When I look back on the things that I have written over the past 10 months since I started Life After Normal, I am truly amazed at how much I have changed. I started this blog as a last-ditch attempt to deal with my suffocating grief, insecurity, panic, anxiety and stress, and to try to find a light at the end of a very long and dark tunnel — and, as my former tagline stated, “Blogging is cheaper and easier than therapy”.
Many people expressed confusion at why I was doing this in such a public forum. Well, I assumed that I was not alone in what I was going through, and thought that maybe someone, some day, would find a little help or comfort in my willingness to express my feelings so openly. In addition, I figured that some of my frustrated friends who were unsure about what to do with me would get a few answers with a little insight into my whacked out head.
What I never anticipated was the outpouring of support and love that I have received from friends and total strangers — not only in response to my obvious grief over my brother’s suicide, but also just the day-to-day challenges of life for a 30-something, self-employed vegan attempting to navigate the unexpected. This virtual community of old and new friends has supported me as I try to deal with my pain, as I failed in balancing work and life, as I ventured out on my own professionally, and so much more.
Thank you. I wish I could do this as a full-time job (although I am sure many of you are glad that I can’t!!).
One of the great things about venturing into the so-called blogosphere is finding others with similar ideas, challenges, life expectations and disappointments — and watching friends, old and new, decide to dip a toe in and take the plunge for themselves. One example is my college friend, sorority sister, and former co-partner in crime, Stoopmama. If you haven’t checked out her blog, go do it now please. I’ll wait while you visit.
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Welcome back! Clearly you read Stoopmama’s recent post “This is how (why) we do it.” and saw her so graciously bestow this lovely “award” to me:
Feel the love!! Share the love!
Part of this “award” requires I write seven things about myself nobody really knows. Clearly I haven’t over-shared enough through this blog, so why stop now? <please note sarcasm>
Without further ado, here are seven things you may or (more likely) may not know about me.
- I think watermelon is vile. Same with honeydew. Cantaloupe, however, rules.
- I know I drink entirely too much wine. And I don’t care.
- My very first crush was Simon Le Bon from Duran Duran. I was eight. Looking back, I find it a bit creepy.
- When I am driving by myself, I am completely ADD with the radio. I can’t listen to a song for more than 30 seconds before finding something else on Sirius or my iPod. I think this is why I usually listen to ESPNRadio.
- I am really really really close to shifting my Buffalo Bills loyalty 100 percent to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Thisclose.
- If I could do it all over again, I would have taken more chances in my education and career. Meaning, I wouldn’t have taken the “safe” path to a guaranteed paycheck and health insurance. I would have focused on photography, music, and/or art, and then taken the leap (and potential risk) to see where it went. I think I would have been much happier pursuing this path.
- As cheesy as it sounds, I don’t think I will ever be able to articulate how glad I am that Facebook etc. emerged and allowed me to re-connect with so many friends from my past (such as Stoopmama herself) that otherwise, I likely never would have heard from or seen again. Some of my closest friends today are thanks to these re-connections.
Another part of this award is to spread the love to others who blog and you deem worthy enough to follow. Yay! So please check out/visit/love these other blogs that I have the pleasure to read, and support the lovely women behind them. (why is it that all my blogger friends are girls? come on guys … every now and then I’m sure you have something interesting to say too. Well, maybe.)
So, there you have it. Stay tuned for more over-sharing and shameless self promotion!
* If you’re visiting to collect your award, here’s a recap of what to do now:
- Thank the person who gave you the award by linking back to them in your post
- Tell us seven things about yourself
- Award a few recently discovered bloggers
- Contact those bloggers and let them in on the exciting news!
Who the hell eats honeydew? So vile. Even the name is bizarre.
The poor, poor Bills. I wouldn’t blame you for moving your loyalty entirely. They’re just sad. 🙂 (JETS, baby)
Great post, Laura. Really nice. Hope you’re keeping well.