It’s been an interesting yet incredible four years…
I’ve challenged myself to embrace honesty, focusing on my ‘why’ rather than fixating on responses or outcomes for each piece I write.
It’s been therapeutic.
Life & Lemonade is my little oasis. So, here’s to more blogs and the beauty of life’s lemons.
Celebrating four years with four pieces on…
On being an older child
You live under the strictest regime your parents cultivate, but you get smarter, craftier and innovative with - excuses, white lies and chores / you parent kids you didn't birth ie your siblings and younger cousins, you hate it and love it all the same - a little taste of power early on / you've become the emotional support to your aging parents, and it's hard sometimes but equally gratifying, you school them the hardest almost bringing your life to a full circle/ you are organized, because you're a worrier, and that gives you results 85% of the time / you are almost always the voice of reason / you are the most fun - you are also the only person who thinks that / you are a favourite, but it's clandestine / you are in or will be in therapy in your 30s-40s / you are breaking a lot of societal norms, another power trip / you set boundaries and love it but are despised for it / your stuff is never just yours / you're an interest-free financial institution / most of all, you've learned to hold your own - in your family and in the world.
On oscillating between gratitude and grumbling
Some days all you have is enough / some days it's grossly insufficient / you are grateful to wake up / hate that it has to be for a job that does so much of circling back / grateful for your independence / hate the rent and mortgage that comes with it / you've learned to find gratitude in the ugliest situations because when you look around someone really does have it worse / But you can't stop grumbling about the curve balls life’s been hurling at you / you are grateful for the friends that check up on you / can't stand the number of groups you are added to / you are grateful for your family - immediate and extended / you don't shy away from grumbling about their often lack of empathy or constant questions / both are natural and expected, but never equal - Fundamentally you are grateful, but the grumbling always helps you get by
On being a (low-key) grudge holder, but saying you're not
You say you don't hold grudges, but do a little bit / a sarcastic comment / a little gossip here and there about the person, their situation / a laugh that's a bit too loud at their expense / a loud declaration that you in fact do not hold grudges / a little over-thinking / a delayed text response / an instagram story left unliked but talked about / a smirk / a little eye conversation with your bestie / you really mean no malice / you'll help when the need arises because you are only a low key grudge holder and essentially a good old soul.
On (finally) accepting your body
In an ozempic epidemic, you've accepted that this is the body that will carry you through your 70s or 2 pregnancies and you need to love it a bit more / pivoting from wanting to lose weight to trying to be healthier / muscle building over cardio / holding back from comparing yourself to others and a younger you! / Recognizing fad diets and spot reductions are straight-up lies / being intentional with what you consume, but also smashing back 5 cookies because sometimes you gotta live a little / purchasing clothes that not only fit you but make you feel comfortable and confident, instead of ones you try to fit into / setting realistic timelines to lose weight, tone the muscles or doing a complete 360 on your diet / the comparison won’t stop instantly, but the Pilates classes shouldn’t!
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