Single and Knowing Your Own Worth

Being a single person you can certainly get bombarded with clichés. There are the “supportive you’ll find someone eventually” clichés… It will happen when you least expect it, or just stop looking and they’ll find you. Then there are the other clichés, “the not so hopeful relationships are overrated” clichés, trust me you’re not missing out on anything, or it’s better because you don’t have to care. I don’t have to care? Are you kidding me? Honestly the main pit fall for single persons is that we care too much! We so desperately want to love someone and have them love us we jump heart first! The results are almost always disastrous! Falling too hard and too fast is something that is glorified in movies, books, and music, yet is completely inappropriate, and honestly horrifying for the other person in real life.

Too hard too fast!!!

I certainly know a thing or two about falling too hard and too fast. My first experience with this was probably around the age of 15, horrible age no? He was older, cooler, seemed to like me too, and was oh so cute. We talked a long while, and it seemed like he should make a move any day now and ask me out. Well he didn’t, he ignored me completely, then got himself a girlfriend (weird enough she sort of looked like me). I was crushed! I wondered what I did wrong, why didn’t he like me, and all the other things that cross a heartbroken 15 year olds mind. I eventually realized what he did was downright rude and I was much better off without him.

I wasn’t this mean…I just thought it was really funny.

Then  I was around 18 and a new guy came along…he was older, cooler, and crazy cute too. He and I talked a lot, sending messages to each other basically every other day, sharing our likes and dislikes, telling story after story, and asking question after question. I just “knew” things would work out for me this time, how could they not? He obviously liked me and we had soooo much in common! Well surprise surprise, things didn’t work out. He too gradually alienated me, no explanation, just a complete shut out. I was crushed again and couldn’t believe it! How could this be? We were so perfect for each other! Well this one took a long while to get over, ice cream and cookies were consumed, tears fell, and sad country songs were sung..horribly I might add, but I did eventually get over him. I realized it was through no fault of my own that things didn’t work out. I mean it hurt as bad as it did partly because I cared “too much”. But it wasn’t all my fault, and that felt great to know.

There have since been guys that caught my attention, as well as a bit of my heart. But obviously since I am still single it’s safe to say no relationship has worked out yet. I’m fine with it though, I really truly am! This doesn’t mean I have given up on the idea of eventually finding someone, it’s just I’m perfectly happy with my life. I don’t get anywhere near as devastated when things don’t go the way I wanted them too. Being single is not the worst thing in the world…the worst thing in the world is not knowing you own worth. I realized that’s why I had hurt so much when I was let down. I thought that it had must’ve been my fault. When in reality it wasn’t. I’m not saying that every relationship failure you have is not your fault, what I am saying though is learn from that experience, and know what you have to offer. Know your own worth, and enjoy your life to the fullest whether you’re with someone or not. I can expect to have my heartbroken a few more times because well… that’s life. But in the meantime I will be living it to the fullest, and will not be measuring my success in life by relationship status.

 What are some of the heartaches you’ve gone through? How did you get over them? Are you currently in the process of getting over someone? I would love some feedback on the topic, hearing from you guys is always a highlight of my day! Hope you all enjoyed the post, and wishing you all a very happy Monday!

You Might Be An Artist If…

The fabulous comedian Jeff Foxworthy has made a whole routine about “You might be a redneck if…” Funny and ashamedly enough I have found instances where I was indeed a redneck. One of the jokes goes something like “You might be a redneck if you have several cars in your driveway but the only thing mobile is your home” this was in fact true for the first few years of my life. I have managed to accept some my Texas redneck ways, but one thing I sort of struggled with was identifying myself as an artist, I mean artists are painters, sketch artists, musicians, certain types of photographers, and writers, I am none of these. But friends and family have told me that being  the photographer that I am did indeed make me an artist. This last week I realized how much of an artist I am…No this is not me bragging on how gorgeous my latest portrait is, in fact it is me making light of the silly habits I have. So here is my spin on a classic comedy set up.

You might be an artist if…

You sometimes entertain the idea of being homeless.

No not the have to sleep in cardboard box kind of hobo, but the kind that jumps on trains and takes up odd jobs so you can travel and see the world…even if it isn’t so glamorous.

You constantly worry that you are just a hack, and anyone with half a brain could do what you.

What if I’m just not original enough???

The idea of packing it all in and getting yourself a “proper” career crosses your mind daily.

Consisent pay and benefits are quite tempting.

If you keep a notepad full of artistic ideas, but honestly it’s mostly gibberish.

What the heck did I write???

A nervous breakdown is commonplace for you.

 A little sobbing is therapeutic right?

You understand why artist are often drunks.

It’ll help my art right? I’ll drink to that.

After all the horrible insecurities manifest you realize you have unique point of view, and decide to stick it out like a beast, because nothing makes you happier than your art!

So whether you are a worldwide success or merely accomplished by your own standards, understand that you worked hard to get where you are, or that you are working to get somewhere. Know your worth and keep your head high because it’s so worth it!

I hope you all enjoyed this post, and if you have any similar feelings please feel free to share. I love feedback! Happy Friday and an equally happy weekend to you all!

Lifting Your Spirit.

 This past week I was going through a bit of a blue funk, you know the ones that show up for no real reason, and seem to just suck the life out of you? No one likes to be unhappy…but I am one of those people who really can’t stand it, I feel whiny and obnoxious as heck. So I decided to lift my spirits with a few simple techniques, and I am feeling so much better that I thought I might share these tips with all of you.

Realize how you feel is temporary and that you are going to get over it.

Things will get better I promise.

Treat yourself to something special…no I am not saying turn into someone who fills the void in their life with things. I am saying indulge a little, nothing too crazy but something you don’t always do.

I treated myself to some Starbucks…I basically never go to starbucks so it was nice to indulge in some chocolate beverage therapy.

Laugh! Laughter is the best medicine after all. 

I watched Jim Gaffigan’s comedy special Mr Universe and laughed my head off.

Then I watched The Marx brothers’ movie Duck Soup! I laughed so hard my stomach hurt…that’s just how hilarious this movie is. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone!

Get some sun.

Since the season Texas currently is in is Hell… oops I mean summer I kept the sunning to a minimum (less than 5 minutes) even though I was not able to stay out in the sun for very long I immediately noticed an improvement in my mood.

Get movin!

Now if running is not your thing take a walk or jog, but get out and get moving. Trust me the endorphins are totally worth it.

Socialize!

There is nothing like friends to lift your mood. Even if you’re not able to actually go and see your friend/friends call them up and chat. Never have I talked/hung out with friend and found myself upset afterwards, friends are great for listening to your problems and bringing you past them!

I hope you found some of this information to be helpful, and if any of you have some mood lifting techniques feel free to share. Happy Monday love you guys!