“I’d Dance Alone In Public And Not Give A Damn”: Advice I’d Give My Pre-Pandemic Self
By: Laura J. Wellington
If I had the opportunity to go back in time and give myself one piece of advice pre-pandemic, I just couldn’t do it. I simply couldn’t choose between all the tidbits of wisdom that I’ve gained during this time. Each is monumental and will play a role in shaping my future. Never one to be confined, I won’t do so to my words or my desire to help others through them. You are getting all ten:
1. Dance alone in public and don’t give a damn what others think
“Feeling self-conscious” and robbing yourself of a good time will make you wish you had taken the opportunities presented to you. Don’t give into fear. GO FOR IT!
2. Walk up to the adorable guy and hand him your number
You won’t lose anything by doing this, besides losing the feeling of not knowing what could have been. Go find out what could be!
3. Remove the timer from family time
Lingering around the table with loved ones without worrying about what needs to get done next should become a priority, not a luxury. You surely will miss it when it’s gone.
4. Skip the “run” and play “sooner”
It’s important to be responsible, but its alsp important to “self-joy” and create memories. No one remembers doing laundry, but they do remember beach time with the kids.
5. Make the trip
Allowing distance or laziness to deter you from something you want or need to do equates with stealing from your personal welfare. It can also land you in a rut. Push yourself out the door and have that lunch in the new spot you’ve always wanted to try. You will be happy you did, and it may even help stop depression.
6. Close your friend circle
Devote more time to the friends who truly matter, and less time to casual friends. The former will be the ones who stick around during life’s difficult moments and will make them more bearable. Quality over quantity, always.
7. Enjoy the 10am Margarita
Not everyday, but while on vacation. Too many of us take vacations only to never truly let go of the reins while away. Don’t squander this valuable leisure time.
8. Work harder to mend broken fences
Because tomorrow isn’t guaranteed to anyone and you will regret not trying.
9. Take life less seriously
Humor is power, internally and externally. Learn to laugh and you will give life someone to reckon with.
10. Stop fixing yourself
Obsessing over “perfection” is such a time suck and mental drain. Yes, self-improvement is important, but so is accepting yourself as you are. Strike a reasonable balance for yourself, and then move on.
Now do you understand why I couldn’t leave my advice to just one tip? Frankly, I could add plenty of more points to this list but perhaps, another post, another time. For now, I suggest you ponder these. Consider how you will factor them into your own life, today and when we all finally move beyond the pandemic. In the immortal words of the famed group “Disturbed” in their song “The Light” (one of my personal favorites): “Sometimes darkness, can show you the light.”
So very true…and on that note, I feel inspired to dance. No partner required.
Laura J. Wellington is the founder of THREAD MB, the author of “Be Careful What You Wish For”, a TEDx speaker, an award-winning children’s television creator and a mother of five.
Laura J. Wellington’s book, “Be Careful What You Wish For” can be ordered here.
“I am an avid reader. By that I mean I love books and cannot be without one. A good book can take you to places you have never been or teach a new skill. A great book can change your life. This is a great book! After suffering a tragic, life altering loss I wasn’t sure I could finish Laura Wellington’s book. “Be Careful What You Wish For” – How many times have I heard this in different contexts? Too many times–but not like this. From the first page I was swept into a world that was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. I couldn’t help questioning the ideas of fate and destiny and what part they played in my own life. The ending (or is it just the beginning?) will leave you breathless and wondering, is it worth the pain to open oneself to such vulnerability? As one who was and is experiencing this same pain and vulnerability, I would answer YES. The alternative would be to miss “The Dance”. Thank you Laura for this well written, heart wrenching but life affirming story. I highly recommend it!” – Life Affirming (Amazon 5 stars)
