Happy April Fool’s Day! Today you are getting a post written by Shannon at Librarian Lists and Letters. This “blog exchange” was organized by the amazing Alex at everybody loves you. You can read my guest post on Oh Honestly Erin and read about my best worst date ever which involves broken noses, septum piercings, and Baby Spice.
I love that Prettyburgh aims at keeping us healthy, happy, and beautiful but knows that any lady in Pittsburgh must balance that with beer, football, and hockey. Over at A Librarian’s Lists and Letters, I blog about life, dating, not-dating, and what it means to be 30-something in this city. But I write it a long series of lists and letters. So as a guest post here today? I thought it would be fitting to take care of the “happy” in Prettyburgh. The people we surround ourselves are a huge part of just how happy we can be. And if you’re anything like me, it can be hard to walk away from people we’ve held close for so long, even if they’re doing damage. It can be a challenge to be fiercely loyal. Mainly when loyalty gets in the way of our own sanity and happiness.
So, today I bring you a list of people all women should have in their life. Because these people are worth your time.
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Parents who love and support you. Even if you don’t get along with them all of the time, even if they are no long with you, even if too much time with them can lead to fights and disagreements. The love and support may come in different ways, but as long as you know it’s really there.
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Friends who understand you. And still love you because they understand you. These are the friends who let you cry it out, but give you tough love too. These friends are not to be confused with the ones who only want you at their life events and invite you to dinner so they can just gab about their significant others or Facebook drama. These are the ones who can be found in yoga pants, sharing wine and/or ordering Chinese food with you on Friday nights. They’re the friends who can help solve life crises through emails and car trips. And love you with all their heart. Just as much as you love them.
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A Boss who gives you respect and freedom. In my early 20s I had an experience with a pretty nasty boss. It gave me stomach ulcers, anxiety, sleepless nights and a whole lot more. I was too young to recognize that a good supervisor respects your decisions and gives you room to grow. Eventually I moved on and met a whole new professional world and my own world has been growing since. Try to learn this lesson earlier.
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A significant other you can trust, makes you laugh, and loves you enough to look past your faults. This is the tricky one. In fact, I’m still searching for it. But all of the men I’ve dated in the past have shown me a little bit more of want I don’t want, and a whole lot more of what I do want. One thing is clear, settling for someone who gives less than that you give isn’t going to work out in the end. So don’t do it.
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Friends in foreign lands. Traveling is expensive, but to not travel would be boring. But keeping up with friends you’ve met along the way is easy. Write letters, send postcards, message on Facebook. Even if it’s years until you see them again, you’ll feel more connected. And hey, when you do get some extra money for a travel budget they might have a bed for you to sleep on.
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A co-worker as a buddy. You can be friends with your boss, but in order to really be happy at work, you’re going to need to find someone who is in a similar position as you. And that you can trust. They’re the person you’ll go to happy hour with. The one who will listen to you complain. And eventually they may turn into the person you meet on the weekends too.
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Someone who is going to rock…the bedroom. Chances are the first person to really do this isn’t going to be your first S.O. It’s probably not going to be your second either. But every girl needs someone who is going to worship her body, treat her right, and show her what she’s been missing. I’d recommend finding this person when you’ve reached come out of the bad, dark place after a break-up. When you’re ready to commit again, but really need someone to challenge you. And if you’re lucky, maybe the two of you will stick together forever. And if not, then you just know what you’re looking (or what you can teach) when that forever-person does stay.
So, dear Prettyburgh readers, who is included on your list?
Many thanks to Alex over at Everybody Loves You for putting this guest blogger exchange together. I thought it was fun, and I hope you do too.
