Life of an Upside Down Woman

                                                                                                 Grief is not just felt because of the death of a loved one; it is the death of a relationship or an idea. Despite knowing you are making the right decision in life, the ending or the death of what you once had or believed is just as heart-wrenching and piercing as actually losing someone. Why? You lose pieces of yourself in the process. Pieces break off and float away in the wind or turn to ash in an instant, and everything you thought or knew is wrong or robbed from you. You become numb, you replay conversations, second-guess your choices, and you grieve the loss of something that was an integral part of y...

  As I board the plane, the knot in my stomach loosens, and I feel like I can breathe and not be on high alert. Most people are stressed by flying and traveling, but not me. I have some food issues, which can cause stress, but the idea of not having any responsibility other than myself is a sweet treat.  I have always been a caretaker, in one way or another. I helped my mom with my siblings when I was younger, I watched out for my friends, making sure they didn't do anything dumb, although I was also the ring leader.  I take care of my family and my friends. But I always seem to forget to take time for myself. But that was changing; I was reminding myself every day that I had to prioritize my health, both physical and mental.  As the plane doors shut and the adventure's about to begin, I could finally let go and just breathe.