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How to be a “Tough Cookie”

Life | 11.21.18

Yesterday will be marked as one of the most shocking days of my 30’s in terms of my most personal autoimmune issues. But before I throw myself out on to the train tracks of social media and allow a train to hit me and impact me more than I’d like, I’m taking the time to research my options and the adjustments I must make to move out of this confused space to one of clarity.

I’ve been carrying on as though life was running it’s course, as it should, with the healthiest mindset I’ve had in quite some time. I don’t like being a victim for pity nor do I desire a false illusion about my health to be painted across Instagram as if all is well and good. They have been phenomenal. This week delivered a hard hit that I had to take a few steps back so I can move forward in a new way.

I’m a stronger believer that our hearts are behind our lungs for a reason, they need to be guarded as they’re fragile organs. Despite the recent friend break-up and unprecedented pain I took personally, professionally, and monetarily was taken advantage of by two trusted women. But like all things that cause us pain, I learned a powerful lesson that greed knows no limits.

My human and business radar (aka, my husband) predicted it from day 1 but I ignored him and I had to tell him that he was right, so we all know I’ll never live that one down.

Physically I’ve taken new steps into my diet, my fitness, my peace of mind, my ulcers… all of it. I was in full remission but my body likes to do interesting things… TBD on that.

I do receive a great amount of love and support from my Good Girls crew and they lift me just as much as my husband, mom, insta-kids, and everyone else that’s close. I’m very blessed in this capacity. I don’t reach out to them as much as I should but it’s typically because I then have to expose the parts of me that aren’t always “tough cookie” worthy.

However, I do believe that I am worthy of love and support regardless. It’s a beautiful thing that turning 36 gave me. I know I deserve the same love I give so I opened that floodgate without predicted anticipation of my new health status.

I also realize that the support that is flooding me today won’t always be there so I wanted to write a blog to myself and anyone that reads it to know it’s okay to be on a struggle bus with your life that’s running on two flat tires, low gasoline, and in standstill traffic.

Anna May Photography

Welcome to the struggle bus express, my dear! You’re going to need to save this and share it with someone you may think is going through a hard time.

(1) You deserve to make yourself a priority. If you don’t, who will?

(2) Whether that means lying in bed all day when you’re off work, do it. If you have the energy to get out of bed to go to the gym or to do a light workout at home, do it. You’re the master of your destiny. Own it!

(3) If you’re eating comfort bites of food you can keep down, eat it.

(4) Feel like crying? Cry. Just follow it with something to make yourself laugh. You need both to get through this.

(5) Reschedule your plans. Your friends will understand and if they don’t ignore them and their unempathetic souls.

(6) Read a book. Hello, escapism and healing! You’re doing all that you can to give yourself the time to breathe and live your life with days where you can do this without guilt.

(7) Put a muzzle on that monster in your brain that keeps telling you negative things about you and your life. Muzzles are meant for control, so control it.

(8) Allow yourself the time to feel like you’re enough. You know you are, and anyone that says anything different needs to hit the road like Jack.

(9) Let your time in one day be enough. Focus on that day as it will never come again. Forget yesterday and tomorrow; today is all that you have thus far.

(10) You’re breathing, right? If not, RIP. But we both know you are if you’re reading this. Acknowledge you’re doing the best you can to cope. You have to know that going forward from wherever you are right now, your struggle is real and you will survive this era; no matter how long or short.

Eventually, it will show you what you’re made of and you’re one tough cookie or one really delicious Macro Bar if you’re avoiding cookies.

Anna May Photography

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I’m a 30-something Louisville dweller and aficionado. As you browse around please note that you’re in the sanctuary of the space I call home where my writing is about life, love, and the city of Louisville. I’m honored to have you here. Thank you for visiting my space.

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• 𝓂𝑜𝓇𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝒹𝓈 • Today I choose to show up as the best “me” I can be, much like how the ocean shows us how to be. ☀️ The empowered me that battles my autoimmune diseases with radical approaches to heal all within me. 💪 The confident me. The me that handles both anything and everything the world tosses at me. 🌎 The me that faces the world with eyes of possibility, creativity, and solution. 🤩 The me with a heart full of hope and a head full of beautiful dreams. 🥰 The me that floods others with kindness and love. 🌊 The me that knows my strength is my best asset because it paves the way for all of my dreams, much like a powerful currant like the waters can be. 💛 The me that knows it will be okay. Because this life is much like water, it never stays the same as it ebbs and flows. It’s a mystical cycle that reminds us how small we are compared to the big picture of this journey called life. 🤗 How refreshing is that ocean breeze. • 𝓈𝒽𝒶𝓉𝓉𝑒𝓇𝑒𝒹 • #writersofinstagram #wanderer #transformationtuesday #bellaoflouisville ✨
{ 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒷𝒾𝓇𝓉𝒽𝒹𝒶𝓎 𝒸𝒽𝑒𝒸𝓀-𝒾𝓃 } It’s my birthday week, and while there is so much happening in our world that impacts each of us in a multitude of ways, there is still so much I’m grateful for. • I have a loving husband, kids, mom, extended family, and my fur babies. • I’m in remission with my autoimmune diseases. While I still have bad days, the good ones overshadow them. • I’m growing my career with education to continue chasing my dreams. • I have a loving roof over my head, cozy clothes on my back, and inner peace about things I cannot control. • It might not sound like much, but for me, life has given me more than I’ve ever prayed for. • I’ve “socially distanced” myself IRL and digitally with COVID to focus on family and my faith. I’m re-emerging into the world with a renewed sense of contentment and optimism. I’m ready to shed the 37-year-old shell to joyfully leap into 38 with all the hope I can muster. ✨ Cheers to this wild journey we call life! 🥃 #anotheryearwiser #cheers #celebrateeveryday
✨ 𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒 𝑔𝑜𝑒𝓈 𝑜𝓃 ✨ ✨ 𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒 𝑔𝑜𝑒𝓈 𝑜𝓃 ✨ I get by with a little help from my friends and mother nature. ☀️ #thankfulgratefulblessed to find solace and lots of laughter with great friends to push me through this week. 💛 #lifeiswhatyoumakeit #peacefulmindset #naturegram
Happy birthday, Ra-Ra! ✨ I felt the need to writ Happy birthday, Ra-Ra! ✨ I felt the need to write a strong caption, but how can I describe you or our friendship in a caption? I can’t. So much comes into my mind when I think of the growth we've both shared, witnessed, and supported. The world may keep us distanced, but you are in my mind and heart every day. LOVES YOU! 🎂🥂✨ #shewild #shefine #hurras
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