suddenlysinglewomen

Becoming the best version of yourself

Apr 24

10.  Don’t be afraid of other people’s empty judgments.

by suddenlysinglewomen

10.  Don’t be afraid of other people’s empty judgments.

“The greatest and most gratifying experiences in life cannot be seen or touched.  They must be felt with the heart from the inside out.  There’s nothing more inspiring than the complexity and beauty of human, heartfelt feelings.  Sadly though, many people let the fear of judgment numb and silence them.  Their deepest thoughts and feelings often go unspoken, and thus barely understood.

Do NOT let people invalidate or minimize how you feel.  If you feel something, you feel it and it’s real to you.  Nothing anyone says has the power to invalidate that, ever.  No one else occupies your body, or sees life through your eyes.  No one else has lived through your exact experiences.  And so, no one else has the right to dictate or judge how you feel.  Your feelings are important.  Never let anyone or any circumstance lead you to believe otherwise.

Remind yourself that there is a great freedom in leaving others to their opinions, and there is a huge weight lifted when you take nothing personally.”

 

This is a great last part of this series of posts I’ve been sharing.  It is so validating to me to read this and I’ll tell you why.

When I published my book on divorce recovery and “survival” as a newly single woman, one of the first points I tried to get across to my readers was “your feelings are YOUR feelings”.  Don’t ever let people judge you or tell you HOW to feel, and WHEN to feel and WHAT to feel.

People are always going to try to tell you what to do, when to do it, how to do it, how THEY would do it, and so on.

Friends and family (one hopes) want what’s best for you – that’s great.  However, you have to walk the path of your life yourself, in the way that you feel is best for you.  You’re going to make some people mad; you’re going to receive  some criticism both behind your back and to your face.  You may have to live with knowing you’ve disappointed those who are closest to you . . .

Let it roll off like water on a duck’s back.

If we’re trying to be the best version of ourselves this year, then we need to listen to our hearts.

Can you hear it?

Being a Happy Woman Being The Best Version Of Yourself Divorce Recovery Finding Happiness as a Single Woman Fresh Starts Girlfriends Having a Happy Life Life after Divorce Passive Agressive Behavior Surviving Divorce Women's Lives after Divorce

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Apr 15

9.  Don’t be afraid to live out some of your dreams.

by suddenlysinglewomen

9.  Don’t be afraid to live out some of your dreams.

“There are thousands of people who live their entire lives on the default settings, never realizing they can customize everything.  Don’t settle for the default settings in life.  Don’t hide behind laziness.  Find your loves, talents and passions, and embrace them fully.

Seriously, too many people dream only at night in the quiet of their own minds, and then awake to find it was all an illusion.  Don’t be one of them.  Dream by day, too.  Be one of the people who dream with their eyes wide open, and who works to make some of them come true.

And forget popularity too.  Just do your thing with passion, humility, and honesty.  Do what you do, not for an applause, but because it’s what’s right.  Pursue it a little bit each day, no matter what anyone else thinks.  That’s how dreams are achieved.”  

(Read Tuesdays with Morrie.)

 

Sounds so simple doesn’t it?  I’ve now entered what I lovingly refer to as the last 1/3 of my life.  OK, so my Mom just turned 100 on Christmas Eve, so maybe I’ve got a bit more time, but seriously?

What am I waiting for?  If it’s not something that is holding you back (like finances) but something that you can dream about, then accomplish – what are you waiting for?

I’ve mentioned before, the last year of college, I set myself some life goals.  Of the five, I didn’t finish the fifth and final one till last year.  I graduated college in 1975, you can do the math.

So now I’m setting myself new goals.  They’re also larger goals.  I may not make them all, but I surely won’t if I don’t dream about them then plan for them.

What are your dreams?  What are you goals?

Are you with me?

 

Being a Happy Woman Being The Best Version Of Yourself Divorce Recovery Finding Happiness as a Single Woman Fresh Starts Having a Happy Life Life after Divorce Surviving Divorce Women's Lives after Divorce

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Apr 10

Some Days You Hear Sad Songs . . .

by suddenlysinglewomen

That moment when you realize that a 20+ year tradition, of one of your most favorite activities, has gone and left you behind?

That moment when all those fun memories haunt you because you have to come to realize, you’ll never have the opportunity to add to them?

That moment when you begin to come to grips with parts of your “old life” passing you by and there’s nothing you can do about it?  And people don’t really understand why it bothers you?

That moment when you try so hard not to let your heart hurt for another one of life’s disappointments?

There are going to be days like this.  You are going to have times where all you hear are the sad songs.  It’s OK.

But I promise that tomorrow you’ll feel better, I know I will.

I don’t normally “interrupt” when I’m sharing a “series” with you all, but I knew you’d understand my need to connect today, on a sad day.  Because just like that old fashioned bobber on the end of a cane pole fishing line, the weight of sadness will not keep me under water.  I’m a bobber, and I will pop right back up to that surface – because life’s sad days happen, but will never define me.

Being a Happy Woman Being The Best Version Of Yourself Divorce Recovery Finding Happiness as a Single Woman Fresh Starts Girlfriends Having a Happy Life Life after Divorce Passive Agressive Behavior Surviving Divorce Women's Lives after Divorce

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Apr 3

8.  Don’t be afraid to learn something new.

by suddenlysinglewomen

8.  Don’t be afraid to learn something new.

“As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow.  Learn as if you were to live forever.”  Life is a book and those who do not educate themselves read only a few pages.

When you know better, you live better.  Period.

And remember that all education is self-education.  It doesn’t matter if you’re sitting in a college classroom or a coffee shop.  We don’t learn anything we don’t want to learn.  Those of us who take the time and initiative to pursue knowledge on their own time are the only ones who earn a real education in this world.  Take a look at any widely acclaimed scholar, entrepreneur or historical figure you can think of.  Formal education or not, you’ll find that he or she is a product of continuous self-education.”

 

Whether you’re reading a new book on a subject you’re interested in, taking a continuing education class in a school or university, learning a new craft or skill, beginning a new job, or learning a new method in an old job – it’s learning.

Challenge your mind, challenge yourself.  Keep that brain working.  As easy as a crossword puzzle, or playing Words With Friends on your phone, your brain should never be at rest.  Like the Nike ads:  Just do it!

Being a Happy Woman Being The Best Version Of Yourself Divorce Recovery Finding Happiness as a Single Woman Fresh Starts Girlfriends Having a Happy Life Life after Divorce Surviving Divorce Women's Lives after Divorce

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