Eleven Eleven

by Micalea Smeltzer

I want new adventures.

I like time by myself, but there’s a vast difference between having a little much-needed alone time to decompress and being entirely alone.

He knows he had the best and now he has to deal with his ridiculous consolation prize.”

“Dating is so different now.

I’ve wasted too much time over the past year, longer even, feeling sorry for myself. No more of that. The new and improved Via is going to shake off all the negativity.

Dating after divorce is normal—whether one jumps in right away or waits—yet I’m still struggling with the idea. Though my issue has less to do with actual dating, and more with feeling out of touch with dating culture. The world has changed a lot since I was in the dating scene. I’m not old, but man, am I starting to feel like it.

I’m over him, and I’ve moved on, but that doesn’t mean the pain has gone away completely.

But for years I put everyone else before me.

Now I’m learning that it’s okay to put myself first every now and then.

I feel like I’ve found my happy place.

Feelings are such a pesky thing.

“There’s always room for improvement.”

there’s still so much left to learn.”

You were too good for him,

My happiness matters more than appeasing others. It took me too long to see that.”

“You’re allowed to be happy.”

You don’t give yourself enough credit.

what’s life without a couple of bumps and bruises? The process of getting back up is where the learning happens.

he’s aged drastically.

We’re not friends.” We used to be, so long ago now that it feels like another lifetime.

he wanted out of this,

It’s fascinating how this man I spent so much of my life with, who I thought I’d grow old with, has become a stranger in a matter of months.

I still can’t help but hope for the best for him, even if he doesn’t deserve it.

Do what makes you happy. You worry too much about everyone else and not enough about yourself.”

I was so scared of loving again, of giving someone else the potential to hurt me, but ultimately, I’m only hurting myself if I remain so guarded.