You Are What You Post

I recently saw a Ted talk about the very idea - that people develop ideas of who you are based on what you post. It made me start thinking. I started thinking about what I am. What I post. I don't post every day about working out (but I try to stay healthy and work out a lot). I have two kids - but one of them has asked me not to post much of anything about them (teenagers!). I love chocolate. I drink wine - but prefer beer. I hike - but don't post much about it. I don't watch much TV - but have a tendency to comment when someone says something about that one and only show that I do watch (AMAZING RACE). 

I read a book recently by Chalene Johnson (Beachbody, CampDoMore, TurboKick, Turbo Fire guru). In her book, Push she talked about writing goals - but not necessarily putting in the information on parts of you that are already inherent (I work out - I don't need to make that a GOAL). 

I was wondering how these two ideas converge. Social being - and inherent actions. When I was led to the larger question. Do you post the everyday mundane? Do you put something on facebook that is almost too normal? Do my friends really believe that I am a jet-setting (I've gone on a trip almost every month so far this year and have more planned), Snowboarding Shred Betty, single person who is out on the town every night?

I hope not. Because that is why I believe some people can begin to feel somewhat inadequate - when their "mundane" life doesn't live up to what someone else wrote about their fabulous life on facebook. 

The reality in my world tonight? My kids are fighting. I'm done playing referee. Someone is going to get hurt. I said it. I sound like my mom - I said I never would. My hair looks awful and I certainly wouldn't post a pic of me right now. We are wasting time as they stare absent-mindedly at the TV while they grouse about the fact that I don't have anything good to eat in the house. I am trying to ignore them - as I write a blog about...my daily nothingness. 

Life Companion

I recently got a new Galaxy 4S to try out. I like the phone - and the photo options are honestly AMAZING (more on that another time). Without changing any of the options yet, I noticed on the home screen it says "Life Companion" which at first I thought was cute and sort of funny. But the mroe I take a bit of time to think about it - I realize that it is kind of true. 

I would not know how to reach my parents, sister or even my own kids if I didn't have this phone. And what would I do if I was wating in an office for my appointment or at the Starbucks before my friend arrived? What would I listen to when I am bored, in the car, or on a run? How would I even know how to GET to the Starbucks without the map?  Ok, so that one might be taking it a little too far! I know how to get to Starbucks SHEESH! 

Beyond the basic uses of a phone these days - calls, texts, photos, calendar...I was thinking about the kajillion apps that I have downloaded because at one time I thought I would need them (or they were free). I really only use a couple apps pretty regularly. I am wondering if anyone else is the same?  Here are the ones I use REGULARLY:

Facebook AND Twitter - while I know that I can update using technology like Hootsuite, there is something to be said about really saying where you are when you are there. Posting a photo or even using that time to catch up on what other are doing (I don't spend hours on it like I used to at home - it's usually just in a time-waster thing).

MapMyFitness (most specifically MapMyHike) - I love love love this app as it tells me where I have hiked and how many miles. It even pits me against others who have taken the same path or are my "friends". They have also integrated music and photos.

Pandora - When I am at the pool, when I am cleaning and I don't want to listen to my kids about having to clean alongside me. When I want to get in a mood - or out of a mood. (I have like 20+ stations so depends on my mood what I will listen to).

While there are others that I play occasionally (solitare, DrawSomething, WordsWithFriends, SongPop)...the ones above seem to stand the test of time. 

What is on your Life Companion?

 

I Swear I Showered

I swear I showered. I know that I brushed my teeth. My Jr. High insecurities are creeping back in! Yikes. I thought I was a (semi) well-adjusted middle-age (seriously what the freak does that mean?) aged woman. I am in my 40s. I have two kids. I have a life of my own. But, when people ditch me it makes me want to become a turtle and hide!

I have this group of girlfriends that all went to school together (I'm talking Jr. High and High School here). We have been on a roll getting together a couple times a year. This has been going on for a couple years now. We are all at very different points in life (despite being the same age - we've just all taken these different routes). 

When we recently got together someone suggested that we do other fun things together. You know, just kind of throwing out some ideas...so we started a facebook group (thread). I have thrown out bar nights, a day at the horses, films, different dates...but they keep turning me down. NO ONE - not ONE of the six can go? EVER.

It sends me reeling back into Junior High - when I was so insecure about being part of the right group, saying the right thing or having my hair combed just the right way. This time though - I swear I've picked the right clothes (ones that actually fit me), brushed my teeth and I SWEAR I showered. 

Have you ever felt like there was still some remnant of Jr. High insecurities? 

It's on My Bucket List

I have heard many times about a bucket list. I am also really into reading self-help business books. There is a constant struggle between what is on a wishes and hopes list and those things I really will achieve. So I have written and re-written my list a million times. Some with things that see sort of not really achievable and other items that I should be able to get to in just a matter of months (or at the very least in the year).

I think a well crafted bucket list has some items on it that are truly my destiny and other items that seem a bit like they are so far out of the realm of "normal" that they really almost seem unreasonable. But, I have been lucky enough to tick several things off my bucket list that I never thought I would.

My daughter and I talked about this yesterday. About things that I have experienced...travel abroad, fly a plane, ride a motorcycle, learn to snowboard, have amazing kids, places I wanted to visit, people I wanted to meet, concerts I wanted to attend, starting a business...

So, what on my list that sort of seems unreasonable now? What will I get to next? I'm obviously not done with life - I've got too long of a list!