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I ran into someone not that long ago at the library, and she had recognized me and she looked vaguely familiar, but I wasn’t really really sure if I knew her or just seen her. She came up to me and we started talking and turns out we did know each other from a childbirth class series we took together.
She said I had said something that had encouraged her throughout her entire motherhood since that class. I was kind of shocked, me? Say something that will stick with someone for their whole lives? That’s pretty cool! So, I asked her, well… what did I say?
She said that I had said “create a life you don’t have to escape from” and I was kind of like wow. Yes. I 100% agree with that, but also, I SAID THAT?!?!?!
So it got me thinking… I remembered sharing a meme with the leader of the group, and I think that’s originally where it came from. I’m not THAT philosophical. Although, I can be from time to time a deep thinker. Maybe I’ll have to share some random things I’ve shared in my journal sometime. Or maybe I’ll just spare us both and leave them there to die.
Anyways, maybe old me was onto something. How do we create a life we don’t have to escape from? Because, truth be told.. I love to escape from my problems. Ask anyone. I’m a runner. Is there confrontation? Just end the relationship instead of talking it out. Don’t like your situation? Just leave it instead of forming grit and endurance. Etc. (Don’t actually do these things!)
I have moved 12 times in just the short span of 9 years. I honestly blame my parents for naming me after a bird (Robin) because, maybe it’s just in my namesake at this point.
Well here’s what I have learned at this point in my 34 years of life:
- You cannot escape from yourself.
- Maybe the problem isn’t the problems at all.
- Maybe it’s how you react to it.
- Maybe it’s how you perceive the world and everything in it.
- Maybe it goes even deeper than that, and it’s how you relate to your parents and your childhood.
Oof. Told ya I could get deep.
With all of that in mind, here’s 3 practical tips for creating a life you don’t have to escape from.
- #yolo – Ok, I know, it’s a silly phrase, but I really do say it all the time. Ask my friends. It’s actually kind of annoying and I say it for literally EVERYTHING. Do I really need to can these black raspberries again? #yolo. Should I go on the camping trip even though we’re drowning at home already? #yolo. While I’m not encouraging you to over burden your lives, take a look at your life and what are you envisioning happening that just isn’t happening? This is your one life. LIVE IT. And live it 100% authentically YOU. So if that means canning something even though you’re tired. Just can it. I read something in a book once that said this world was created by people who were tired. And how true is that?! Being tired isn’t a reason to not do something that will actually awaken your soul, since you’re being true to yourself.
- Know your limits – yes, #yolo, but also, know when to say you cannot commit to something. For me that’s right before and usually on my period. I need to drastically slow down and focus on just myself, my kids and my husband, my house duties and making sure everything is in order in my household. You need to take time for yourself in order to even know yourself. And to even be able to live authentically. Again, who are you running from? Yourself? So maybe get messy and do the inner work to not be so offended by others, because you realize who YOU ARE.
- Finding joy in the mundane – we all get tired of doing the dishes every single day, but be thankful you have food and running water. A perspective shift is 100% the best way to create a life you don’t need to escape from. Is it the hardest? Well, yes. But it’s also the surest way to enjoy your life. Choose to be joyful. Choose to be thankful. Choose to enjoy your life. Choose to love those around you, instead of creating dramas. Choose to be understanding.
Are there more ways of creating a life you don’t have to escape from? Surely. And please feel free to add your ideas below in the comments section. I’d love to hear them! These are just the top 3 for me.
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