Desperately Seeking A Well- Lived Life

Here's a little fun post I've been working on for a few weeks.

Life is not that serious. I know that now, but younger me didn’t get the memo. #nopunintended 

I used to think every missed deadline, every bill, every sideways glance from someone meant the world was ending. Looking back, I wish I had learned sooner that most of it didn’t matter the way I thought it did.

At the end of the day, bills still got paid, kids still grew up happy and thriving, life kept moving, but I wasted too much energy worrying instead of living. #realtalk

Back in the day, I would tie myself in knots over little things that kept me unhappy.

Did I say the wrong thing? Did I wear the wrong outfit? Was I being “good enough” at all the roles I thought I had to play? The truth is, nobody was keeping score except me. UGHHHHHHHH (Insert Scream I Wasted Time) 

Now that I’m in my 50s, I carry things and react to things differently. I don’t treat every inconvenience like a crisis. (ok sometimes I still do)

But now, sister girl, if it doesn’t bring me joy, peace, or laughter, it doesn’t get front row seating in my mind or life anymore. And let me tell you that mindset feels like freedom down in my old bones.

Here’s what I know for sure: joy doesn’t just show up at your doorstep. You have to claim it, chase it, and sometimes protect it with a little funkiness. That’s why I keep reminding myself (and I want to share this with you) eat what you want, wear what you want, go where you want, and stop apologizing for it. Life is too short to spend it auditioning for approval, on seeking a well-lived life. This is your life, my life, so live YOUR LIFE!

So here’s your Saturday reminder: give yourself permission. Permission to rest, permission to dream, permission to do something just because it makes you smile.

Lastly, yes, this is a place for you to read and for me to write, but stick around, bcause I will be sharing and showing so much. I am taking baby steps, and I feel no need to rush. 

Now I want to hear from you what’s one thing you’re finally allowing yourself to enjoy without guilt? Don’t hold back. If you’ve got a funky goal or a small joy you’re chasing, drop it in the comments. We’re all figuring this out together, and your story might just spark someone else.

XO, Tangie: writing from Dallas, Texas, sharing life in my 50s, joy, and the journey of living fully beyond just existing.