PbyCj

What a day.

Earlier I was under sinks and behind toilets trying to fix a leaking toilet and sink. Now I’m at dinner in cute green shoes ordering rainbow trout. Life really be life-ing.

Sometime last week, it dawned on me that I had been looking at life and productivity all wrong. There’s a list — you know the list — of things I’ve been delaying facing head on. Important things. Not small things. Years-long things.

And if I’m honest, it hasn’t been about laziness. It’s been emotional weight.

But the other day, the thought came:

What if I treated the challenging things in my life like a celebratory event instead of a stressful task?

What if I dressed up and got cute and treated the task like a date?

This was like Thursday or something. But the mindset shift? Immediate. Because I didn’t just think it — I acted on it.

I haven’t been on a date in years. I don’t even think about getting “cute” like that anymore. But I was like… why not? Why not face life, cute?

So I started planning the “date.”

I ordered a dress and some shoes.

I went and bought a tint called Maybelline Super Stay Skin Tint in the shade “Knee-High.” And let me tell you — the color does give.

Now it’s important to note: I wasn’t wearing makeup before this. At all. So this is new territory for me. But I tried the tint and I’ve been wearing it for days now. I also got my eyebrows done — huge deal — but it’s been fun. Exciting, even. Building up to my date.

And here’s the part I love:

I didn’t wait until the day of to enjoy the changes.

I feel more like myself. Which is so important.

In my younger days, I was very relationship-centered. Then once I got married, my identity wrapped itself around that. Or maybe it got lost in it. It almost feels like a hijacking, for better words. Not anyone’s fault — just ignorance on my end.

I outsourced my joy.

My fun.

My effort.

Without him, I wouldn’t even try.

As I write this, I realize how layered this is. But that’s life. Peeling layers for growth and transformation.

Anyway — I have to act fast before I get sleepy — but this is Episode 1 of Facing It Cute.

Today’s “date”? Facing divorce papers.

Forms FL-140, 141, 142, and 150.

It wasn’t as bad as I thought.

The emotional weight is what causes delay. That heaviness. But because I positioned myself to focus — while being cute and fed lol — I had the capacity to handle it. I even had the capacity to communicate with my ex.

That’s growth.

Overall, it’s been nice. Intentionally adding good to what I do.

This restaurant is pretty cool. The vibe is warm and quiet. Service is kind. The food is good. I liked the dessert. There’s no hard closing time. And there’s WiFi.

I once tried working in a restaurant like this — but it was a loud chain spot that closed early. This? This feels different. Calm. Spacious.

I even conversed with strangers.

And that might not sound big, but it is.

I really have not been living my life to the fullest. But that’s changing.

Breaking free from depression.

Breaking free from performing.

Taking the steps I need to take to get my life in order — and doing it cute.

Should I order a new dress for the next date?

These shoes though… yes? 💅🏾