“The thing that is really hard, and really amazing,
is giving up on being perfect
and beginning the work of
becoming yourself.”
Anna Quindlen”
When I celebrated my 50th birthday, I decided I was done with trying to be what or who others thought I was or should be. I was going to be who I am, the real me. Maybe some people wouldn’t like the real me. That would be their problem, not mine.
For the most part, I have been successful, though there have been some interesting side trips and roadblocks on the journey. Some friendships were lost, others made better, and new friends were found. Some old interests became less interesting, and new ones developed.
My 50th birthday was some time ago. Since then, there are times I wonder what I am doing, but I have kept the promise to myself. The ups and downs come and go. As time moves on, there are more ups than downs. It’s a good life being me.
Imperfectly perfect as I am.
Patricia's Place 
Great Post Patricia! Glad you brought new realities with you into your 50’s. Being you is the best thing you can ever do.
Being who we are is a good thing, but not always easy.
I can so relate to this Patricia. I think as we age, we don’t care much about what people think about us, rather would like to live life our way 😊….i too am on this journey now . Your last line perfectly summed it, which happens to be my daughter’s favourite 💟
Life is a journey where we just keep moving along through the good…and bad. All experiences and how we respond to them are important.
Great post! I too gave up on trying to be what others wanted quite a while ago and I have been so much happier since. Thanks for sharing, It makes my heart sing.
It is wonderful just being who we are!
Excellent post, Patricia! I agree to be yourself and not a carbon copy of someone else. You’re a sincere and down-to-earth person and that’s what I like about YOU!
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement.
You’re welcome.
Well, only knowing you through your fine writing, I can say without any hesitation, how wonderful I think you are, how your posts make me think gently about things, the clarity that you share. Your tales of Teddy and Jack and now sister Sophie, always bring a smile to my face. And let me add how beautiful your prose is, teaching me more about the economy of words than any other writer ever has.
As far as lost friends go, it’s what happens when we grow 🙂
Oh my, thank you for your kind words of encouragement.
No Patricia, thank you. 🙂
Yes, you just can’t lose when you’re being you, we agree!
😻
Bravo! I subscribe to this same way of thinking. But why wait till one is 50, start now.
If one is smart and intuitive this would happen in youth. Just took me some time to figure it out.
I started my journey when I turned 40.
Good for you. I feel the same and have for many years. What others think of me is none of my business. Many haven’t figured that out.
Have a fabulous day, Patricia. ♥
“What others think of me is none of my business.” Love it!
Great post Patricia. Pretending to be something I wasn’t and trying to be what other people expected me to be made me ill. I got over that, and rebuilt my life. Now I like the person I am and hope other people do too. If they don’t that’s OK, and I can live with that without them in my life!
It is freeing to simply be who we are.
Works for me, just took me a while to accept who I was.