365 Questions for a Better You, June edition.

Hey guys! My 365 Questions for a Better You is back! Of course, this isn’t my idea, I found the fabulous idea over at debbieinshape.com and you too can participate if you’d like! Obviously, there aren’t 365 questions in this post, but by the end of the year, there will be.

So, have fun learning things about me in this June edition of 365 Questions for a Better You!

152. Do you have your meals at your desk or while watching TV? 

Both? It really depends on what I’ve got going on. If I’m in the middle of a writing spree, it would be me eating over my keyboard until I feel like I can finally walk away. If I’m binge watching something then it would be me eating in front of the TV. Otherwise, I try to eat with my husband and kids at the dining table when we can.

153. How would you describe your ability to manage stress?

I thrive in stressful situations. Because of that I worked for a long time in healthcare, at the front desk of the ER, in the ER/Trauma side, and running the front desk of hugely busy hospitals. Stress and me, we just go hand in hand. I’m able to keep my cool and think quickly when I need to. So yeah, stress doesn’t bother me and I’ve never really felt the need to ‘manage’ it because I don’t normally notice it.

154. When was the last time you visualized yourself achieving your Dreams? 

About two days ago when I got an email I never expected. (Squee… I am so excited to tell you all at some point!) It’s safe to say that I’ve visualized myself achieving my dreams many times over the years and I’ve no doubt it will continue to happen many more.

155. Introvert or extrovert? 

This isn’t an easy question to answer for me. I’m not afraid to put myself out there and talk to people. I’m not shy. I’m kinda loud. But, I’m respectful when life calls for it. However, I’ve experienced a lot of crazy things in life, both at work and in my personal life so I’ve come to not love people as much as an extrovert does. I’d much prefer to be home than deal with assholes in some crowded event. I have a hard time warming up to people and opening myself up to get to know. Therefore I don’t have a lot of friends (which I am OK with) So… I dunno, maybe I’m a bitchy intro-extrovert? LOL

156. Have you ever skipped breakfast?

Everyday. I learned in high school when I got up at five in the morning for dance practice that eating first, made me queasy. Since then I stick with coffee in the morning and then eat lunch. I work better fully caffeinated as opposed to full of food.

157. What would you like to learn if you had the chance? 

Everything? I love to learn and if I’m interested I teach myself. I’ve taught myself how to design websites, graphics, write, marketing, parenting, wifing, and now… how to not kill houseplants. When you stop learning, you stop living.

158. What word do you say the most? 

OK, So, Fuck, What? (I have a slight hearing problem). Those would probably be my top four. I could literally say those four words as a complete sentence, just as written, all day long.

159. Have you ever been a victim of bullying? 

Yes. Not to an extreme or anything. I can think of three instances… as a teen in high school, I wouldn’t sleep with someone in the popular crowd who thought he had ‘earned’ it so he picked on me all through his senior (my freshman) year. Trust me when I say, it only proved that I was right in my decision not to sleep with douchewagons. As an adult, I’m tattooed, and not a size two. In fact, I’m plus sized and have been since I gave birth to my first son twenty years ago. I go up and down in my weight but I’ve not worn a single digit size since the 90’s. I’ve had people judge me on my weight, calling me fat, lazy, giving me that ‘judgemental look’… you name it.  I’ve had people tell me they’d ‘pray for my children’ as I obviously was a horrible mother since I had tattoos. Yeah, people are dicks and at the time I’d sulk off and let it bother me but over the years I learned that they can’t take my joy from me so I respond and let me tell you, those who have a lot to say when they think you won’t hear them or won’t stand up for yourself, yeah, they don’t have much to say when you call their bullshit out to their face.

160. Your favorite affirmation right now. 

No idea. This isn’t something I look for in life. I make my own joy and I’ve learned never to depend on finding affirmation from others.

161. To drive a car or a motorcycle? 

Car. I’m definitely not a motorcycle person. My husband and kids own motorcycles and four-wheelers and while I’ve ridden ATV’s, never a motorcycle. I’ve seen too much in the trauma room to not picture it if I was on a motorcycle.

162. How important is physical activity in your life? 

Ever since I was a kid I’ve hated intentionally working out. I’m just not one to set out to go to the gym or on a run. In fact, if you see me running, you better too. I’ll hike trails, or go for walks at times but yeah, me and intentionally working out, we just don’t jive.

163. What’s more important to you: personal life or professional career?

Both! Now that my kids are mostly grown I’m finding that I need both. I don’t have little children to care for any longer which gives me no excuse to not shower for days. So, I had to find something to do. I love my professional career. I’ve worked hard for it. It’s been my dream since I was a very young adult. My personal life is a little boring but, I’m not exactly 22 any longer. I’ve been married 20 years, my kids are mostly grown, and I’m finding that I prefer low-key. Watching movies, TV, writing, hanging out at home, shopping, hanging with my family. You won’t find me headed to the bar every Friday night to work on the worst hangover ever the next morning. I’ve grown out of it (and I live in Montana! not exactly exciting over here, folks). (Not to mention that the older you get, the worse the hangover is…)

164. What challenges have you overcome recently and how you did it? 

Here is the thing about this. Some people measure their challenges by comparison to someone else. I don’t. I run my own race. If something has challenged me, I work my ass off to get through it and when I look back it doesn’t seem like it was ever a challenge if it’s something I wanted. You get through challenges by working hard. By running your own race and not worrying about what the outside world might think.

165. Are you afraid of leaving your comfort zone? 

In some situations, yes. Like I said, I’m not exactly shy. When I had kids something switched on in me that showed me all the dangers in the world. As I’ve grown up, those fears have progressively gotten worse for some reason and I now sometimes have a hard time turning it off. Once in a while, I’ll become self-conscious or let someone else’s negativity get to me but I try my hardest to not let fear rule my life. It’s an area I’m constantly working on and probably will for the rest of my life.

166. Do you plan for the week or daily? 

I go day by day. I know what needs to be accomplished but I don’t think ahead. Let’s just get through one day and see what’s changed before I nail down plans or duties for later in the week.

167. How do you deal with opposition? 

I pick my battles. Not everything needs to be a fight. Some opposition isn’t worth acting on and really is only a problem for the person/idea opposing. I do well in stressful situations so I don’t notice much in the way of stressful oppositions. I try to stop and think about how I’m feeling and react accordingly if it’s worth it. I more often than not let things go faster than others. I make my peace and deal with my side of things. I also use humor. I can find the humor in just about anything.

168. Do you find it easy to stand up for yourself?

Yes. For myself and for others, whether I know them or not. I’m not the girl to pass by someone needing help and keep walking. I help, even if it puts me in danger. I notice my children do this as well. When I worked in healthcare there was something we used to tell patients who were struggling with having a dr or healthcare provider on their side. ‘You have to advocate for yourself because no one else will.’ That’s true in life. If you don’t stand up for yourself, who else will? Sure someone may come along and help you out but you are your best advocate. Speak up for yourself and don’t allow others to stomp on you in any situation.

169. When do you feel lonely? 

LOL… I don’t. This is kind of a joke in my house. I don’t crave company or attention. I’m perfectly happy being alone. I’m totally OK never talking about my feelings. I like silence. I like working on things I enjoy. I fill the silence with music and I do what I want. I’ve never felt lonely and I’m incredibly thankful for that.

170. Read a book or watch a movie? 

Both. I love books. I also love movies. I love to see how a book is turned into a movie and how it’s brought to life. There’s good in both of these things.

171. Who’s the most important person in your life right now? 

My family. My husband, my children, myself. They are my life and I’d do anything for them to succeed and be happy.

172. A public figure who inspires you. 

People who stand up for themselves and others. People who go after their dreams without worrying about how successful they’ll be. People who are honest and real. People who find the good in life. Nobody comes to mind specifically but I often read things and am inspired by actions and people.

173. What inspires your confidence?

Knowing that confidence can only come from within. No one can give it to you, you can only realize you have it. Everyone is so different that I sometimes think people look for confidence on the outside, with how they appear to others, but that’s not it. At least not to me. Confidence comes from who you are within. It comes from how driven you are to succeed in your dreams. It comes from how you choose to see life and yourself. I’m bitchy but insanely optimistic. I see life in an optimistic yet realistic light, and that achievements are only that if you work your way there and if you’re confident in what you’re doing, and if you’re not, keep going until you are.

174. Do you find it important to keep up with technology? 

I do like technology. (Love it, really) Though, I’m not one to run out and buy every edition of every electronic because the fact that it will be considered ‘old’ in less than a year pisses me off. Plus, I’m poor. I can’t afford all the cool gadgets that I wish I could.

175. What’s your main source of distraction? 

Cleaning, reading, music, writing, family. (not exactly in that order)

176. Your favorite small pleasure. 

Having extra money to do what I want with. Even if it’s just $20 I can grab something fun to do, nail polish, a new plant, a new book, new music, a large oreo with chocolate ice cream blizzard from Dairy Queen…  (lol that’s a little too specific, eh?)

177. How impairing is stress in your life? 

Like my answer above, it’s not. Somehow, I thrive in stressful situations. I stay calm and level-headed. I can’t explain it. I think fast and best when things are stressful at times.

178. Buy or rent a house?

I’ve only ever rented. We’ve moved around a lot and haven’t found that place where we want to stay the duration that buying a house would require. Maybe one day.

179. How much time do you spend daily watching TV? 

My TV is on all day but I only ever really watch maybe an hour or two a day. Unless I’m binge watching a show on Netflix or Hulu, then I’ve been known to spend a good 12-13 hours doing absolutely nothing else.

180. How better would your life be if you accomplished your Goal? 

I am accomplishing my goal and it’s very satisfying. I’ll continue to work at it, hoping to improve with each book I release. I’m happy with where I am, where I’m going, and will continue to learn and grow.

181. What’s your Purpose in life?  I don’t think we have one purpose in life. For a while, my purpose was to be a mom. My purpose is to be a wife, mom, writer, friend, daughter, sister, the list is never-ending. I think life brings us different purposes throughout our life. I hope that never stops.

OK… June 365 Questions, done!

I’d love to hear your questions or thoughts in the comments below!