Yes Steph

Inspired by my friend Carolyn and reading the book Yes Man, in the past month I have been working on becoming a person who says "yes" to life more.  I am a Yes Steph.

Of course, I'm not saying yes to EVERYTHING, but I am trying my hardest to say yes to the things I actually want to do.  Here's the thing, as I've expressed before, I have a long list of things I have always wanted to do, but always found reasons not to do them.  Here's how my mind works:  Let's say there is an arts event at the local library.  It would be a super cool thing to see.  I'm totally excited that they are offering such a cool experience FOR FREE.  So what do I do?  I think.  And think.  And here's what my brain tells me.  "Well no one will want to go with you.  And you can't make Hubby go because who will watch the kids?  You can't ask your family to babysit because it's a weeknight and they will have to work the next day.  And you can't go alone.  You won't know anyone.  And everyone else will know other people.  You'll be alone and no one will talk to you and you will feel awkward.  Then it won't be very much fun, will it?  Oh, and do you REALLY want to drive downtown AT NIGHT?  You will get lost.  Then you might get mugged."  And so on and so forth.

So I have decided to start questioning all of those things my brain has told me.  I am beginning to say yes to myself.  Yes, it WILL be fun!  Maybe I will make a new friend.  And if not, it's not the worst thing in the world to be alone for a little while.

So far I've gotten lucky and I haven't been alone, I have had a friend to join me on my little adventures.  So far I've been to a couple of concerts that I otherwise would have talked myself out of going to.  I'm signed up for a couple of fitness classes that I never would have done before (come September, I will experience the pure hell that is fitness bootcamp-- I can't wait!).  And I've learned to appreciate beer and wine.  Sure, the line between connoisseur and alcoholic is very thin, but luckily I'm learning to balance my alcoholism with my fitness goals.

It's funny because I have spent so long telling myself that I CAN'T do things.  No money, no time, no one to do it with, etc.  But when you tell yourself you CAN, all of the sudden all of those excuses work themselves out.  And if this can work with little things like taking a fitness class or going to a bar for a kick-ass concert, what else can it work for?  What if, all of those life goals I have chalked up as unattainable really aren't?  What if I COULD make money while being a stay at home mom?  What if I COULD be good at educating my children at home?  What if I COULD pay off my student loans, buy a new car, and have the money for a super great vacation?  Maybe the world is my oyster after all.