Something Uncomfortable: Day 127

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A friend of mine invited my kids and me to have a picnic after the last Summer Fun class this week. She also invited other people. Clearly God is trying to break this social anxiety thing I’ve got going on. I mean, I just can’t get away from this stuff… and I’m glad. Believe it or not, I actually like people. I’m just shy and awkward around people I don’t know well. OK and sometimes around the ones I do know well.

I accepted the invite to the picnic AND I made arrangements for a bit of a field trip next week with the same people. Both should be fun. I’m looking forward to being uncomfortable… sort of ;)

What is God having you work on right now?

Something Uncomfortable: Day 124

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It’s the day of the wedding! And I’m uncomfortable! I will be in a dress, surrounded by people I don’t know, and my kids have lingering colds which has made them challenging to deal with all week. ARGHHHHH!!!!!

In some weird way, I’m kind of excited. Adam is living his social butterfly dream by being a groomsman. My kids can’t remember the last wedding they were at, so they are excited for the “new” experience (especially since I told them that there will be cake and dancing.) And I don’t have to cook dinner… Yay!

I’ve been getting ready in stages. I’m dealing with small people… you have to do what you can while you can. But here’s where I’m at so far: 

I just did my hair, don’t worry it will fall some. When it does I have to decide if I should leave it alone or use a sparkly bobby pin to pull the bangs back. I also need lipstick. But you get the idea.

I’m trying to be as positive as can be and I’m trusting that God will help it all run smoothly.

What do you need to trust God for today?

Something Uncomfortable: Day 123

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We went to the waterpark today. Someone I don’t know started talking to me. This is normally uncomfortable for me, but it’s especially awkward when I’ve got the grumpies. Apparently the Sepia had started working and I was able to manage talking to her. She was really nice. I’m glad she approached me.

My daughter thought it would be fun to watch Mommy go down one of the big slides. I haven’t been on a slide in years. I was on the swim team in high school, so the water isn’t the problem. My fear of heights has gotten increasingly worse through the years. The last time I climbed the stairs to go down a slide, I got dizzy, nearly passed out and was told by the lifeguard to walk down the stairs – awesome. 

Today I went down the medium slide that is on top of a hill. I was a little nervous, but had fun. And my kids thought I was so cool! Maybe I can work up the courage to climb the stairs before the summer is over…

Since my daughter asked me to go on a slide, I asked her to go under the mushroom waterfall. She agreed as long as I went with… I took off my glasses and off we went. She thought it was so much fun that I had a hard time getting her away from it.

Not bad for a day with the grumpies!

What fear do you need to face today?

Something Uncomfortable: Day 115

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Functioning is uncomfortable for me today.

We were up all night with my son 2 nights ago. He’s sick and had a few asthma attacks but he’s doing better now. I’m physically exhausted.

The Fourth of July and the week surrounding it are always challenging. I’m emotionally exhausted.

And because I’m so tired, my relational skills are suffering. I’m socially exhausted.

Bleh! None the less, I am NOT in bed in the fetal position crying. Instead I am forging ahead. I’ve made granola and worked out this morning. And now I’m going to tackle bookwork. Bleh!

What is your something uncomfortable today?

Something Uncomfortable: Day 113

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My husband is in a wedding next weekend. He’s wearing a tux. Which means I have to wear a dress. I hate wearing dresses. Since I won’t wear it again, I refuse to spend much money on one. But I would like to look nice and not like some sad soul with two children that Adam took pity on and brought along for the meal.

The Strappy Shoes

The Dress

Finding the dress has been an uncomfortable process. I was hoping to wear an I-can-hide-in-a-black-burlap-sack-kind-of-dress. When a friend told me I could buy the dress she got on clearance for $30 that she wasn’t able to use, I thought I could help her out and get a dress at a great price. 

Because the dress is made of pale yellow lace, I didn’t even want to try it on. Strangely, it looks pretty good on me... I think. But it needed some sprucing up. I added the black ribbon belt. My mom let me borrow her fancy strappy shoes that will require a trip to the chiropractor. I have earrings that work. And I even have my grandmother’s vintage clutch that matches the shoes.

The Vintage Clutch

I tried on the ensemble this morning… with a black bra. I actually really like the idea of the straps. Partly because it’s cute and partly because adding straps would eliminate the need to purchase a $60 strapless bra. So I’m going to buy thin ribbon that matches the belt and add some straps. 

  

I’m also going to get my hair professionally cut this afternoon. It’s been over 2 years since someone with a license has taken scissors to my hair. To those of you have been looking at the mess that is my hair… you’re welcome! 

All this to say, I’m uncomfortable. And showing you the pictures makes me want to vomit.

Do you ever take fashion risks? Or do you hide where it’s comfortable?

Is It a Hill Worth Dying On?

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This past year has been so emotionally charged for me. There have been two deaths in our family, difficult health situations, emotional reunions, new exposure to old wounds and plenty of unintentionally hurt feelings. As someone who naturally ruminates about everything for long periods of time, I’ve found this year to be particularly difficult.

Obviously, we cannot control what life throws our way. BUT we can control how we react to things. Over the last several days, I have been reflecting on how I want to react especially when I experience interpersonal conflict. Here’s what I’ve come up with:

• Realize and remember people are not out to get me (most of the time).
• Determine if the conflict is a hill worth dying on. If it is, go to the person and deal with it directly. If it isn’t, evaluate the situation and see what I can learn about myself from it.
• Determine if I do the same thing to others. If I do… I need to stop.
• Honestly decide if I am overreacting. Am I so hurt because of what was said or done? Or is there a deep seeded issue I need to deal with?  

Clearly, this is going to be a process. And I’m sure I will continue to have the this-is-what-I-think-about-the-situation conversations in the shower. But I am confident that by taking this approach to the stressors in my life, I will be buying less Anxiety Drops.

Have you asked yourself if it is a hill worth dying on or do you fight every battle?