Blue Cars...

I've talked before about how I think the Universe talks to all of us. The reality of it is that it's our own subconscious telling us to pay attention but I like feeling more important than that so I say the Universe is talking to me.

But it's really the blue car phenomenon. When you get a new blue car suddenly you notice all of the other blue cars on the road. They were there yesterday as well, but you weren't primed to look for blue cars yesterday so today, BOOM! nothing but blue cars everywhere!

Yesterday YouTube recommended a video for me from a content creator I'd never seen. Now, it was algorithms at work, right? But it was still interesting to me. She was talking about style aesthetics and how the vintage look has been co-opted by the tradwife group. She was in a 1940s outfit complete with victory rolls. (it's a hairstyle for those of you that are like, what?) She's also a lesbian and disabled, so has ZERO interest in "the good old days" as a lifestyle. Those days would not have been good for her. At all.

But she loves the looks. And she's been struggling lately with if she should change her look because when people see her they assume some things about her that just aren't true. I wrote about this not too long ago. That my preference for wearing dresses puts me in a camp now at first glance that is not my camp.

It was an interesting watch for me, to see someone else who was thinking about it. Now, her look is tied with her "brand" and so changing everything up would be a bigger deal for her than it would for me. But she still came down on the side of Fuck it. I like what I like. People will learn soon enough that I am not what they think I might be based on looks alone. Good reinforcement to remember to be who I am without worrying so much about what anyone else thinks.

Then yesterday I was reading Jenny Lawson's new book. It's a little different than her other books, less straight up memoir, more self help. She has depression and anxiety and ADHD and has a whole host of autoimmune disorders. The book is filled with the things that have worked for her when she's struggled. Even if a lot of it didn't directly pertain to me I still really liked the book. First off, I like everything she writes. But second, I think a self help book by someone who I know struggles with the issues she's talking about is great.

It's like parenting books and parenting advice. Brent and I have always held to the standard that unless you can show me your grown children and I like how they turned out you can keep your advice to yourself. So many parenting advice books and columns came from people who didn't have kids yet it was ridiculous. Like, I get it, I was never a better parent than before Katie was born, but come on...you don't know. You have to have been in the shit to explain how you got out of it.

And then there was this part: "Catch yourself throughout the day and ask, What am I investing in right now? What will the payoff be? If it doesn't serve you, it's not for you." And come on! That's my whole theme for the year! Is this benefitting my brain or my heart? What good am I getting out of this, and if I'm not then why am I doing it?

It was a great blue car moment.

I like when the Universe talks to me. Even when it's saying, You're doing great. Just keep doing what you do and fuck anyone who doesn't agree.

I mean, I assume that's what the Universe was saying.

It could have been Start doing your hair in victory rolls, but I'm pretty sure it was the other thing.