Everybody has at least one thing they wish they knew before a certain age. To this day, I will never get the metric to life as to why. Although, I can not speak on behalf of other people as to what they keep a list of things they wish they knew. I can write why I do it and why I will no longer be making a big deal about keeping track anymore.
So, here's to the three mundane but important things I wish I had known before my fifties.
1) It's Ok To Lollygag; seriously, no one cares if I take a day off to climb walls or go on an adult Disney day trip. I used to think taking a day off meant leaving a job undone or not showing up for others when they needed me. But, when I am gone up yonder, who will work my raggedy job then, and who will show up for the ones who only call when they need something.
So, take that day to lollygag and do nothing but be stingy with your time. It's ok because those that get it will understand, and those that don't, SO FREAKING WHAT!
Remember, You will be replaced on the job; that's life. And all the needy folk will figure their life out or find someone else to dump (ISH) on. Yep, that's a hard pill to swallow, but here's to healing and lessons learned.
2) Find A Hobby That You Are Willing To Do For FREE! Kinda:)
Wait, scratch that, do it for free when you start, but as you master it, charge for it. In other words, sell your creations. Here me out right quick; I am a certified hairstylist that offers a service that helps women's hair look and feel good. But, when I was younger, I bootlegged my work for free because I didn't know any better. LOL: just kidding. My younger years were for learning my craft.
But, when I went to beauty school and got my license to properly do hair, I was no longer available to do FREE hair or hair for pennies.
My worth increased, and some people understood, but the majority didn't, so I moved to a city that did. I wanted to finally turn my hobby of making denim bags, so I started a YOUTUBE channel teaching others. But, I soon realized I was teaching folk who took the idea and old it on ETSY for themselves. And, of course, they were supposed to do that, but I wasn't being compensated. I was a free teacher with no pay. Don't get me wrong, I was offered monetization after two years of making DIY. Yes, I thought I made it, but in 2016 my first check was 200 dollars.
One day I was scrolling Etsy and saw someone following me selling the earring style I showed on the site at 40 dollars a pop. The best part was within a few months, they sold over 2,000 items.
At that moment, I shut down all my free teaching videos, got off the net, and rerouted my hobby to benefit my life.
The moral of this story is (I found my true passion through my childhood hobby. In later years, I have been working hard to master my skills which I have turned into a business for myself. The biggest lesson I have learned is nothing wrong with being a teacher, but neither is nothing wrong with making a profit off your teachings.
Can you guess which hobby I am most passionate about?
#3) Just Live Life -Eat The Cake-Wear The Dress-Take That Trip
Ultimately, I wish I had taken more chances in life earlier on; I am just being honest. But, in reality, back in my day, life was all about work, work, and more work. Don't get me wrong, I got to do a lot but there were things I did put on the back burner because 50 years ago, life was just different. Not to dwell on it long, but I am going to say it again life was just different.
Now that I have access to the Internet and worldwide travel across the globe. I just google everything about life and the things I want to eat, see and do.
Eating the cake means trying something new and eating that last piece of cake if that is what I want. Wear the dress simply means (today and not tomorrow. I used to buy clothes and wait on special occasions. Taking that trip means doing it now rather than later.
Ok, taking a trip could mean going up the street and around the corner. The wait is over when it comes to living life and I am finally off pause.
I'm no longer waiting on the sun to shine outside to go outside. I'm living my life like my local postman-come rain, sleet, and/or snow, I'm out the door.
In conclusion: I never wanted to look back and say (I used to be a teacher but never taught myself how to do it myself! -Hope you caught that twisted sentence. lol:)
Now, to finish this conversation off: Back in the day, times were different, but nobody really cares if I eat the cake, wear the dress or take that trip.:) lol Really, nobody cares!
So, cheers to living and not just existing
xo Tangie
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