Uniqueness and breaking free

We can raise our sights high when we’re willing to break free from being conformists who live a conventional life simply because we are too afraid to express our uniqueness. – Alexandra Stoddard

Week #35 - 49 Weeks ‘til I’m 50 – Ready, Set, it’s all about A FOCUSed plan to get there!  Only 14 weeks left.  

Here I am again, taking another random moment to report in on the status of my FOCUSed plan.  Sobering moment realizing how rapidly it is closing in on the end.  I’m not going to focus on the end yet.  Even though the goal is to successfully welcome in the big moment, there’s still time left.  I’m going to encourage myself, and you, to continue to make the journey unique.   

I’m inspired by very special people in my life that are the going through their own unique journeys.  They are inspiring to me, because, they aren’t afraid to say things like, “This is my stress, don’t you worry about my stress, you have enough of your own to deal with, I’ll be okay, just let me do it my way” or “I’ve always wanted one, it marks the turning point in life, I’m letting go of the past and moving forward.”  Those are the defining moments that hit home for me.  I need to recognize each person’s uniqueness, as well as my own and let go.

Doing our own thing is the difference maker in a successful journey.  When we try to copy or replicate what others have done without embracing how we can do it on our own, we bring on undo pressures and take a path with underlying stress.

At this stage in life, as I look around, I can be guilty as charged for taking on undo pressures.  I’ve hung on to things that I’m afraid to let go.   I tend to be afraid to let go of people (aka, my children), simply because, I have all this knowledge about what they don’t know about growing up.  When the rational person in me steps in, I remember that’s what I had to do.  I had to take my own journey and go through all the trials to get me to the place I am today.  I didn’t do it the way I was necessarily told to do.  I was most definitely not a conformist.  I survived, and so will they.  It is kind of fun to watch them take their own unique paths.  I am very proud of them in their ability to say, “No thanks, that’s not for me” or “It’s okay to let it go.” 

“Let it go…but it was free.”  Oh boy, it is a continual work in progress to get over this little fear.  The fear of letting go of stuff, especially “stuff” that might mean something at a day later in their lives.   This empty nest phase is a perfect time to clean house and clear out clutter.  As I watched my youngest, strategically ponder what she wanted to take with her to her first apartment, I had to repeatedly remind myself it is her unique journey, not mine! 

My plan at this stage in the 49 weeks is to clear out unwanted, unneeded and undesirable items.  The original plan was to do that before she moved away, but time flew too quickly.  Now the true test will be if I can be as ruthless as my kids are in getting rid of stuff?  Can I let go of the fear of “they might really wish I hadn’t gotten rid of it, or just hang on a bit longer?”  As I gear up the courage to let go.  I’m trying to not be a conformist and find my own path.  I realize I did take more stuff than I really would have chosen to take.  If only I would have been more selective at the time I might not be in this struggle.

Turning 50 is a perfect time to clean out the old stuff.  Keep only the things you truly love.  As I look at some of the stuff I’ve accumulated, I know I've kept it because it was free.  But I want to be free too.  Free from some gifts from our wedding 25 years ago.  Free from the stuff my mom left behind.  Free from items that I bought on a “good deal” sale or when I was thrift sale shopping years ago.  This is going to be cathartic and freeing.  I’m hopeful that my kids won’t look back and wish I had kept it, whatever the “it” may be as I clear it out.  I know, without a shadow of a doubt, they do not want to be stuck with my stuff at a later date.  

So…let’s get some inspiration going.  I really like the quote above.  When I saw her name, I remembered that when my kids were younger, I read the book, “Creating a Beautiful Home” by Alexandra Stoddard. 
http://www.amazon.com/Creating-Beaut-Home-Alexandra-Stoddard/dp/B001PO657C  

A book I love.  A bear my mom
treasured and left behind.  A chair
pad she left that I never wanted.
A blanket too good to throw...

Imagine that, I still have the book.  I love the book, so I’m keeping it as one of my unique treasures.  Looking at the link above, I see I’ve kept it long enough the copy available now has a different cover.  Do you think the book is a collectable now or worth something?  Screeeeech!  Stop that thinking right now!  Time to get to the real work, stop conforming, and break free.  Free at 50, yep, sounds good to me!  

Thanks for stopping by – enjoy the moments of discovering your own freedom in finding uniqueness!

PS -  Unique photography moments.  All of my flowers are in bloom in their own unique ways.  I absolutely love the glads, but as my husband says, "They are truly a stupid design."  This year my morning glories are struggling to break free from each other to find their own path.  I'm continually amazed at all the opportunities to find unique pictures when breaking free to find a different perspective.  

Yes, a top heavy plant is a strange design.

Upside down angle.

Using the fence to grow.

She sure likes to stick her nose in the frame

Using a fellow garden buddy to get to new heights.

Every which way.

This one used the tiger lily to find its way to the top.

Even a blade of grass as a support.

A lone ranger.

Such pretty flowers when they bloom and stand
out on their own.

Too many cooks in the kitchen, no one can
find their way.

Ah yes, a strange design for sure!

Another day, another adventure just waiting
to be discovered.