An Open Letter To Me

I don't know if anyone noticed lately but there are a lot of open letters to.....Miley Cyrus, teenage girls, etc etc. They are really thinly veiled attempts to tell you what to do and how to parent, live your life etc.  So because I don't really want to tell anyone else what to do I am going to write an open letter to myself:

Dear Me-

I wanted to write to you because I have been concerned. You seem like maybe you are a bit overwhelmed lately and could use some advice...from yourself.

Quit volunteering for crap- No seriously. Stop it. I don't mean the crap that is making your heart full and happy like working with college students in foster care. I mean the other crap...throwing parties at random times and always being the party mom in your daughter's class when you are starting a new job. It's ok to say no. Someone else will plan the damn class party and if it's not as fun as yours, oh well! I know you are going to agree this is good advice and turn around and do the end of the year party but hey, I tried. 

Stop texting and plan to see people IN PERSON- This is a tough one I know. Texting is so quick and easy but they are not real interactions. Send a quick text to arrange a drink, yoga class or a hike with a friend. I promise it will be so much more rewarding than your fingers flying over your phone. Speaking of phone....

PUT THE PHONE DOWN- Your goal this year was to be more present, to really BE there with your kid and husband and people you are with.  Facebook is not going to change every two minutes and even if it does, who cares? What is important is sitting right in front of you, even if it's a RHOBH episode. Seriously, Carlton and Kyle are fighting again and you are missing it!

Don't be hard on yourself if you overpost on social media- Let's face it, you have been an open book since you were young. You were the senior in high school that wrote a center page article for the WHOLE school to read about your father abondoning you as a child for a two page spread on deadbeat dads. Social media was pretty much invented for you. That said, don't bother posting political or religious stuff b/c apparently not everyone agrees with you.

Don't use technology when you are emotional- Fighting with the husband, upset about work, having a rough day with the kid? Journal, work out, meditate. Do not pick up the phone and start texting your best friends about your awful life because it is the furthest thing from awful. You are a lucky bitch with a husband that adores you and you adore back and a kid that can make you nuts but makes you happier than anything else in the world. So suck it up!  If you really need a break then follow my earlier advice and schedule time with people. 

JUST BE- This is supposed to be your philosophy for life going forward, so start living it now. Be happy, be grateful, be gracious, be loving, be healthy, be strong, be humble, be effective, be honest and most of all BE PRESENT. 

I think this about sums up what I think you should know. I know life can seem tough with constant job changes, traveling spouse, foster care prep and a "spirited kid" but at the end of the day, you got this.  Instead of looking at Vanderpump Rules Instagram, write down every day 3 things you are grateful for, keep journaling to Elena and spend time with people you love.

Love, 

Me

 

Oh and PS.....throw away the Girl Scout cookies!! Why do young children want me to be fat? Can they please start selling carrots??