Sometimes I Forget My Mom is Just a Girl
Who would’ve thought that a random video on the internet would make me see my mother completely differently?
If you’re a parent, I need to know if you have this completely irrational but also deeply logical fear. Specifically, that if you and your partner leave without your kids, that something bad will happen and your kids will end up as orphans.
My husband and I went out of town this weekend—just the two of us, which sounds amazing until you realize we were both on the same plane. Because like, what if this plane goes down and we both die and the kids are left parentless and my mom has to explain that we loved them deeply, but clearly not enough to fly separately like responsible, mildly paranoid adults.
My husband thinks I’m insane, but I call it being proactively prepared for any and all events. Someone please tell me I’m not alone.
Oh okaayyy.
I went back and read The Comfort Book this week. As a kindle and audiobook consumer, I highly recommend the hard copy of this book. It's one of those books you will want to highlight and return to, and definitely a book that would make a great gift. Sharing a few things I highlighted:
The Sky isn't more beautiful if you have perfect skin. Music doesn't sound more interesting if you have a six-pack. Dogs aren't better company if you're famous. Pizza tastes just as good regardless of your job title. The best of life exists beyond the things we are encouraged to crave.
And this paradox…
A therapist once told me that the most common complaint he heard from his patients was the feeling that they didn't belong. The feeling of being an imposter, or of being outside things, of not fitting in. Of failing to connect easily with people. I found this as reassuring as it was paradoxical. That one of the most common feelings among people was that feeling of not fitting in among people. The comfort, then, is the weird truth that in one sense we have most in common with others when we feel awkward and alone.
And this resonated deeply..
Once upon a time I felt pressure not to let people down. I stayed doing work I hated. Went to parties I didn't really want to be at. Saw people I found agonizingly hard to converse with. Faked every smile. And then my mind exploded. After which I realized it is better to let people down than to blow yourself up.
(In order from left to right)
The Business Trip: This book has been hyped all over TikTok. Not my favorite thriller, but it was good I enjoyed it. Definitely a quick and easy read.
The Better Sister: This isn’t out yet but it looks so good. I saw the trailer this week and have it bookmarked.
Who would’ve thought that a random video on the internet would make me see my mother completely differently?