How I did it: I used to think "I'll show them" but now understand the most important thing is to keep yourself happy. Why do I want to be miserable making others 'approve' of who I am or what I do? Thinking about showing someone up takes a lot of energy and worry, granted it does feel nice when you are finally able to give the, "I told you so..." talk.

I'm not saying give up!! It's just my perspective that's changed, and that's why I feel this goal really has been achieved. I've been through heavy changes recently and it was on par with the quote, "when it rains, it pours." (I might as well have been in a relentless blizzard for the past year!!) I feel like I've emerged a different person, where enough is enough - why add to my already elevated stress level?

I've learned that the best way to show people what you're made of is just to get off your bum and go out and do whatever it is you intend to do. There will always be naysayers. And the best way to deal with them is just to brush it off, get good advice where you can, research and GO FOR IT! Whether it be a move across the country, getting a pilot's license or becoming a culinary chef - it's up to you. When you show them you don't care, and when they see you genuinely happy - that's the most elegant I told you so you can give - and it costs YOU a lot less. Let them churn in their own negativity and regret!!

Lessons & tips:

• People will think you're crazy. Don't worry about it, the ones that love you will come around.

• You wanna do something that everyone you know says you'll never be able to? Go out and find people that are doing what you want to do and ask them questions! People love to talk about themselves!

• Focus your energy not on proving yourself to someone, but instead focus it on whatever it is you want to do. You'll go farther this way. (Your success may otherwise feel emptier when you get there.)

• No one was born an expert. You'll have to put forth effort to learn something new. But if this is a subject you actually enjoy, you'll learn much faster!

• All this is really common sense stuff, you just have to remind yourself about it every morning when you wake up. :) It's easy to forget in life's daily shuffle.

Resources: Trials and tribulations of life!

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Nov 02, 10:15AM PST | 2 comments | 4 cheers