#347. caffeine, coming out, and kindness being incredibly cool

Age: 27

Relationship Status: Very single and starting to feel okay about that (a work in progress for sure!)

Occupation: Occupational Therapist

Income: Enough to pay my bills and also enjoy dinners out, a few workout classes a month, and occasional trips.

Astrological Sign: Pisces

How are you, really?

I’m doing okay! Each day ebbs and flows, and I’m learning to find the good in each day. It makes a difference, I think.

What is the greatest change you’ve made this year?

Going to workout classes and trying new things. I started doing yoga once a week, and recently did an indoor cycling class, and I’m learning that you don’t have to know what you’re doing, you need to go. The hardest part is the going part. Also, if you get there early enough, you can usually get a spot in the far back.

What is something you hope never changes?

I hope that I never lose touch with my friends. I’m incredibly grateful for the friendships I’ve made throughout my lifespan.

When do you feel most capable?

After making someone’s day just a bit easier, sometimes all it takes is helping them fix their coffee maker to ease someone’s worries.

How do you nurture yourself?

Cooking! It’s so easy to order out, but I feel so much better when I make my own food. Mind and body-wise!

How do you nurture others?

Being patient with others.

Is there anything you wish you had said but didn’t?

I wish that after I came out to my mom as gay and she said, “We’ll talk more about this”, and had the courage to sit down with her and tell her everything. Instead, I brushed it off, and we haven’t spoken about it in four years. I wish I were braver in that sense.

What is something that turns you on?

Good human beings. It sounds so silly, but genuine kindness is incredibly cool.

What is something that turns you off?

Not being respectful of people’s feelings, thoughts, and ideas.

When was the last time you walked away from something that no longer served you?

I was talking to someone for a bit, and I wasn’t sure how she was feeling about me. I kept pushing off asking the question. After a while, I realized that we were just looking for different things, and both of us are valid for that. At some point, you have to respect yourself enough to walk away.

How often do you feel you achieve balance?

Pretty often! Fortunately, I love my career, and I feel like I have the perfect balance of work/life. In my mind, there are so many more aspects to you than your career (and it makes a world of difference when you enjoy what you do!).

What is one risk you took that resulted in reward?

I recently signed a new lease on an apartment closer to where I want to be. I’ll let you know how it goes!

When do you feel most overwhelmed?

Having to make a decision in a short time frame.

How do you move forward?

Remembering that not everything has to be figured out today. Sometimes I get stuck in this mindset that everything has to be solved right away. You have time, let yourself feel it and take it day by day. Journaling helps, too.

What is something that will always make you laugh?

Listening to my nephews tell jokes.

What is something that will always make you cry?

I’m the youngest of a big family, and my parents are a bit older now. Luckily, they take really good care of themselves, but thinking that they may get limited time with my future kids definitely upsets me because I know just how much of an impact my grandparents had on my own life.

Have you ever been betrayed?

Fortunately, no.

What is your greatest temptation?

Caffeine. Currently, I drink three shots of espresso in the morning just to function, and I’m really trying to get it down to two shots of espresso a day.

What is one thing you feel is missing from your current life?

A partner. I wish I could say something else, but just a person to share my dinners with, walks around the block, and maybe split rent with sounds pretty nice.

What is one thing you can’t get enough of?

Funny people. Getting into a good bit with someone. Good banter.

BONUS: Tell me something good.

Life is so long! You’re never too old to circle back to something you’ve always wanted to try.