First, it drives me nuts that I can’t write on here more. It’s a high-quality problem though so I can’t complain too much. The last couple of months have been a lot of big changes and although, in the end, they all resulted in good things, it still was a process to get to a new normal!
One thing that has changed for the good is I’m working for myself. I could go on and on about this but the bottom line is that this has been the greatest gift at this time in my life for a whole myriad of reasons. I hesitate to give too many details and really, I’d rather focus on the positive than the negative. So, I’ll just say this: This is the first time in a long time where I’m able to truly be “me”. I don’t have to limit my ideas, sense of humor, personality or, most importantly, what I work on or who I work with. Of the many lessons I’ve learned recently, one of the biggest ones is you don’t realize how much a negative situation (person, environment, etc.) can impact who you are and your happiness. As super corny as this sounds, I feel free and able to pursue any and every opportunity that supports true infertility advocacy and my personal interests in general.
As a good friend of mine said, “You are free to be your authentic self without compromise.” And really, that’s a super kick ass awesome goal for all of us to have!
This has opened the door to many opportunities and projects, which has been wonderfully fantastic. The only thing is that it can keep me from this blog. HOWEVER, I’m now blocking off time (Yay having total autonomy over my schedule! Whomp whomp!) to write a new post every two weeks. Get it? EVERY TWO WEEKS.
Secondly, and on this note, I posted the below on Social Media a month or so back and it got a very big response.
He is now five and a half years old (Jesus, where has the time gone?!?). He is also, as you also may recall, on the Autistic Spectrum. He is high functioning, speaks (although is speech delayed), has a sense of humor and I often equate him to a human Rubix cube. Once you figure him out, he really is a lot of fun.
I’ve been as open about this as I have been about my infertility issues. What’s funny to me is there are very specific similarities between the two issues. Whenever I talk about either, many seem to either think I should be embarrassed OR they try to explain away the problem. With infertility, is it because I was too stressed or waiting too long to have kids? With autism, is it because he was conceived through IVF or because I had him vaccinated?
It does not matter if you have or don’t have children, if you have infertility, if you have autism or if you are either completely perfect (lucky you!) or far from it. YOU. STILL. MATTER.
Seeing a post from you always makes me smile. But this particular post I really needed to hear. Thinking of you and all the transitions you are navigating. And thanking you for being an awesome role model.
YOU MATTER…it's the team motto for my walk next weekend. It's also so effing important to get that out. No matter the situation, everyone matters. I love seeing your posts…Like Cristy said, they always make me smile. SO every two weeks at least I'm guaranteed a smile. You best keep that up. I need my smiles. Thank you also for everything you do. Hugs to you lady! You are and always have been an inspiration.
This is an amazing post that resonated so much with me. I've recently been feeling less than okay because everyone around me is becoming pregnant for a second time and it's brought back a lot of painful feelings. But you are right. I do matter. I am not a failure because of infertility and I do have the right to be my authentic self!
this makes me cry. ty