I vow to no longer be a hot mess...

... well, at least until this weekend is over.

SIDE NOTE: Leave it to someone to actually DEFINE "hot mess." Numbers 1 through 3 are definitely applicable. Number 4... well, we all know I call that bubbleguts. Now, back to my rant...

A week before the Chicago girls' trip, a strange thing happened. I was preparing to lock myself in my apartment for three days (over Memorial Day weekend), turn off all ringers, clean the house from bottom to top, watch girly movies, light a bunch of candles, drink wine, and shut out the world. I got up that Saturday, and the sun was shining through a crack where I hadn't pulled the shade all the way. Brightly. I opened the front door and was met with a gust of warm, humid air. And, I actually had to squint.

I did an about-face toward my apartment and the dark, dimmed cave (all curtains drawn tightly) didn't seem as good an idea as it had all week. I packed a weekend bag and jumped into my truck, leaving the messy house (and a pile of laundry filled with hospital scrubs) behind.

I drove down to NYC, went out to a party that I had been resisting going to (because I was stuck in a rut and wanted to be ALONE), and had a cool time. It was nice having a reason to dress up, do my hair, put on some HEELS.

I realized that I didn't need more alone time. I needed more fun, socializing time with fun people. And what perfect timing? The Chicago trip was coming up. I was SO happy I hadn't canceled that. I definitely thought about it -- especially those days when the idea of having to talk to anyone was exhausting.

I also came back from the weekend vowing to fight the urge to wear scrubs (which just makes me feel frumpy), and actually put on real clothes, at minimum some mascara, and cute shoes. In the last two weeks, I've been spotted in scrubs only twice so far (hey, I'm working on it).
One was today, because I chose between pulling out nice clothes or getting my hair done. I chose the latter. The other was Tuesday, the day that I spent six hours on the phone because the rental car that I got on Monday -- to replace the brand new car whose engine failed -- got into an accident, and it was turning into a logistical nightmare. I know. I was dangling on the edge of falling back into the rut. But, I fought it by telling myself that it could be a lot worse. I also took a nice walk outside in the sun...

But, I kept feeling like, MAN I just had a great girls' trip. Can I PLEASE enjoy it for longer than the plane ride home?

A wise person said to me (on Tuesday as a matter of fact), that anyone can be happy on vacation. But, being happy in adversity is the real accomplishment.

So there: I vow to find happiness despite adversity (only if the universe stops putting so many roadblocks in my way!) Just kiddin'.


Dr. Ty
From the GAL Blog
www.getalifecampaign.com