Things I’m Leaving Behind

Recently, I ordered a wardrobe for my 13-year-old daughter’s room. To save a couple hundred dollars, I checked “to be assembled” at the online check out. “It will be good for us to build it together – girl power!” I foolishly remember thinking.

Fast forward several weeks – the wardrobe did get built. But poorly, and with much frustration and inappropriate cussing on both our parts. I decided one gift to myself - in this post-50 era I now find myself in – will be pre-assembled furniture.

Shortly after making this landmark decision, a client, recently turned 70, showed me her list of things to leave behind. On it were things like nagging her husband about his to do list, fixing squeaking doors, and being productive every day.

What are some things you could leave behind that would lead to a happier you? See if any on my list might resonate with you:

Maggie’s Things to Leave Behind List

• Purchasing pre-assembled furniture to save a little money
• Believing that my teenagers’ mistakes = my failure as a parent
• Assuming my partner’s wanting to spend more time with friends = he doesn’t enjoy spending time with me
• Expecting that my body at 50 should look like it did at 40.
• Feeling that setting boundaries to take care of myself means I am less of a Mom, friend, or sister.

What habits and thinking patterns would you benefit from leaving behind?

I encourage you to think about things you might be doing or thinking that make your life harder or your heart heavier. Try leaving something behind in the week to come…now if you need me, I’ll be on a walk - Not to punish myself or beat my body into submission, but because it’s fun to enjoy the sunshine on a later winter day. Be well!