1) What does the first hour of your day usually look like?
If the first hour of my day could be explained in one word, it would be: chaotic. I like to sleep as late as I possibly can before getting up and getting ready for the day, so I don’t have one of those slow and relaxing mornings where I make myself breakfast and a cup of coffee and read for a little before getting ready for the day. Nope! Once I’m up, it’s go time. I have to take Dutch on his first morning walk and then feed him, take a shower and get ready for the day, make coffee (which usually entails turning on the coffeemaker, since I typically prep it the night before), take Dutch on a second walk (which is usually a little longer since he’s more alert), and then trying to get out the door by 7:30. It is what it is, ya know. I could wake up around 5am and have a slower morning, but that extra hourish of sleep is worth it for me, especially since I can’t always count on going to bed at a decent time with Dutch’s nighttime problems.
2) What’s your favorite breakfast?
Can I admit this without being shamed? I’m not much of a breakfast person. It’s just not one of my favorite meals! There are some breakfast foods that I like, but I never crave them and if I never had them again, I think I’d be ok. So, with that said, if I could choose to have any breakfast I want, I’d probably choose chocolate chip pancakes. Every now and then, I get a craving for some chocolate chip pancakes (usually from IHOP, because truly, they make the best chocolate chip pancakes), but that’s about as far as my breakfast tastes go.
3) What’s the thing that you seem to have to keep learning and re-learning?
I wanted my answer to be deep and introspective, but what I kept coming back to is this: I do not love running and I need to stop pretending I do. I was even thinking about trying to become a runner again in 2018! But I have tried over and over and over again to fall in love with running and it is just not for me. I want to love it because so many of my friends do, but there’s nothing about it that makes me happy. I would much rather take a spin class or go for a long walk or take a heart-pumping kickboxing class. Those fuel me and make me happy way more than a run ever has, and I need to accept this about myself and move on.
4) Who are some of your favorite people to follow on social media?
So many, but I’ll refrain from listing everyone! These accounts are perfect if you ever need a pick-me-up after a crappy day:
- Crusoe, the celebrity dachshund, because he posts the funniest videos (and it doesn’t hurt that he looks exactly like Dutch).
- Orlando Sorio, mostly for his Instagram Stories, which always make me laugh out loud:
- Maya and Winston, two dachshund siblings who are so goddamn cute and I watch their Instagram Stories whenever I need a smile.
- Kristen Bell because she’s honestly the best and now that she’s doing Instagram Stories more frequently, she’s even better.
- Dogs Being Basic because who doesn’t love a funny dog meme? I know I do.
5) If you could go back and change one thing from your past, what would you change?
I know the common answer here is, “Nothing! It all made me who I am today!” But nah. I’d change some things. The biggest thing I’d change is to be more assertive with the men I dated. I have a tendency to want to make them happy at the expense of my own happiness and to not speak up when I’m uncomfortable. It’s a behavior pattern I’ve noticed in myself and something that is super hard to change, but I’m trying.
Who are your favorite people to follow online? Would you change anything from your past?
Questions taken from the Real Talk Radio podcast.
If I could change one thing, as in insignificant as it sounds, would be that I would have kept going with dance classes. I miss it. So much.
Yes, I love following Kristen Bell! She’s fabulous. I also really enjoy following The Rock; he shares fun, sweet and funny things.
I’m also a last minute person in the mornings. Sleep is necessary.
Nothing is insignificant if it’s meaningful to you! Dance is a good creative and physical outlet, so I can understand why you miss it!
I don’t follow any famous people online – I just follow friends and family. But it’s fun to see what is going on in their worlds, especially since many live so far from me!
If I could change one thing it would be to not buy the condo I bought in 2005. I thought I was making a good investment but it was the worst financial decision I’ve ever made. I am hoping to sell it this spring so am crossing my fingers that it works because I’m so done with owning that property!!
I really hope you’re able to sell your condo in the spring and you can move on from that property. I know it’s been such a headache for you!
I’m more than a little obsessed with Kristen Bell on instagram. The whole saga with the stray kitties is cracking me up.
YES. I swear following her on Instagram has made her 1000x more lovable than she already was.
You know, it’s good that you’re realizing that running is not for you. You can’t keep up a fitness routine for the long term if you’re chosing something that you don’t love… that defeats the whole purpose. I am glad you’re being honest with yourself and do the things you like (like spin or kickboxing!).