I'm so lucky!

Hi, there!  It's me.  Well, I guess the day has come; I'm starting my blog...finally.  This blog has been a work in progress for years.  This blog is different that many of my acquaintances'.  I'm not married...I don't have kids...I'm not a cook (though, I love to cook), and I'm not a savvy shopper.  I'm starting this blog with the hopes of helping people out there that read this and think, "that sounds just like me!"  I've read a lot of blogs over the years.  A lot of the ones I've read are because I was being the nosy neighbor to people I know, but most of them are stranger's blogs that comfort me in knowing that I'm not alone in my thoughts, feelings, interests, etc.  I hope that you can learn, find comfort, or just sheer entertainment from my stories.  And, in return, I hope to find comfort in knowing that others have similar anecdotes.   The header image is a photo I took years ago during a difficult time.  I was heading to dinner with some friends, feeling pretty down on myself and I stumbled across this graffiti.  It gave me some hope and made me realize that I really am lucky.   And now here I am, ready to show the world all of my imperfect glory...

Years ago, I wanted to start a blog about my online dating adventures.  I know what you're thinking, oooh juicy stories.  Well, that never happened.  Don't worry, though, I'm sure I will have plenty of these stories to share in the future that will, at the very least, provide a good chuckle.  My next blog was going to be about documenting my 50 lb. weight loss and the struggles I’ve had with my weight since a child, then complicating it more with thyroid disease in adulthood.  Unfortunately, I’m the worst at taking before and after pics and I’m pretty sure those are a requirement of dramatic weight-loss blogs.  There are many times I could have started this blog, but my current story is the one that got my fingers typing.  I’ve rewritten it over and over in my head, but I’m finding it comes out differently as I’m putting it in writing.  Here goes nothing…

At the end of last year, I started making some major lifestyle changes.  I started eating cleaner, making my own bath and body products, and just trying to eliminate many of the toxins in my life.  After years of smoking, I kicked the habit to the curb…we all know that’s not easy.  Finally, I made a huge step to reduce how much I drink.  Not only did I realize that my healthy efforts could just be flushed down the toilet with my 12 pack of Miller, but I realized I was a hypocrite for the words I was preaching to my friends and family to lead a healthier life. 

So, this blog is to document all the changes I'm making to improve ME: mind, body, and soul.  I’m scared and excited and nervous about this change all at the same time.  I have not told many people about the changes I plan to make.  I don’t like hype, especially surrounding myself.  So, I ask those of you who have gone through a similar experience, or are toying with the idea of making a lifestyle change, those of you who have said, “that sounds like me!” while reading this entry; what are some of your thoughts, feelings, worries? 

​And on that note, I will leave you with your thoughts.  Remember, we are all a work in progress.  We are all lucky and I wish all of us LUCK on the road ahead!