My Jerry Maguire Moment

My name is Jen and welcome to Urban Yenta.  I can remember the moment the idea for this blog was conceived.  It was December 4th, 2017.  It was 2:15am and I woke up in a sweat having some sort of Jerry Maguire moment.

 

Was it a premature midlife crisis?  Early menopause?  The spicy burrito? I don’t know.  What I do know is I started writing down my feelings.  And then, I deleted it.  Because who wants to read about that?

But then I started to do some self-examination.  The truth is, I’ve always been creative.  But there have been destructive patterns in my creative behaviours and endeavors.  It would go something like this:

1. I would get very excited, very quickly about dreams/plans/ideas and then have absolutely no follow through
2. I would talk about my plans with people and have them take a nice steamy hot dump on those plans which would lead to…
3. talking myself out of these plans and making excuses for not going ahead

And yet, here we are.  What has changed?  Why now?  Well a few things.  It started when I was pregnant with my son, Ethan.  After being diagnosed with gestational diabetes in my final trimester, I made a promise to him and to myself that I would do better and be better.  In order to be the best mom possible, I knew I needed to take better care of myself, inside and out.  Shortly after his birth, I joined Weight Watchers and started going to the gym.  While I’ve lost 42 lbs, I’ve gained so much more.  I’ve learned how to live more fully and fearlessly. In the short time that he has been on this planet, Ethan has taught me so much and inspires me every day with his smile and infectious laugh.

I mean look at that face!

So what does losing this have to do with blogging?

Well, while on my journey with Weight Watchers, I was sharing (well, oversharing) my journey on social media.  I felt if I were open and transparent with others, it would keep me honest and accountable for my decisions. I was sharing my weight, the food I was eating, products I discovered and overcoming setbacks.  Soon, friends, family and complete strangers were messaging me to tell me how I have inspired them to make positive changes in their lives.  I was slowly discovering my purpose.  My inner Yenta* superpower was finally being helpful to others.

And so, here we are.  On the cusp of a new year, I’m coming off a maternity leave trying to take all the lessons I’ve learned in 2017 and writing the next chapters.  I have a lot of dreams, plans, and ideas but instead of talking about them, you will see them here.  I’m trying to stay focused and not get ahead of myself. but this space will be a place to discuss the people, places and things that I’m most passionate about.  And whatever the topic, you can pretty much guarantee that I’ll find a way to tie it to my ultimate love:  connecting with people.  You!  Please join in the conversation and follow me on this new journey.  There are many chapters, more stories that have yet to be written.  New beginnings are scary but take my hand and let’s take the leap together.

xoxo,

Jen

CURRENT SOUNDTRACK IN MY MIND:

Celine Dion “Taking Chances”

Idina Menzel “Defying Gravity”