Tag: advice

In My Skin

Bailey Gunn4 Comments

There’s a lot to be said about walking a mile in someone else’s shoes. In learning more about them by seeing life from their perspective.

But there’s something else to be said about viewing life from your own perspective.

You would do good to remember that what you think is just as valuable as what someone else thinks (am I the only one that needs this reminder?)

And by that principle, you should think the world of yourself. Have confidence. Because no one is just like you and no one has your exact perspective. We all bring something different to the table, even if we don’t always feel like it.

So, don’t be afraid to be fully in your skin, and to see life from your own unique perspective. You are who you think you are, not who you’d rather be. And from my perspective, you’re all pretty great.

Rejection = redirection

Bailey Gunn2 Comments

Do you remember your first rejection? Was it a boyfriend/girlfriend? Was it from a college? What about not making your high school soccer tryouts?

Sorry for bringing up ill feelings. But I’d be willing to bet that you wouldn’t trade your life right now for the world, eh? You wouldn’t go back in time and fix that rejection because what’s done is done. And it’s made you the person that you are today.

That’s why in life rejection is really just a redirection (I didn’t make this up, but I wish I had). It’s a good reminder that just because we didn’t get where we wanted to be doesn’t mean we’re not where we need to be. Every time you get rejected by something or someone, you’re being pushed in the direction of where your real life begins.

So don’t get upset if you’re rejected. Get excited that you’re that much closer to where you want to be. Or at least, be happy that you’re not the biggest loser in the universe, even though you may feel like it.

My Hero

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I think it’s really easy sometimes to go with the flow. To think everything is going to work out. That if you just pray/wish/want hard enough, then it’ll all be to your satisfaction.

But I’m here to remind you that the Knight didn’t get the princess by wishing she was there. He did something – he climbed the back wall/tower/gate and rescued the princess from the dragon/evil stepmother/her fate.

And I’d also like to point out that sometimes, the princess can save herself. And that’s important to remember too. Because if you don’t see your knight anywhere and he’s not on the horizon, then it’s probably you.

So you want your happily ever after? Get up and save yourself. Or call your knight. Just do something.

Being Kind to Myself

Bailey Gunn1 Comment

I’m sorry (not sorry) that I didn’t post last night. I was too busy being kind to myself.

My body said I was tired, and for once in my life, I listened to my body and I obeyed. And now I feel better.

So every now and again, you should listen to what your body needs, not what your mind is telling you you should be doing. It’s easy. Take a few deep breaths and open your ears. Your body won’t be shy.

So, what is your body telling you?

Made My Day

Bailey Gunn1 Comment

Thanks to the little girls at the back of the school bus who smiled and waved and cracked up when I waved back and who I followed for a good 20 minutes (only because they were going where I was going–not in a creepy way.)

You made my day. And you’ll never know it.

Someone’s smile or kind word can make your whole day but you don’t have to let them know. It’s sort of special; it’s like a secret you share with that other person, except they don’t know.

But sometimes, you should let people know if they’ve made your day. People feel worthless on the best day. Don’t forget to remind them that they’re here for a reason, however small it may be.

Don’t worry kids. If you wave at me, I’ll always wave back.

Get Home Safely

Bailey Gunn2 Comments

People always say that others are fighting hard battles and you should be kind to everyone you meet, even if they’re rude.

And I think that’s correct. But I think it could use some editing. Everyone’s facing a hard battle every day and everyone is just trying to get home safely.

We’re all just trying to get through our day so that we can go home and see our loved ones or spend time with people we enjoy.

So if you’re commute is a terror, remember that everyone is trying to get home safely. If someone is particularly rude, they probably would just rather be at home. And if you forget that everyone is fighting a hard battle, at least try to remember that they’d like to get home safely to pet their cats and dogs, to eat the food they bought, and sit on the couches and be comfortable.

Everyone, at the end of the day, just wants to be comfortable.

Persistent.

Bailey GunnLeave a comment

We’ve all been told no before. And undoubtedly, we’ve been told not to take no for an answer (right after).

But what kind of psychopath knocks on the door that slams in your face, five seconds later? Isn’t insanity defined as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting the different results?

I get it, now in my old age, more than ever. If you want something done or want something at all, you have to be persistent. You have to keep going, and following up, and reminding, and asking, and checking boxes. And that can be really hard when you’re a timid shy woman who would rather die from starvation than place an order for food on the phone.

But it’s worth it. I promise. You should learn how to persist. It’s the hardest thing you may learn, but it’s the only way to keep going in life.

So practice persistence everyday. And speak up when you can. Even if your voice shakes and you want the floor to swallow you up directly after.

Sick and Tired

Bailey Gunn2 Comments

Sorry about the ghost post last night. I️ was feeling mildly ill, like a cold was coming on, and I️ couldn’t keep my eyes open. So instead of posting, I️ went to bed.

Because I️ was sick and tired. And not just of the oncoming cold – I️ was sick and tired of the routine. Get up, go to work, come home, eat my feelings, sleep off the day. Bad habits on a hamster wheel.

And it’s exactly because I️ was sick and tired that I️ decided to make a change. Especially with my eating routine. I️ actually didn’t eat anything I️ was allergic to this week. Which is crazy, because I’m allergic to most things at this point.

But I️ just think it’s funny that when you’re at your wit’s end, when you’re fed up, when you’re sick and tired, that’s when you’re at the best point to make a change. To do something about your situation. To be a better person.

So if you’re sick and tired, don’t give up. Just get up and make a change.

You’re Not Wrong

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If you ask a math teacher, they will most assuredly tell you that there is more than way to go about doing something. Sure, it may not be the easiest or the best way to do something, but if you get there in the end, then you should be okay. (At least, this is what I️ hoped my math teacher would say to me.)

So in that vein, stop comparing yourself to everyone around you.

Sure, another person’s way may look better or get quicker results, but at the end of the day, if you got the job done, then you’re not wrong. There’s no being wrong in life – only in math. There’s a million ways to go about doing something, and the way you see the world is unique to you.

So you’re not wrong. You may be on the wrong path or walking in the wrong direction for awhile, but what you do can’t be wrong when it comes to living your life. Mistakes can only lead you to a better place and time, even if it takes awhile to get there. But you have to let yourself be human and be able to make mistakes before you can live unwrongly.

The Futility of Trees

Bailey Gunn2 Comments

In case you haven’t been near a Starbucks, I’d like to officially announce:

It’s fall.

Leaves are tumbling, being raked into piles and trees are generally shedding their weight for winter.

But you know what gets me about trees?

They spend their whole life growing. And then they deposit their seeds, their acorns, their tiny helicopter pods. Not knowing where they’re going. Not knowing if they’ll grow up to be trees too. Not knowing even if they’ll land on the ground instead of in some squirrel’s stomach.

But they do it anyway. They drop their seeds anyway. With only hope keeping them alight.

It’s hard to live with hope only. But I️ promise, that if you put some faith into your hope, you will grow no matter where you’re planted.

So drop your seeds where they may fall and reach for the sky.