Living an Authentic Life is something I’ve given a lot of thought to this summer. I look around at trends and what everyone, is doing and wonder, “Is that something I would REALLY like?”

Shiplap comes to mind. That’s NOT gonna happen for me. I already have that pine paneling that was in every home built in the late 1940’s and I don’t have the money to replace it with dry wall. I sure as heck am not going to replace it with boards that go horizontally rather than vertically.

BTW people, that stuff is a pain in the neck to keep clean. Just so ya know.

Being a vegetarian or vegan? Maybe I could be more like a vegetarian and eat less meat but let’s face it, I like bacon a little too much to go all-out. And I do love the scent of new leather. But that’s just me. Come over for tea and I’ll make you up a vegan treat if that is your thing. Or not.  It’s entirely up to us.

I also put loads of fresh Mozzarella cheese all over a tomato galette!

Should I spend my Saturday morning at the Farmers Market? Yeah, OK, I might do that one at some point but right now my garden needs all my “free” time. And while I’m physically able to get out there I’m gonna do that.

Old age is banging at the door ya’all!

Follow the craft industry and/or blogging crowd and buy into the next big scheme guaranteed to bring in 6 figures or jump on another design team that wants to pay me in glitter so I can be part of some imaginary “clique”? Nope. Not gonna do that either. I’ll sit here with my 10’s of readers and promote only things I actually use while buying my own art supplies but I’m not working for free.

How about working a 9-5 job so I can not whine about not having money to rip out ugly paneling and maybe drive a car that isn’t older than my mother? Yeah, I tried that and failed miserably. I’m a bawdy, artsy, feminist and that doesn’t go over well with the corporate crowd.

The question is, what feels like an authentic life to you?

I’m so tired of seeing young moms pressured into doing things they aren’t suited to just because their sheeple are doing it. And that includes everything from staying home, to breast feeding, to sewing handmade Halloween costumes.

You do you, babe. OK?

What about us older women? The kids are all gone and our time is more our own. Do you WANT to spend your summers baby sitting grandchildren or would you rather “stick needles in your eyes” travel? Don’t feel like you HAVE to become the go-to babysitter just because some of your friends are doing it. If you aren’t into it you aren’t going to be making happy memories with the grands. Rather, you’ll probably all spend the summer miserable.

Offer to take them once a week or for a weekend now and then. Heck, offer to pay for a portion of the child care if you can afford to do that. You raised your kids and now you get to do some of what you WANT to do. AmIRight?

Do you need to get more physically fit? Do it your way. Don’t go to a gym if you don’t want to. Play tennis, garden, mow the lawn, or some other physical hobby that gets you sweating.

Are you feeling like the ladies in your ladies club have become a bit too prudish? Find something else to do. The world needs volunteers and there are so many options you are bound to find an opportunity that is more suited to you. Just because you spent a long time as part of a group doesn’t mean you have to hang around if it isn’t authentic.

Ain’t nobody got time for that.

Dare to raise quail rather than chickens if that’s what you want!

The point I’m making is that it’s time to stand on your own two feet and own what makes you happy. That’s not easy for those of us who have devoted a good chunk of our lives to other people but it is truly necessary. We all deserve some happiness, some love and someplace where we can give and it is received.

For me it’s taken a couple of years to find my authentic self sans kids but it’s been a time of discovery and surprises. It’s been hard but it’s also been fun.

I’ve discovered that I’m more bohemian gypsy farmer lady wanna be than I ever imagined when I was younger. And that’s been fun. I find myself trying all sorts of things I would never have 5 or 10 years ago.

It may take you some time to figure out what you are all about but I guarantee it is worth it.

Meanwhile, I’m checking out the possibility of having a few llamas and spinning my own wool. Doesn’t that sound like a blast?

It does to me, and that’s all that matters.

It’s my authentic life and I will live it the way I choose.