Hey, friend -

In the last couple of weeks, I've asked Prince Jack two semi-ridiculous questions.

Here's the first one...

K: How mad would you be if you came home one day and we had a cat?

J: Ohmagod. Why would you even ask me that?!

K: I was just thinking how nice it would be to have a cat curled up in my lap.

J: *blink* *blink* *blink*

K: I mean, would it be... a divorceable offense?

J: *pause* No?

I'm (probably) not getting a cat. Not only because Jack's "No?" wasn't overly convincing, but also because, "I am a dog person."

Here's the other one...

K: What if I went back to school?

J: *swallows hard* For what?

K: Not sure. Psychiatry? Neuropsych? Somatic therapy?

J: *blink* *blink* *blink*

K: I mean, would you be super upset if I made ... a little pivot?

J: *pause* No?

This one's trickier. Yes, "I am a writer." But lately I've been wondering what it might be like to complete "I am a ________"  differently.

It started with a sparkly nudge. Then it became a semi-weekly "Hmmmm." Then I got brave and told a friend what I'd been thinking about. Then the universe got allllllll up in my face and will not shut up about it.

Does that ever happen to you, ? Do you ever have an out-of-the-blue thought that just will not leave you alone?

If so...

Pep Talk #027: Let yourself wonder.
When a "What if I were to..." thought pops up, entertain it.

Be aware that if it's a really fun thought, it'll inevitably be chased by:

> "It's too late."
> "I'm too old/young/fat/thin."
> "My parents would be so disappointed."
> "My partner would never go for that."
> "It's too expensive."

Or eleventy billion other versions of "That'll never work."

And all I'm saying is "What if it COULD work?"

Now, listen: I'm not nearly naive enough to think anything is possible for everyone.

We each have our own economic realities, familial responsibilities, and health situations. Plus, on a societal level, all manner of -isms create real obstacles for loads of people.

I just think we mistake improbable for impossible waaaaaay too often.

I have two caveats...

First: I'm not suggesting you burn everything down on a whim. I'm only inviting you to let new ideas breathe. To give them a chance.

Second: Making big changes to "I am a _______" when you're feeling frantic, anxious, or otherwise discombobulated can have ... uncomfortable consequences.

If that's the spot you're in, go ahead and let yourself wonder while also working out some of that stress.

You're enough,
Kelley

P.S. This is really important, especially if you happen to be a client who's reading this: I will never not write. I can't not. (I just may do some other stuff, too.)

P.P.S. I really don't think "I am a cat person" is in my future. Unless a stray kitten accidentally ends up on my porch, in which case I will absolutely convert.