From Pettiness to Words and Everything in Between

You know, the me 5 years ago would probably have a very different answer to this question. Back then, I probably would have said I’m good at:

1. knitting/crocheting
2. teaching kids
3. running
4. keeping organized
5. writing

And while I’m still good at all of those things…except running, I’ve fallen off with that, but give me time, I can get good again…I have a more current list of what I’m good at:

1. Being petty (Remember Steve?)

2. Saying what’s on my mind (Why yes, things have gotten much better with that person at work ever since I went above her head and told her boss exactly what I thought about working with her).

3. Using my skills at knitting/crocheting to make other people happy (Remember the spray paint can for the tattoo artist who did my blue flowers? I’ve got something I’m planning for the artist I’m currently working with. How could I not? He literally tattooed a ball of yarn and crocheted flowers onto my arm).

4. Sitting really still for a tattoo (Here’s a sneak peak of the one I had done last Friday. I go back in 3 weeks for it to be finished. It’s a representation of how I healed from my experience with self-harm).

5. Using my words for good. Not just writing. I am still determined to get my writing out there to people who I truly think need to hear what I have to say about mental illness. In the process of me building my platform (via Threads) to increase my chances of getting published, I have had a genuine good time interacting with the people I’ve met on there. When you curate your algorithm just right, you get connected with people who are truly about building other people up and celebrating victories and just being good people. On there, I can post a variety of things and interact with people on all kinds of levels. I can be funny (or at least try to be). I can be snarky (much greater success with that). I can be sentimental and meaningful. But all of what I put out there, in my opinion has good intentions. I love that. It inspires me to keep writing and keep putting myself out there. There are quite a few published authors that I follow and if nothing else, seeing their posts about writing and publishing and people buying their books is incredibly motivating.

I’m pretty sure there are other things I’m good at. I didn’t even scratch the surface of being a good dog and cat mom, or master Rummy 500 player (that’s just for my husband to see if he’s paying attention today). Maybe given another year, the list will change. And even if it doesn’t, it’s a pretty good list as it is. I’m just fine keeping this particular set of skills.

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