Un-Adulting: Dropping Labels

Today is the first of my new series, “Un-Adulting December.” This month I am working on being more present, having more fun, being more in alignment, and doing less existing and more living.

Image of a curly-haired child swinging on a blue and yellow swing. 
Text states: Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist
It's "Un-Adulting" December
More fun
Less labels
More alignment
Less existing
More living
I am unapologetically un-adulting this month
mdillondesigns.com

Adulting by your definition might not be a bad thing, but adulting by my definition is doing all the things society collectively agrees make you an adult. The pursuit of adulting well was draining all my energy, so I’ve decided I don’t wanna. ๐Ÿ˜† I’m gonna show up daily doing my best to be present, enjoying my life… un-adulting.

Does this mean I’m going to stop feeding my child, or start feeding her sweets all day? No. Does this mean that I’m going to start driving with my feet? No. However, it might mean that when I feel like rushing to the store in the middle of the night, I’ll ignore that voice that says, “You can’t wear your ducky slippers to Walgreens.” ๐Ÿ˜†I may allow myself to skip through the parking lot, rather than walk like a sensible adult. I may buy myself a game system for Christmas instead of an upgrade of Turbo Tax….

And I’m releasing the rules of how I need to do things based on the labels I placed on myself (i.e. “introverted), or that others placed on me (i.e. “shy”). I can have a tendency to be introverted and still choose to introduce myself first to someone. I can be a “good mom” and get my daughter McDonald’s for dinner because I don’t feel like cooking, today. I can be happily single and still choose to go out on a date because companionship is fun, too.

I’m giving myself permission to be more ME this month. And I’m sharing my journey with you. Will you please join me?

Check out my daily podcast, Share and Let’s Live! with Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist every day this month, and I’ll tell you all about it. ๐Ÿฅฐ

๐ŸŽ™ย Listen here:ย 

Listen to my daily podcast series Un-Adulting December!

Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist
Podcaster, Creator, Visionary atย Share and Let’s Live!
Owner, CEO, Publisherย MDillon Designs & Publishing
Author, Designer, Illustrator atย I’m Proud to Be Natural Me!

Check out my website,ย mdillondesigns.comย to learn more!ย ๐Ÿ˜˜

Who You Become in Relationships Pt 1

Who we are in relationships says a lot about who the other person is, but even more about what we believe.

Image of a couple in bed. Male presenting with beard sitting up slightly, reclined on pillow near headboard, covers over him to the waist, fingers (possibly interlaced) under covers. Looking down at covers. Female wearing wedding/engagement ring, sitting up with knee pulled to chest at foot of the bed, hands over face, apparently upset. appearance. 
Text states: Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist
Who we are in relationships says a lot about who the other person is, but even more about what we believe. mdillondesigns.com

If you shrink into a lesser version of yourself, it could mean that they are domineering, but it could also mean that you don’t feel confident and safe to stand in your power.

If you are overbearing, loud, and controlling, it could mean that they don’t take the initiative, but it could also mean that you hold deep fear around not being in control.

If you are clingy and barely give them room to breathe, it could mean that they aren’t affectionate enough or reassuring, but it could also mean that you carry deep insecurities and abandonment issues.

Oftentimes, we think the issues in our relationship are about them, when the core of why we attracted them speaks volumes of our need for inner healing.

Moving into a new relationship is great and grand, if you are unhappy (and the new situation is healthy), but it’s important to take the time to heal, because you bring YOU with you. You don’t want the same relationship with just a different name. It’s important to take time to heal, and see yourself, before coupling with someone new.

Blessings,

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Turn the Other Cheek

Image: Turquoise background with white and purple text. Centered on the page is a Black man in a gray t-shirt holding his hand out  as if to say, "stop, don't come any further." Text states: Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist
Unpopular Opinion: I'm done going out of my way to be nice to people who hurt me with no remorse.
mdillondesigns.com

There is an associated podcast episode for this blog. To listen, tap the button below.


Today, I gave myself a gift.

I was always raised to take the high road, to be nice to people who mistreat me, to turn the other cheek. For most of my life, I’ve been a doormat, I let people treat me any kind of way and then just let them be. If our paths crossed, I’d still be polite, because “that’s the right thing to do.” I’d take all their attacks, abuse, the slander, and still greet them politely.

Today, I nearly did the same. I saw them and that part of my upbringing that echoes in my mind was getting louder and louder. “You have to speak. At least wave. It doesn’t look good. It’s rude. That’s not the way you were raised.” I nearly gave in to that voice. Then, I closed grabbed my purse, closed my car door, and … turned the other cheek. I walked right up my stairs, unlocked my door, walked in and closed it behind me.

And yes… I’m still wearing those leggings from earlier…. but it’s dark out so they might not have noticed that I really turned the other cheek. ๐Ÿ˜†

Sometimes the most empowering thing we can do for ourselves is to stop acting like we’re cool with people who treat us like sh*t. I’ve decided to stop going out of my way to be nice to them. I will not mistreat them. AND I will no longer behave inauthentically. (You don’t like me. I don’t like you either. Let’s drop the pretenses.)

This year has been a voyage into all things authenticity for me. I am grateful that I had this opportunity to show up differently and turn my back on those who are not for me.

It felt good. It felt right. And I’m glad I listened to my truth and kept walking. Maybe this is helpful to you. Maybe you’re going out of your way to look unbothered to someone who could really care less. No matter what you do/don’t do, they still don’t like you, so maybe it’s time to care a little less. Let them think what they want. They’re going to anyway….

Do what empowers you. If it feels good to show up dressed to the nines so they can see you’re doing just fine, do that. And if it feels good to show up in sweats and Crocs to pick up the kids from your ex (because you just don’t care enough about their opinion to go out your way), do that. For me, turning my back and walking away rather than doing a polite smirk and wave felt like a mic drop and standing ovation, so I did that.

You do you. I gladly did me, today, and I hope my story empowers you.

BTW…. if you’re wondering about the leggings…. check out today’s #podcast. The title is, “Vicky’s Secret is Out.” ๐Ÿคฃ You can listen to it here….

Be ready to laugh your ๐Ÿ‘ off! ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚

Enjoy and Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

#embarrassingmoments#podcast#funny#storytelling#selflove#selfcompassion#growth#personalgrowth#healingjourney

Choose Kindness

Image of Black woman with multicolored box braids leaning over smiling at a Black man with a short curly haircut, sitting in a wheelchair. She has her hands on his shoulders and he's smiling back her. Text states: "Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist
When the opportunity arises, choose kindness. 
mdillondesigns.com"

Day 4 “It’s Nice to Be Nice” #THANKYOUNOV Podcast Series
Share & Let’s Live! w/ Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Today, I had multiple opportunities to be kind and helpful. And I took every single opportunity. It felt good to be helpful, but most importantly, I was thinking about the other person and offered, not to make myself feel good, but because they looked like they needed the help and I wanted to support.

So often in our society people are nervous to offer help. People are afraid to be rejected or to offend somebody. I get that. AND I’m still offering. I will offer if it seems the person is having a hard time, and I’ll phrase it in a way that I believe is purely kind. I don’t make the assumption that a person can’t do it themselves. I just offer to help. “Can I help you with that?” It’s really that simple. They can always say, “No,” or “I’ve got it.” “Would you like me to get that for you?” Most times I receive one of two responses, “No. That’s okay. Thank you. I’ve got it,” or just a look of relief combined with, “You’d really do that for me?”

Many people in our society are jaded from personal experiences, and probably more from what they’ve heard other people say. Well, when I have an opportunity to be kind, and I’m in a place to do so (mentally, physically, emotionally, financially, etc.), I’ll offer. And if they don’t want/need my help, that’s fine. But what if they really do? What if I was there at that time because they needed someone kind to support them? What if they were just thinking or praying for some kind soul to come by and offer to help, but I didn’t offer because of some story I made up in my head?

I’m gonna choose kindness. I hope you’ll also choose kindness.
Check out today’s podcast where I share the actual story of what happened today.

Remember to choose kindness.

Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

If you’d like to listen to the podcast episode associated with this blog post, please use the button below to listen.