability. And my body is a reflection of this. I have big muscles. I'm not sorry about that. I started working out with my sons and I can bench press more than they can. I didn't apologize about that either. I know very soon this won't be the case.
I don't cry very often. But when I do, I usually cover my face or apologize. I'm not going to do that. While some of the reasons I cry are noteworthy, some might be silly but I shouldn't feel apologetic. Also, I'm done apologizing for things I like. Just because other people don't like the same things, why do we feel the need to say we are sorry. "I'm sorry, I just love chocolate." I'm not sorry about that at all. Chocolate is my BF. I also should mention that I love the Hallmark channel, I haven't missed an episode of Days of Our lives in YEARS and I'm not sorry about that either.
What I have learned is that every time I apologize, I'm paying homage to the thought that what I am sorry for is bad.
If you made resolutions, great. If not, great. 2019 is about being proud of exactly who you are and no more damn apologizing for it.
Or maybe you have more things to apologize for.
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