HBD.

Since it’s my B-day ( HEY FELLOW SCORPIOS!!! ) I figured I’d compile a little list of “Nitpicks at 36”. (Here’s the thing: blogging is fun because I imagine my daughter growing up & being able to see that I was a creative and a “COOL MOM”. I’m still hip to the game. Damn it. But why do my knees hurt now when I run long distance now or why do I get sleepy at 9 pm every day? OMG, I am getting old .. so if anything, this could potentially be a cool post for Mariah to read and discover these life lessons earlier than later like I have).

So here’s what I got:

1.) YOU ARE GOING TO GET criticized NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO, SO DO WHAT YOU LOVE.

Honestly, this is number one for a reason. No matter where I’ve been in life, people seem to have their opinion about me. “OMG, she posts weird stuff. Why is she into comics, that’s so nerdy. She’s not gonna be anything in the future”. If I had listened to every piece of negative feedback, I wouldn’t be as creative as I think I am and would have attempted to stay in accounting classes. Yes, I thought I wanted to be an accountant. Boy, was I totally wrong. We’ve all been criticized at one time or another. You gotta do what you want to do, & either way someone, somewhere will have something to say. That's why they are called “HATERS”. If you don’t want to be criticized, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.

2.) MEL, YOU'RE PRETTY why are you still SINGLE?

Because I been there, done that, and learned that f’ing lesson. “The Secret to change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” -Socrates. I am trying to work on being in love with myself and the person that stares back at me in the mirror who has been through so much but is still standing. I know the right guy who will accept me for me and we will eventually come around and it will be such a magically moment riding off into the desert on white horses and live happily ever after. Who am I kidding, that guy will have to like binge-watching Netflix with me in sweats, learn to love my Scorpio ways (EEK! on our attitudes), be supportive of the crazy ideas I have from time to time, and like it! And, of course, has to have the approval of my daughter. 

3.) BEING A BITCH GETS YOU NOWHERE. BE NICE.

We’ve all been there. I had a moment where I felt that someone was trying to get me in trouble at work for I don't know maybe for jealousy reasons and all I can think about was going New Yorker on her ass, but it took everything in my power to not stoop to her level (think my age is taking a toll on me) … so I had to let it go like Frozen.

Being a bitch is ugly. Smile, be gracious, be kind, & be humble. We all are trying to win. (I am not worried about you Mariah, you have more heart than your mommy). 

4.) YOU NEVER KNOW…

Oh geez. Don’t judge until you’ve walked in someone’s shoes. People assume they know everything about me because a lot of my life is showcase through social media. They don’t. In fact, they don’t know 80% of my past or my life. I have had MANY bumps in the road. MANY. No one has seen my struggles, & that’s ok with me but to judge without knowing isn’t far. Life online looks flawless, #blessed, & glamorous. Trust me, we all have stories that we like to remain a closed book.

5.) YOU CANNOT CHANGE PEOPLE.

This is PROBABLY THE HARDEST THING EVER FOR ME. For years I would try to control the outcome of family drama, friendships, work, etc. This year I’ve realized that ‘it is, what it is’. Me trying to control the situation & change people into something they’re not is pointless. It’s a waste of breath. People are who they are. People are set in their ways for their own reasons.

6.) DON'T EXPECT EVERYONE TO DO EVERYTHING FOR YOU.

If you want something to happen, get off your ass & make it happen. If you want to be in a better relationship, work on yours or get out & say BYE. (I’m still learning hard on this). 

Obviously, this is a list of things that I need to work on daily because I’m not perfect by any means & need reminders! I’m not preaching, just sharing my thoughts as I age!

Happy 36th Birthday Mel. You're still making it.  -xo Mel