Back to the point - he wrote this blogpost about how his life wasn't going how he wanted it to, and so he decided he'd do seven things to reboot his life.
Me? I'm less aspirational. I've spent too long thinking that a few changes will make me like this:
But ending up like this:
I'm a growed up lady and well past the point where I think it could all be different. Besides, my life is generally pretty good. My kid seems to be growing up into an interesting, ethical, intelligent person. My husband still seems to like me pretty well. I'm making it work professionally.
But, my body hurts a lot and I feel like I'm always running out of time.
This is likely because I spend too much time, as the French might say, farting around. Sipping a drink and clicking around on the Internet. A little focus, a little discipline, and maybe I could grab control of my own personal Enterprise. So, inspired by Wil Wheaton, here's my list:
1) Exercise daily
2) Stretch
3) Drink less alcohol
4) Write more
5) Read more
Let's tick them off.
1 and 2 go together. I, like I'm pretty sure every single lady who has ever lived, have spent a good chunk of valuable time hating the way I look. For all of my 20s and 30s, eating better and exercising were all tied up with GET SKINNY, YOU GODDAMN LOSER OR YOU WILL NEVER DESERVE LOVE! But, here into my 40s, I've decided that GET SKINNY, LOSER is maybe not the best way to approach physical health. Some might suggest yoga. I haaaaaaaate yoga. Here's me at every yoga class:
But I can stretch. I can spend 20 minutes a day just stretching out a little. I can spend 30 minutes a day bumping up my heart rate, getting moving. And to make sure I am consciously not doing it under the auspices of GET SKINNY, LOSER. It's a losing proposition, and not the way I want it to be. As I told my sainted mother when she was here over the weekend, "I'd sure like to weigh 20 pounds less. But not enough to diet." I am at peace with my spare tire.
But I can bend and move and shake my body with the goal of feeling looser and more energetic. That I can do. I will also continue eating. Carbs.
3. Alcohol. I really love alcohol. I love the way it tastes. I love the ritual and treat of it. I don't want an alcohol-free life But moderation is key. Right, Wesley?
Wesley might not be on board with his one. But I am. No more wine with dinner. No more cocktails with the laundry. But every night at 9:00, I'll pour a whiskey over ice and take it to my bed, where I'll watch TV for an hour or so before sleeping. This is how I end my days. Like a boss.
4 and 5. Reading and writing. Writing is good for me. I use it to air out the cobwebs, silence the voices inside my head. Burnish the intellect. And nothing makes you a better writer than reading. If I were still aiming for reinvention, I'd probably try to commit to tackling Proust or The Brothers Karamazov. Maybe Ulysses. But, shit, you guys, I'm tired. I work hard. My days are already a long slog of obligation. I'm not studying on turning reading into another one. I'm reading strictly for fun. I just finished The Gunslinger by Stephen King. I'm now on what looks to be an awesome bent domestic drama by Lauren Groff. If I want to read 17 YA novels in a row because I like 'em, that's cool.
You're not better than me, Data, with your big old positronic brain. You've only ever read Dickens - but you never felt him. (did that sound just a little dirty?)
So this is the plan. Who knows if I'll be successful? Will I actually manage to ease up on the farting around and live just a little more purposefully?
Lucky you! Since, I do plan to write more, I'll let you know!
