Faithfully Frazzled

1. Beach towels dry you off better than bath towels.
2. Chocolate cake does, in fact,  taste better than skinny feels but you can still try to eat healthier. 
3. “Your worth is not measured by your productivity” is a mantra all ADHD people should repeat daily. 
4. If you’ve kept your childlike sense of wonder at the world around you it doesn’t mean you’re childish. It’s a blessing. 
5. The secret to those people movers at airports is to stop walking right at the end and then lift your foot up and step off. Easy peasy. 
6. All spiders are not created equal. Jumping spiders are objectively cute and friendly. 
7. There are no rules to aging. You can care as little or as much as you want to about what’s happening to your body. Use all the skincare. Let your hair go grey and long like a witch!
8. Moderation. In. Everything. 
9. Be the kind of parent that your kids can tell uncomfortable things to. Let them know your love is unconditional and even when you disagree you’ll always support them. 
10. There is no one right way to be an Orthodox Christian. Wait. Yes, there is. Love God and love your neighbor. 
11. People who need alcohol to have a good time probably aren’t your people. 
12. Your own life will be more peaceful if you let people be who they are instead of who you wish they’d be. 
13. Kacey Musgraves was right… “You can’t be everybody’s cup of tea. Why would you wanna be?”
14. Buy the sugary cereals your mom wouldn’t let you eat and tell yourself you’re a grownup now.
15. Learn everything your mom has to teach you before her memory fades. 
16. Your husband isn’t a mind reader. Don’t expect him to be. 
17. Sci-fi shows are amazing and addictive.  
18. Every season can be beautiful, even winter (if it doesn’t overstay its welcome). 
19. Dresses are the key to clothing yourself if you hate coming up with outfits. 
20. Travel is exhausting the older you get. Travel as much as you can when you’re younger. 
21. Try to become bilingual when you’re younger. It’s too hard once your brain is mush. 
22. You don’t have to use a top sheet. 
23. Tell people you love them every time you leave them. Another chance is not promised.
24. Name brand things sometimes do taste/work better than generic. Sorry not sorry. 
25. Admitting when you’re wrong and owning up to not knowing everything is hard but ultimately healing and healthy. 
26. Some of those movies you liked as a kid are actually pretty horrible. Heathers, anyone?
27. Containers and storage bins aren’t the key to decluttering. Decluttering is the key to decluttering. 
28. Small changes may not have the hugest impact on the environment but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.
29. Impulse buys exist because of people like you, Elizabeth Anne Peters Frase. Resist. 
30. Taking meds for your mental health is no different than taking meds for your other issues. 
31. Imposter Syndrome is just your own mind gaslighting you. Don’t believe her. You are capable of so much. 
32. Having a nighttime sleep routine isn’t just for babies. Big babies like you need routine, too. 
33. Don’t waste your time with small coffee mugs. Use the gigantic 1990’s cappuccino mugs, baby. 
34. Treat yo’self. Sometimes. But like, don’t go overboard. 
35. Embarrass your kids whenever possible. They’ll thank you later. 
36. Marriage is a marathon, sometimes long and grueling. Sometimes peaceful and fulfilling but just try not to give up. 
37. Bach is the actual music of heaven. I will fight you on this. Show me more perfect compositions. I’ll wait. 
38. Except for the exorbitant cost of living, California really is the perfect state. Where else can you go that has desert, ocean, mountains and flatlands all in the same place?
39. Heineken is garbage. So is Bud. 
40. You’re not lazy (usually) or stupid. You lack the Executive Functioning Skills that neurotypical people take for granted. 
41. Chronic illness sucks but don’t let it steal your joy. 
42. You cannot have just one cat. 
43. Standing up for what you believe will rarely make you friends but at least you’re not violating your conscience. 
44. Doomscrolling isn’t going to give you the answers you’re looking for, Elizabeth. 
45. Staying hydrated really is as important as they say, not just Big Water trying to sell more water. 
46. Cats might be demigods but dogs are factually angels on earth. 
47. External piety is fine but it’s better to focus on internal spiritual growth. 
48. If you start accelerating into the turn your car will grip the road nicely. Thanks, Dad.
49. There’s so much more to learn.
50. Turning 50 is kind of awesome. Making it this far is impressive.

Please add your own thoughts! I’d like to keep the list going!

Love,

Elizabeth