Brief walk down memory lane with AJ

AJ's Book Corner(ABC's)

Title: Stop Self-Sabotage. Six steps to unlock your true motivation, harness your willpower, and get out of your own way.

Author(s): Dr. Judy Ho, PHD

Link: I'm Reading...

What I’m listening to...

Name of Album: The House We Live In

Artist: Arlissa

Favorite Song: The House We Live In

Link: I'm Listening to...

What I’m Watching

Name of Show: Shameless Season 11

Brief Overview: Shameless is in their final season, and they are putting the viewers back in the chaotic environment of the Gallagher’s.

I like that the writers of Shameless always tackle current issues, in this season the issue of gentrification is a main focus as well as racial issues as well

When I was younger, I felt a lot of anger toward people who still had their parents alive because I felt they had more opportunities. I thought that people who had parents had a safety net to catch them if they failed, they had someone to reach out to help and I didn’t.

Which is not true.

Back then I was angered, depressed I missed many opportunities because I was afraid to fail, I thought that I would fail, and no one would be there to help me. When I was a kid growing up, I was dealing with the ecosystem of school, wanting to fit in with my peer group. The school ecosystem is A LOT and back then social media wasn’t as prevalent, so I cannot imagine what it is like for kids now. It’s so much.

While it’s easier for me to look at the loss of my parents as a disadvantage it has its advantages. When I began to heal with therapy, I began to realize that while parents tend to be significant influences in our lives having them can limit us.

I internalized my emotions, in doing so I turned to writing to constructively express myself. I firmly believe-- and I’ve had ppl argue this with me that I would not have become the writer I am if my parents would not have died. Whether it was my purpose or not I would not have used writing to express myself as I do because I would’ve had both of my parents and be able to communicate with them.

And that’s just one thing.

I'm grateful for the suffering that I’ve had to face to make it to the better place I am today.

Don’t wander away from yourself to get close to someone else.

-Unknown

I like this quote to remind myself that I need to constantly be learning myself in order to not go against myself for others, whether that be family or friends.

For example, I’m an introvert, and while I like to hang out with my friends and family, I also require a long amount of time to recharge after. So, while I would love to constantly hang out with my friends and family, I know that need to recharge after and can’t just go, go, go. I owe myself that rest and I am deserving of it.