Why We Hide: 4 Things I've Learned From My Unconventional Path in Life Motherhood Opinion

My life situation is so upside down it makes me crazy at times. Taking care of a toddler, worrying about an aging husband who’s nearly 40 years my senior and trying to gain meaningful employment in a new city feels completely overwhelming at times. However, I’ve been able to shed some important light on things I think I would not have understood until much, much later in life if I had chosen a “conventional” path.

• Mortality! Don’t take it for granted! Ever!
• Do not neglect to read every line (however annoying) of your insurance policies, legal documents, Social Security or any retirement documents. If you do not understand find someone to explain it.
• Follow your gut, inner voice, shoulder angels or whatever your heart tells you. Your instincts can pull from a source in the universe that your head just cannot comprehend. Trust it.
• Lastly, do not hide. It’s easy to shut people out, make an excuse not to call, write people off (I’m not talking about the toxic ones – they need to go!), but make space in your heart and in your life for those who matter. Yes, it takes effort. Yes, you don’t want to listen to your mother’s cooking tips for the 100th time, but trust me when I say, you’ll cherish that call, text or visit later in life.

We hide because it’s easy. We hide because we are too tired. We hide because it seems safe. Do not do it. You’ll thank yourself later.