Bagel Shop Wisdom

The bagel shop I frequent a little too often has all these unique signs on the walls, mostly of clever quips or sayings. I ate there for lunch three times this week (don’t judge me) and noticed they had a new one hanging over the stove.

“If it weren’t for stress, I’d have no energy at all.”

Hmm, well that seems like my current personal slogan.

I’m a busy person, sometimes too busy. Periodically, I have these lovely I CAN’T TAKE THIS ANYMORE IT IS JUST TOO MUCH mini meltdowns at the end of a 14 hour day, when I’m too tired to nuke mac and cheese and can’t even begin to fathom how the hell I’m going accomplish everything I need to get done by Saturday. Sometimes I cry or scream or cry and scream, but eventually though, every single time, I put on my big girl panties, pour myself a bottle glass of wine and keep on trucking. And maybe I’m sort of a masochist, but I’m pretty sure I like it this way.

This weekend I have an 8 hour school day, a paper to write finish, about seven loads of laundry to do, more than one plan to meet up for drinks, knitting I want to get done, liqueur I need to infuse, homemade thank you cards to lovingly create, a yoga mat that’s calling my name and a boyfriend I can’t wait to cuddle* with. It’s a lot, but the thing is, this is how I thrive. I genuinely function better when busy, when there are time limits and agendas and next-ups to look forward to. I do well under pressure, I’m happy when I look around at my life and see that I am in fact actually living it.

This probably isn’t the healthiest life style. I’ve read more Yoga Journal articles than I can count on my fingers and toes telling me stress is a no-no and I’m no stranger to the very real physical and emotional side effects that accompany the little bastard. And I know I should be focusing more on B words like balance and bank account and beauty sleep, but if I’m trying my damndest to live my best, most beautiful life on my own terms, and this is the way that feels right for me, shouldn’t I just throw balance in the backseat with the rest of the crap I’m too lazy to bring inside? Forget feeling like I should be striving for more down time and instead take a double dose of multi-vitamins and buckle up for the ride.

Because who I am, right now, is shouting a big, fat AMEN to Amanda: Balance is Bullshit.

Happy Friday my lovelies, and here’s to hoping you spend your weekend however you damn well please.

*He probably will vomit a little in his mouth reading me use the word cuddle