Quit Trying to Fit

A list of reminders for myself I am making public

Photo by Art Institute of Chicago on Unsplash | also, me when I am overthinking

1. Quit trying to fit into: institutions, other peoples imaginations, your old journals, and your favorite pair of jeans you thrifted 5 years ago.

   Try to see the world through other peoples experiences. It will make you softer and kinder to your neighbor. And maybe even yourself.

2. Write more—lists, notes, letters, journal entries, songs, Substack posts.

   Quit social media. Please.

3. Keep talking to Jesus, moving your body, engaging with nature, and other things that require something of you that is uncomfortable or stretching.

4. Let go of the “woe is me” thing you’ve held onto like a security blanket. WOW is you. Wow > woe. Also, quit comparing yourself to the whole wide world. It’s too big for you. Look around and say, hey, wow, I’m here and you’re here, that’s amazing!

5. Quit Halloween costumes and parties. (Sorry to all those who delight in dressing up. It stresses me out and I wanna be cool and love it but I don’t. I just don’t.)

6. Quit RUSHING.

   Deep breath. Exhale. Hey look, you’re breathing! Sloowwwwww dooowwwwn. Look:

   

   Here is a common reed on the ecological trail of Shelby Bottoms park. Have you been weighed down by the whole world? Can you imagine this reed carrying it all? Of course not.

7. Don’t forget your meds, especially your daily chill pill.

Photo by Europeana on Unsplash