You Do You. No, not in that way!
Updated: Aug 5, 2021
Okay I know this sounds weird, but bare with me! For those looking for some kind of sexual reference or goings.. you're not going to find it here! #ByeFelicia.
Anyway. For those who know me personally, this is something I say quite frequently. Although with the pandemic.. the only person who hears this more often than enough is my common-law partner whom I live with. Don't feel sorry for him, he will be okay - haha!
But seriously. Such a simple phrase, with a lot of meaning! A friend of mine posted awhile ago to her social media asking, "If you had one word to describe what 2021 will be for you, what would it be?" Honestly, I had no idea! For someone who always has something to say and more often than enough thinks she has all the right answers, (yes Donald for the record I can be wrong sometimes, shh) I had no answer; but it kept me thinking. Earlier in this month of February, it hit me. I wasn't going to aim to introduce anything new per say.. but rather I would aim to stay consistent with a trait that had done me well in 2020 when the #pandemic first hit. The word? #patience.
To fully understand the depth of this word, and if you don't know me, I can be extremely impatient. Just the way I am and the way I've been most of my life - but I'm working on it! Read on. One of my fathers friends favourite words that he loves to use (especially around me) is the notion of "instant gratification" and that the millennial generation is attached to it at the hip. I don't completely disagree.. So with that said, patience. I practiced and introduced patience more than ever in 2020, both personally and professionally. You could say it was out of desperation, and I'm fine with admitting that. I owe a lot to this word. I gave it the time and it treated me well. A new relationship was formed you could say. I'm going somewhere with this, promise. Patience brought me much more than just the meaning of the word. What is that meaning, anyway? According to Google:
pa·tience /ˈpāSHəns/ noun 1. the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.
I read this definition and still giggle, not going to lie. I shamefully admit that I never thought this word would be part of my vocabulary.
Patience. This little two syllabel word brought me #Connection, #Empathy, #Responsibility, and undoubtedly #SelfGrowth.
#Connection - learning to lean on others when I needed it most.
#Empathy - to truly, and I mean deeply try and relate to another persons beliefs and lifestyle.
#Responsibility - to take ownership of my actions and to think before I speak.
#SelfGrowth - we all grow and mature at different rates, but there's nothing like a pandemic to kick that up a few notches for ya.
So here we are and we've now come full circle. #PracticingPatience has taught me to literally learn to chill the f*ck out, for lack of better words.
So when I say you do you, this is what I'm leaning on.
- You be you, and I'll be me.
- We won't always agree, but I will try to understand.
- Whatever floats your boat.
- No judgement here.
- I promise to lead with the best intentions.
- Let's be civil and co-exist.
- If you want to bring me into your conversation, I'll listen.
So with the state of the world, and at the end of the day, all I gotta say is you do you.
Do what you need to do to feed your children, pay those bills, mend that broken heart, pick up the groceries, keep the roof over your head, show up to work, and care for your health.
Do what you need to survive. THRIVE, and #StayAlive.
However it looks..
You do you.