#304. inside jokes, orange theory & starting therapy

Age: 27

Relationship Status: In a serious relationship

Occupation: Assistant Controller

Income: 75k + Bonus

Astrological Sign: Libra

How are you, really?

I’m better than I used to be. I can’t ask for much more than that.

What is the greatest change you’ve made this year? 

I finally started therapy after wanting to for years.

What is something you hope never changes?

I hope my mom never has cancer again.

When do you feel most capable?

I feel most capable when I finally start to see progress and growth in something I’m passionate about and have been working on.

How do you nurture yourself?

Orange Theory classes 4-5 times a week. Minimum. Non-negotiable. I love taking this time for me. I think everyone should find a form of working out that they love and stick to it. No matter what people on TikTok are saying about high cortisol or blah blah blah blah…

How do you nurture others?

I try to create a safe space for people to express themselves without judgment. In most cases, I believe that no one has the right to judge another.

Is there anything you wish you had said but didn’t?

Yes, I constantly regret oversharing at work. It’s in my nature to be friendly and outgoing, but I wish it weren’t so hard for me to keep certain things to myself.

What is something that turns you on?

The level of comfort I have with my boyfriend and how he accepts all of my flaws. I’ve never been able to fully be myself around anyone in my entire life until him.

What is something that turns you off?

Men who expect women to work full-time, bear children, and split the bills 50/50. That might work for some people, but it’s not for me!

When was the last time you walked away from something that no longer served you?

Just last week.

How often do you feel you achieve balance?

I feel that… I don’t. I am quite the workaholic, but I have been working on it. 

What is one risk you took that resulted in reward?

I quit the steady job I was offered post-grad almost immediately and chose to work for a young entrepreneur I really believed in instead. I didn’t even have a definitive “position” when I first started with the company, but I believed (and still believe) in him and his vision. It has paid dividends.

When do you feel most overwhelmed?

Month’s end. The accounting girlies get it.

How do you move forward?

I’ve been working on this in therapy and have found that acceptance is the first step for most things in life, including moving forward.

What is something that will always make you laugh? 

Inside jokes from my high school lunch table. We still share them in the group chat from time to time.

What is something that will always make you cry?

My uncle passed away too soon. Like, way too soon. I can’t think of him without shedding a tear, no matter where I am or how hard I try to control it. I’m not sure I will ever be able to control it.

Have you ever been betrayed?

Oh yes. It taught me valuable lessons about boundaries and choosing who to trust.                                               

What is your greatest temptation?

Self-sabotage and impulsive behaviors have always been significant issues for me. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD, which has helped me understand my cravings for chaos and the reasons behind some of my life decisions.

What is one thing you feel is missing from your current life? 

A close-knit circle of friends. While I’m part of several “friend groups,” it’s not the same as having one group of girls to do everything with. I often find myself envious of the women on Instagram who take trips to Europe with their six friends and spouses, sharing in each other’s weddings. I feel like my relationships with many of my friends aren’t that deep, and I have one best friend in a different group who connects me to that circle, if that makes sense.

What is one thing you can’t get enough of?

Inner peace. 

BONUS: Tell me something good.

I finish my MBA in May!