Video games are the shit.

Never in a million years did I ever think I would be into video games but holy hell has it been super healing to my inner  child. 

When my baby was born, I had this radical shift in self. I quickly realized that my intuition knows better than anyone else (duh) but actually quieting the world around you to actually listen is a totally different story. 

There are a fuck ton of opinions on how to be a good/great/fantastic parent and the only advice that I ever took was "To not take anyone's advice."

From the moment(s) I really started to harness my power, I've started to see other aspects of me unfolding. 

You hear more often than not with a kid around "Oh they must get that from so-n-so" and it's starting to drive me up the wall. Totally guilty of doing it myself but now I'm catching myself. All this to say we can be tainted by this perspective. 

I always thought I was a lot like my mom and in many many MANY ways I am. We have very similar interests, we eat similar things, and enjoy similar things but I've also realized how toxic that can be. 

The things she didn't like, my brother didn't like, my friends didn't like...I always avoided. 

Growing up my childhood best friend was going to swimmeets and winning gold medals while I was playing on my bike. When it came time to explore new ideas, I was told something like it was "weird" "scary" "unattractive" oh and my ultimate favorite "inappropriate."  

Here I am turning 30 this year and I've finally turned the outside static off. Unless I'm directly harming someone or putting tremendous stress on those around me, whatever my heart wants to do, I'm going to do it. 

I started reading fantasy fiction and I'm talking about the rounchy stuff. The little twilight die-hard in me is having a ball and not giving two shits if anyone I know personally cares or not. 

HOW LIBERATING

I realized how impactful it was on my mental health that I'm guilty to share and push this on to others. I quickly realized or maybe remembered that what works for someone else doesn't work for everyone so kept the door open. 

When my husband approached me about video games, I was a little skeptical. I had preconceived notions that only lazy people played video games. How very very wrong I was. I knew there were many different games from strategy, to combat, to you name it but I never allowed myself to be open to it myself. Sure, I played Sims but that was PC so that was different...(lol what a joke) and kinda thought those who played video games were antisocial.

Though it does make my introverted heart extremely happy to pop into bed with my Switch, I've come to realize how very wrong I was about all of it. 

Being able to notice where my inner child has been challenged or hurt before has been freeing as an adult.

Next time you want to do something but you stop, ask yourself why. Are you stopping because of someone else's opinions or fears being projected on you? Are you worried you might fail? Are you worried you might be seen as different? 

And so what if. What if someone gives you grief, not your problem. 

What if you fail but then also learn something REALLY cool?

What if you are seen as different and this gives other's permission to do the same?