"What do you do?" Terrible question.

I LOVE having the freedom to go to the pub and enjoy a few pints with my husband on any given day of the week, if he isn't flying his huge flying gas station. We may or may not have done that tonight. If you don't enjoy, or miss, the same freedom to spend quality time doing whatever you want with your significant other, whether you have kids or not, sorry, but I think you're missing out on something wonderful.

Big judgement, I know. But that is my opinion.

Also, this:

Quick side note. I love them.

I feel so fortunate to chi-lax (I ain't too old to use slang!) with my husband in the middle of the week and talk about worldly events and the things that are important to us.

Ok, so of course as we get older, the idea of children and what kind of weirdos our reproductive mixes might turn out to be becomes a greater percentage of the conversation.....but I undoubtedly will miss our nights out. With no restrictions.

Early last year, I wrote a post about my life as a SAHW (yup, that's wife...not mom), inspired by Lyz Lenz's post "The Life of a Mostly SAHM." (I didn't link it again because, well, I don't want to creep her out...Google it if you wish). Actually, I've written a few posts analyzing my outlook on (my) life, and to be quite honest, I kind of cringe when I re-read them.

Not because I am ashamed or embarrassed, but just because I sort of don't like that it seems that I felt I needed to justify where I was at in life. To myself? To others? Both?

Of course, when you essentially use your blog in place of a psychologist, I guess your true feelings end up having a time stamp on them. I see now that, at the time, I didn't feel as stable in dealing with the uncertainty my life choices have dealt me.   

But really, all this isn't about me. It's about this video (I know, that sounds like Buzzfeed always claiming 'THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT' on everything they post :)  Alain de Botton: A kinder, gentler philosophy of success. No, the point of the talk is not that everyone should get a trophy. It's about defining your own success.

Oh, 1:57. It really is everyone's favorite question. "What do you do?" It's true. In fact, an old lady on the train asked me that question today. It used to bother me soooo much. But over the last year, I've truly been able to stop caring about the fact that I can't say "student" or "I'm in the Air Force" anymore.  I don't have a cut and dry answer anymore, but honestly, what's it to them? I really think some people just don't know what else to ask, and that's fine. I usually just say "nothing" now. That must be so interesting for them to think about. But..."YOU DON'T KNOW ME" ;-) Seriously, though. Try just asking me.....what I'm interested in. Or something useful. Try asking anyone that, instead of...."what do you DO?" Or is it "What do YOU do?" Either way.

I spend a lot of my time brainstorming about how to take my interests and goals and turn them into what I believe I'm meant to be doing in this world, within the context of my life now. I know there is no time like the present, but I'm trying. I think that might sound selfish to a lot of people. I don't think it is and that is why I stopped caring.

If I'm honest, again, I think a lot of people either A) judge me for not working OR having kids and/or B) think my life is all sunshine and rainbows....like one of those rich wives who lives at the spa.

I have no idea if people are ACTUALLY thinking that about me. But I think that notion is a result of society and what Alain is describing. 

Of course it's only natural to forget that I don't care sometimes. When people are intrusive and judgmental. But that is them, not me. They may or may not be trying to define who I am with a few quick pieces of information, but it doesn't matter. Growing up, whenever I had problems dealing with other people or issues I couldn't control, my Dad always reminded me that the only thing I can control is me. I'm 29 and finally get it.

I feel fortunate that I've lived until 29, and have done a few things I'm proud of. I hope to keep that "success" going. 

Of course, I must give credit to my fellow writers who unknowingly act as my psychologists, and help me to remember that....

...the grass is always greener.....on the other side:
http://joannarenteria.com/2011/12/13/i-was-considering-grad-school-and-then-i-saw-this-hilarious/
so funny :)

and

...a lot of people judge. we all judge. we shouldn't. and some people will always have an opinion about what you should be doing instead of caring about what makes you happy. but maybe one day we'll all get there:

http://momastery.com/blog/2012/01/21/friendly-fire/

and

...oh, again, some women just love to judge. I do like this piece as a husband who feels inclined to defend the hard-working mother of his children to other women being....rude, frankly. On the other hand, I also appreciate the commenter(s) who points out that many women simply "don't know" what stay at home moms do all day, so their questions are somewhat justified. I don't know....it's always good to see the other side, but I have had a full time crazy job and don't have kids myself, and my observations of motherhood lead me to believe it's kind of like prison. So to ask a mom what she does all day is sort of just....naive.
http://themattwalshblog.com/2013/10/09/youre-a-stay-at-home-mom-what-do-you-do-all-day/

and

...it's ok to just be happy.
http://www.sarahannnoel.com/2013/06/letting-go.html

Carry on. Be happy. Define your own success.