Fewer F#*ks Fifties
I told a secret this week. Not a big one. Maybe not even a real secret, just a story I don't often share.
It came out during my conversation with Melissa Petro, author of Shame on You, for our next podcast episode. We were talking about shame and all that it costs us – how sharing our stories has the power to connect and heal us. And suddenly there I was, telling her something I've barely mentioned to anyone. Something that in some ways is a total nothing, in other ways makes people gasp because it seems so contrary to how they see me, and frankly, how I see me.
It's not something I talk to my kids about yet, but I will someday, maybe. It arose out of youth and rebellion and finding my way in the world and finding my people and finding myself. And definitely out of my curiosity – which is actually one of my favorite qualities about myself. The curiosity is me, the thing I did isn't.
After we finished recording, I kept thinking: what would happen if I shared this story more widely? Maybe nothing. Maybe lots of mess and complication that I'd rather avoid. Maybe someone would feel seen. Who knows. Certainly not me.
So I am sharing it. And I feel a little vulnerable and nervous, but I've also decided I'm entering my Fewer Fucks 50s this Thursday and that's pretty exciting.
I'll be celebrating with a bunch of women I deeply, profoundly admire, many of whom have honored me by sharing their stories on this podcast. We'll all be in a room together for a full day, connecting, having real conversations, and living the magic that comes of that. If that sounds magical to you, then join us.
On Thursday, you'll get to hear my conversation with Melissa Petro. And I hope I'll hear from you, honestly, about your own relationship with shame in response, and that we'll get to know each other better.
Maybe we can all give fewer fucks together.
Aransas
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