#373. getting tattoos, advocating for yourself & having tough conversations

Age: 40

Relationship Status: married

Occupation: educator, activist, content creator, instructional designer

Income: 84,000

Astrological Sign: Leo

If you had an extra hour each day, what would you do with it?

Sleep!!

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

My dad once told me that I am not better than anyone else and to always respect people who are different from me.

What is the worst piece of advice you have ever received?

To stay in teaching because of the great benefits.

When have you felt most accepted?

When I stopped caring about what everyone thought about me all the time and started living for me.

When have you felt most supported?

When I was at my lowest. I’m thankful to have amazing family and friends who recognize when I’m at my low point and work to support me in getting better.

Is there anything you are avoiding?

There are some tough conversations I need to have, and I suck at confrontation, so I’ve been avoiding those.

Have you ever confronted a fear? How did it go?

Getting a tattoo. I was always so scared of the pain and what my (now) ex-husband would think. Once I got divorced, I got my first tattoo, and now I have 6. Waiting on getting some tattoo money saved up for more!

What is one promise that you have kept to yourself?

To not live life with regrets.

What is one promise that you have kept to someone else?

I am a good listener and keep secrets and promises - I have always held on to them.

How do you cope with stress?

Medications, listening to music, taking a gummy

What is a moment you are most proud of?

Starting my podcast 3 years ago!

How do you celebrate yourself?

This one needs some work - I usually buy myself a little something, but I’m not good at celebrating myself.

What is something that you feel like you have to earn?

Trust - both personally and professionally. In the work I do, I need to earn people’s trust that I will provide honest, evidence-based education.

What is something you feel like you are inherently worthy of?

Love (that’s one that took me a bit to realize)

When was the last time you changed your mind?

Oh goodness, it happens so often I can’t even remember!

Is there anything you wish you could take back?

When I was younger, I was a lot more impulsive and said some things in the heat of the moment that were hurtful. I’d take those back.

What does being true to yourself mean?

It means living for you and what makes you happy and letting go of the pressure society puts on you to be a certain way. It means accepting the parts of yourself that aren’t your favorite, whether it’s your stretch marks, chronic pain, or illness. They still make you who you are, and that’s an amazing person to be.

When do you feel in control?

Working my own business and doing things the way I want to do them.

When do you feel out of control?

Being a mom has made me feel the most out of control. Even when I thought I had all the answers and knew what I was doing, it turned out my kiddo knew better!

Finish this sentence: It’s my life and…

I only have one chance to live it, so I’m going to live it up!

BONUS: Tell me something good.

I’m finally on the right dosages and medications for my anxiety and ADHD. It’s all because I advocated for myself and got hormone therapy for my perimenopause symptoms!