On Being Lost & Found
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I was struck by something last week as I was standing near my sewing machine, smiling to myself as I "cooked" some embossing ink with my heat gun.
Actually it's been a theme for me since getting divorced last year: reclaiming/reconnecting with the "fun" me.
In conversations with friends recently I say things like, "I used to be fun."
To some of them I say, "Do you remember when I was fun?" and to others I say, "You haven't even known me when I was fun."
To some I've said, "I feel like I'm coming home to myself. To that place where the old me and the me of today are meeting up and finally getting on the same page."
I laugh more. I feel lighter (physically and emotionally). I'm working on not taking things so darn seriously all the time (this is an ongoing battle). I smile easier. I'm much quicker to say yes to impromptu adventures.
I want to be living the length and the width.
This also translates to my creative life. I feel like it's been a long time since I've felt the actual heart-pounding delight - almost like a high - that comes from creative play. From making messes and experimenting and what if this goes with this instead of this. I felt that way today while I was working on Project Life. It was a letting go of perfection, of holding on too tight. I was also simply taking the time to allow for fun within the realm of the creative things I do already.
I think it's also a reason I haven't scrapbooked as much or shared as much of my story in this space. I'm finding my voice again bit by bit (Who was I before? Who am I now?). And I think reclaiming the "fun" me is definitely a part of it.
I still feel lost at times. Scared. Unsure. Sad. Just this past week I had "one of those days" that essentially boiled down to me needing to be reminded that I need to find happiness within myself first and foremost. That I have to own, all the way through my bones, that I really am enough.
Music has been a great catalyst of fun for me. I have a physical reaction to music. We play it loud in the office. I play it loud in the car. I've been attending and making plans to see live music. I've been making time for old and new friends and we laugh and drink and eat and make merry and listen to music and I remember the lighter parts of myself that existed before the layers of years and responsibility and stress and loss and experience - that whole crazy combination life that includes all the awesome stuff as well as the things that are really hard.
I've learned that I have to allow and create opportunities for myself to have fun, personally as well as on my scrapbook pages.
And I have to let go.
And I have to be open.
So here I go, trying to fearlessly live the length and the width, inviting in the fun.
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219 comments
Made me cry Ali. I so totally know what you mean and thank you for putting it into words so beautifully.
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Wow Ali, I am speechless!!
That is exactly how i feel these days. Bogged done by responsibility, stress, loss etc and i always seem to be a 'fun killer' lately because i am always the responsible one and take life to seriously.
I share this journey with you:-)
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A beautiful post. You are living your OLW! And there are so many of us that can relate to your words. Thank you for sharing.
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love this so much ali, and i love your openness.xo
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Thank you.
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Ali, this is a bold statement, love that you are becoming aware of so many things...
I'm not sure if you've heard of Dr. Brene Brown but her book Daring Greatly runs along these lines.
Wish you continue healing along your journey
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Hi Joy - yes, actually after I finished this post last night I picked up Daring Greatly again as I'm going to be participating in a podcast discussion about how it relates to creativity/scrapbooking, etc. I've known Brene personally for about 6 years now - she's a huge inspiration and a wonderful friend.
Ali is friends with Brene. Check out the back of The Gifts of Imperfection- Ali is one of the reviewers.
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Thank you Ali, I am defnitely taking your words to heart and will be looking out for more fun in my own life. Must say, you've always been amazing on your blog, even in the times that you think you weren't fun.
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Thank you, this is beautiful. And I think that lot of us can identify themselves in your post.
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Your doing all the right things Ali - finding yourself foremost will be your greatest gift!!
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Beautiful words Ali - feel the same. But also feeling things are getting better now. Winter is almost over, spring is here and the sun and the light - it makes me appreciata everthing so much more. Thanks for sharing.
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I totally get that... I sometimes think that I used to be fun too. What would my teenage daughter think if she knew me when I was fun, you know? That kind of thing. And the happiness and amazing things that comes with starting a family bring burdens and stress too... I'm sooo in that place right now, trying to take life less serious and more lightly. You put into words in such a beautiful way. Here's to being open and fun!
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Ali,
I love this. For me the tension is between reclaiming someone I used to be and figuring out when I am no longer that person. You know?
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Bravo Ali, Bravo. You are so brave to bring us all along on your "ride". It's amazing that if you are öpen" you give yourself the opportunity to heal, grow, improve and become the person that you are meant to be. Wishing you more fun, love and peace.
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Great & inspiring words :) TFS :)
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Go, Ali, Go!
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beautiful post. Loved it.
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a wonderful post that i [and i'm sure many others] can relate to. seeking out awesome adventures and smiling/laughing more makes for wonderful days. :) cheers to your new chapter! *
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I know exactly how you feel. The first time I said something funny after leaving my ex-husband, I stopped dead in my tracks and thought "there's the old me"! I'm funny! It's an "ah ha" moment for sure.
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To the woman IN the arena:
Hold on on living your life wholehearted and daring greatly. Thanks so much for sharing your vulnerability and the struggles, that comes along at the same time. It's so appreciated and encourages me and others to do the same!
YOU ARE ENOUGH, Ali.
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I resonate with every word! Going through a divorce made me have to find my balance between three places in my life: where I had been a long time ago, where I was now, and where I wanted to go. Blessings on your journey. It's worth the trip.
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