I am just…

I find myself compartmentalizing my life to the point I no longer know how to be a whole person at all times. It gets exhausting put on and taking off my masks every day. We have a responsibility to celebrate how complicated we all are. Why can’t I be a strong, take no prisoners kind of chick, who loves to cry at romantic comedies? So, if you had to make a list of what you are what would it say?

I am just a…

• girl
• mother
• daughter
• nurse
• nurse practitioner
• friend
• cat-lover
• fast driver
• Tough Mudder
• boxer
• writer
• reader
• cinephile

I want you to think I am:

• smart
• funny
• clever
• nice
• tough
• strong
• warm
• competent
• useful
• fun
• lovable
• loving
• kind
• dependable
• cute
• charming
• enough

I feel accomplished when:

• My son is happy.
• My patients do well.
• I have a good hair day.
• I write something that explains where I am.
• I make a hard decision.
• I spend meaningful time with the people I love.
• I find time to work out.
• I say something funny.
• I make a connection with someone.

I feel frustrated when:

• I inadvertently hurt someone’s feelings.
• I fail to communicate effectively.
• I can’t find the answer.
• I run out of time.
• I can’t focus and finish a task.
• I fail.

I just want to be an honest person. Authenticity is paramount for me.

Oh, and I want to meet a man with the personality of the leading men of the past. I want someone who treats me like a girl. Sometimes I get tired of being the strong, independent woman who can do anything. Kill the spiders. Hold open doors, and do that magic hand on the arm thing. Make me blush and not just from a dirty joke. Ugh. Then take me out to play in the mud.

After all, I am just a girl. More on this later, I have to go put on my work mask now.