encourage yo self!

One of the hardest parts about living alone is that there's no one to talk to when things go wrong. Like, if I have a bad day, there isn't anyone waiting for me back home. It's just me and a random episode of Seinfeld.  Obviously, I could call someone, but I really hate talking on the phone. I think it's a #millenialproblem and I'm really curious why. That's another post, though...

And I do my fair share of texting friends, but text messages somehow don't provide that same level of comfort that a human voice does. But there's a silver lining to all this: I'm learning to encourage myself. It's not easy, but it's good. 

In her seminal work, the Defining Decade, Meg Jay talks about the importance of "calming yourself down." Do you remember back in high school when you got your first job and it was stressful? I can still remember calling my mom on my lunch break, venting about stress and anxiety - ha! Jay says that's all fine when you're young, but as you get older, you need to provide that same service to yourself from yourself. No more calling mom, dad, or Aunt Marlene for help -- it's your job to calm and encourage yourself. 

I think it's good I'm learning this lesson. Life can be hard sometimes and it's so easy to call, text, or drive over to your friend's house for that comforting word or sage advice. But it's more rewarding to sit at your kitchen counter and give yourself that comforting word or that sage advice.

"Calm down, Ev. It's gonna work out."