There are many things about me that many would consider unorthodox. Not that I’ve ever been intentionally rebellious, I’ve more just done my own thing, despite what others may think. Ever since I can remember, I’ve always trusted that voice inside that told me what was right for me, instead of what other people were telling me what was right for me.

I admit that in my 20s, the disapproval I got from many people who didn’t agree with my decision to leave a “successful” job (I never did understand people who used status and salary over job satisfaction as a measure of success), to explore my creative side and find out what I really wanted to do, did get to me at times. The last thing someone who is finding themselves needs is “that’s a hobby – when are you going to get a real job”. Ummm, I don’t remember asking for your opinion, and who the hell are you to speak to me like that anyway?!?

Now that I’m in my 30s, I couldn’t give a crap, more so, I quickly cut people like that out of my life – I’m not interested in anyone raining on my parade. There are people who love you and make comments because they care and they only want what is best for you, but you soon realise that there are others who pass judgment that are just ignorant. I could never imagine questioning anyone on what they were doing with their lives – it would be just plain disrespectful and rude.

Your 30s also bring a real permission to be yourself. I don’t do mornings, I don’t do cooking, I don’t see myself having children any time soon (even though I love my 6 year old niece more than life itself) and right now I love my me time at home. Don’t get me wrong, I would get cabin fever if I spent ALL my time at home, and I LOVE going out with my friends, but I also love being semi cocooned at home and penning my thoughts on my mac … and you know what, I’m making no apologies for it. I’ve never had a problem with my own company, in fact I quite like hanging out with myself. Call it wisdom if you will, but I know that right now this is what my soul wants and where it needs to be, to create what it needs to create. I also know that I’m destined for plenty of lights, camera, action in the not to distant future.

So often, we let ourselves be dictated by what other people think, or what we think we should be doing according to someone else’s idea of what is right for us. Only you know what is right for you. So this week, I’m giving you permission to be you. For a whole week, do what you want to do, not what you think you should because of what other people think is right. Go on, I dare you.

Copyright 2009 | Gaynor Alder

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