Marathon Mindset

Have you ever heard a quote and immediately rolled your eyes? Yeah, that was me the first time I heard, 

"Life is a marathon, not a sprint."

I thought:

• What does that even mean? It's all fast running.
• Yeah, whatever.

I keep saying 25 is my golden year because I have all this new found wisdom + clarity . I'm not sure where it came from but 

1. I'm grateful.
2. Better late than never.

On Thanksgiving day I ran my first and probably last half marathon. #grandopening #grandclosing It was a humbling experience to say the least. If you've never run a half marathon or any form of long distance, I should inform you now that arguably the most important thing anybody could ever tell you is to pace yourself.

If you get out too fast you will burn out and subsequently, you will not have a good race.

The same applies to life.

I think 25 has been my favorite year so far because I came into this year with absolutely ZERO expectations or goals. Initially for my birthday I had planned a squad reunion in the city but cancelled it after planning got too stressful. If you know me, you know I'm a planner. I could plan my whole life if you let me. I need some form of structure. I do not like uncertainty. I like concrete answers + resolutions.

Funny enough, if there's one thing I've learned in the last 4-5 years, it's that life is FULL of uncertainty.

What I actually did on my birthday:

• Got a deep tissue massage
• Got free chipotle with my work ID badge
• Had margaritas with my oldest sister + facetimed my second oldest sister

So simple, So good. 

Ironically, all of it was planed last minute.

On my birthday I was also laughing at a meme that said " By 25 I'll be married, have 2 degrees and own a house."

At the beginning of 25 I was:

• Single
• Living at home with my parents
• Only had one degree 
• Mentally preparing myself to start nursing school.

I remember being in undergrad plotting out the rest of my life. "Okay, I'm going to be finishing medical school, I'll be engaged, I'm going to give this man about 5 or 6 babies (only 1 girl because I can't function with too much estrogen surrounding me), my husband will be very successful and I'll be his biggest cheerleader, we're going to live in the most beautiful + peaceful Atlanta suburb and we'll have an English bulldog and a German shepherd, with a big backyard where we'll host dinner parties with all our friends."

Imagine how devastating it is to hype up your life like that and NONE of it comes to fruition by the timeline you set. 

Currently:

The midpoint of 25

• Single
• Living alone in the heart of the city 
• Almost done with my first semester of nursing school
• Super involved at school + on the state level for Nursing tings (no typo)
• Got an externship that could lead to my first Nursing job offer
• Trying to be an extrovert because as it turns out, I really like people and you kind of have to speak to people in order to become friends.
• The super cool auntie that travels sometimes
• Sometimes food blogger
• Lots of friend dates!
• Still no puppy because 16 out of 24 hours are spent on campus and I don't need PETA attacking me for being a negligent owner.

What's the point in rushing life? Are you rushing to die?

Seriously.

What's the big hurry?

Because when you really think about it, that's all you're doing by setting all these timelines.

Rushing to die.

If you're always living for the next milestone you will never truly be happy.

Your happiness should never be dependent on anything or anyone other than yourself. 

Example: You could get your dream job at a dream hospital only to realize you hate the job and the work environment.

I'm not saying don't set goals. Definitely do that. Do it often. 

But don't beat yourself up when all your friends are getting married + are getting engaged + are in long-term relationships + buying homes + having cute babies + traveling the world.

Meanwhile, you're single + busy studying erectile dyfunction medications and sex hormones.

Who you're romantically involved with shouldn't make or break you.

You're not defective just because things aren't taking place on the same timeline for you. 

Yes, it's nice to be loved by someone + have a movie buddy + brunch buddy + designated forehead kisser + tear wiper + big spoon, alladat.

However, it's not the end of the world if you don't have all of that and you're just the cool Auntie that travels sometimes + studies all the time. 

Not speaking from experience.

I definitely didn't mean to make this all about relationships but it provides a sufficient medium to get my point across. 

If nursing school has done anything for me, it has helped me get comfortable with the random curve balls life can throw at you on a daily basis.

Nursing school keeps you on your toes and you have to stay open to constant change.

You honestly have no choice but you be open to change. 

The time you waste being angry is the time you could spend learning all the blood pressure medications or re-writing a care plan with 9 interventions for ONE simple nursing diagnosis.

For me, I think I appreciate good things in life more when I don't expect them to happen.

Pleasantly surprised, almost blindsighted with good things.

Something that we should all find peace in is another cliche quote. 

"Whatever is meant to happen, will happen."

So if you're meant to go to medical school and become a Dermatologist, it'll happen.

If you're meant to have 6 babies and live in the big beautiful house off West Paces Ferry Rd with the 2 dogs, it'll happen.

And honestly, there is nothing you can do to stop it.

Things have a very funny way of working themselves out + coming full circle.

Trust me on this one. 

Have faith and trust the fact that:

1. Everything is happening the way it should.
2. Everything is happening at the rate it should.

There are no coincidences.

All of this is easier said than done, believe me!

But if my Type A personality can give it a chance, you can too.

Pace yourself.

Take time to really enjoy the "in between" stages.