Welcome!
Welcome !!!
Hi everyone! I am both excited and overwhelmed as I begin this blog. Excited because it is the beginning of 2009, a new year, with infinite possibilities and opportunities that I can’t even begin to imagine. Overwhelmed because, like you I’m sure, life seems to get more difficult to manage gracefully as each year passes. I feel like I’ve seen it, been through it, wanted, had, lost, and dealt with it all, although I know I haven’t. I won’t begin this with any boring New Year’s resolutions and vows to avoid food after midnight, because I’m sick of letting myself down. What I am going to resolve to do is give myself a break, and I hope you will too. In preparation of doing this, I’m forcing myself to be very honest about where I am in life. I’ve written down the ugly truth about the things I’m not so proud of, and getting them out of my mind and on paper was scary but also a relief.
So wherever you’re at in life, whether it be lonely, depressed, unhappy at work, unfulfilled in a relationship, out of touch with friends, out of touch with your money, overweight, underpaid, stuck, unmotivated, or unfocused, there won’t be any judgment placed here. Even the best of us have skeletons in our closets. If you haven’t dealt with them and feel like you need to, put them down on paper and then give yourself a break because beating yourself up doesn’t change anything. Once you’ve made your list, take a look at it and then read this: “I can manage this.” I’m not saying in every case you won’t need help, we all do at some point in our lives, but that is also part of being able to manage things.
One more thing before you put it away someplace safe, (so you aren’t dwelling on it every day), think of one person you can tell. If you don’t trust anyone that much, send it here and it will be kept confidential. Hell, send it to Henry, he knows all of my secrets and despite my attempts, I’ve never been able to get him to talk.
Now go take a bubble bath, write in your gratitude journal, have a glass of red wine or something equally rewarding and GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK (and quit rewarding yourself with Coach bags if you’re in debt sweetheart!)
On January 21st, 2009 at 8:08 am NameDrew said:
Congrats!!!!! Glad to see you up and running…….
On January 21st, 2009 at 7:32 pm Tina Hanna said:
This is a wonderful website full of information for any Independent Belle on the go!! Smart, creative and absolutely fun! Thank you!
On January 22nd, 2009 at 9:39 pm mandy said:
I am so excited that Independent Belle is finally here!!! This is wonderful! I love you!
On February 3rd, 2009 at 11:48 am Jamie said:
Way to go, Laura! I’m impressed, and ready to jott! Look forward to seeing more of me!
On February 11th, 2009 at 9:22 am Name Barbara Stuckey said:
Finally a place we can all call “home!” Thank you, Laura, for building this site for all of us. (Even those of us who are independent in spirit only.) I would like to recommend a very entertaining read that, I believe, will appeal to everyone: The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. Talk about putting the “fun” in dysfunctional!! Let me know what you think!
On April 14th, 2009 at 8:52 am Deb said:
this is a very good read with great information. I can totally relate to this. Looking forward to checking out everything on here. Have a good one.