This morning I did my regular catch up on what I missed on my dashboard since yesterday evening and I saw quite a few “Giving Up” or “Blog Woes” posts. It really made me feel disheartened. I’ve always been one to share overshare my life on the internet. First it was AOL then AIM then Facebook then Blogger then Twitter then Tumblr. I’ve always shared for ME. I have this weird desire to have written documentation of my life. Don’t get me wrong I totally enjoy knowing other people read my ramblings and even more joy over the people that like what I have to say or I make them laugh.
My heart really goes out to those of you that feel some sort of “pressure” on here. I guess I can’t relate. I have a good number of followers but I never rarely get questions or comments in my ask box. If any I get longer follow up on a comment from one of my “regulars.” (Yes you know you are, in my head at least I am like a waitress at your favorite restaurant and you are one of my regular customers that requests to sit in my section).
As much as I’d hate to see some of you leave our community – I’m most concerned with you being healthy all around and being the best version you can be – FLAWS AND ALL. Would I be sad to see someone like E leave us forever? Yes, but if that’s what she needs to do then I support her 100%. And maybe these “famous” fitblrs retire their tumblr and start a new one on the D/L where they can be anon and write what the what without pressure.
For me actually READING keeps me more accountable because it keeps me KNOWLEDGEABLE. I like reading about new workouts or recipes etc. I post mostly for records of what I’ve done or to write about what’s going on in my life. But HONESTLY if I never got another LIKE or comment again I’d still be doing what I’m doing because it’s for me and my health. As weird as it is my body is my temple and it’s a gift. I can’t give up on taking care of it.
I really don’t know how to wrap up this post, but since it’s my blog and I can do whatever the hell I want I’m going to post the lyrics to Baz Luhrmann’s “Sunscreen” song because they have been coming to mind as I drafted this post:
Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’97
Wear Sunscreen
If I could offer you only one tip for the future,
sunscreen would be it.
The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists,
whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience
I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth, oh nevermind,
you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they’ve faded.
But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself
and recall in a way you can’t grasp now, how much possibility lay before you
and how fabulous you really looked,
you are not as fat as you imagine.
Don’t worry about the future, or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum.
The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing everyday that scares you
Sing
Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts,
don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss
Don’t waste your time on jealousy, sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind,
the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.
Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults,
if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch
Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life,
the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22
what they wanted to do with their lives,
some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don’t.
Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.
Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children, maybe you won’t,
Maybe you’ll divorce at 40,
Maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary
What ever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either
Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s.
Enjoy your body, use it every way you can, don’t be afraid of it,
or what other people think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own
Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.
Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.
Do not read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.
Brother and sister together we’ll make it through
Someday a spirit will take you and guide you there
I know you’ve been hurtin, but I’ve been waitin’ to be there for you
And I’ll be there just helping you out whenever I can
Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings, they are the best link to your past
and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on.
Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get,
the more you need the people you knew when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard,
Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.
Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander,
you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize that when you were young
prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund,
Maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.
Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you’re 40, it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it.
Advice is a form of nostalgia,
dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off,
painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen
Brother and sister together we’ll make it through
Someday a spirit will take you and guide you there
I know you’ve been hurtin, but I’ve been waitin’ to be there for you
And I’ll be there just helping you out whenever I can
Everybody’s free oh yeah
Everybody’s free oh yeah
