I have been thinking a lot about what I'm doing to hold myself back in life, both personally and professionally, and I've pinpointed a couple of things. I make these declarations now, out loud and publicly in order to make a contract with myself to change stuff that needs to be changed.

1.) I have been prideful about celibacy and singlehood. The truth is, those things are a backlash of my childhood and a refusal to make the same mistakes and take the same safety risks as my mother. I will no longer make decisions or refuse to take action based on those fears. I will move forward with the flow of things and open myself up to every opportunity presented to me. I will play more.

2.) I will no longer hide myself behind my responsibilities as a mother. I need to take care of myself too - I deserve to love and be loved. I deserve to let myself do those things. I thought I was good at doing that, but I've been holding back, or getting involved in circumstances that did not allow for me to move forward.

3.) I will trust my instincts.

4.) I will trust my abilities.

5.) I will focus on right now. No more holding onto the past and kicking myself for mistakes. I will think positively about the future without waiting around for it and missing or forgetting what I'm doing. I will be grateful for the past and work for a good future, but live right now.

6.) I will slow down. Listen. And breathe.

7.) I will wear sunblock and sunglasses every day.

No more excuses, or anxiety, or guilt, or indecision. No more holding back because I don't know what's coming.