Just life....

Who Does She Think She Is?

April 30, 2020 /

The bizarre times we live in, what with COVID-19 and all, have put so many of the fluffier things in our lives on hold. It’s grabbed us by the ankles, put us under house arrest, and forced us to have Serious Thoughts. Look deep inside our souls. One of my favorite bloggers today compared living with the pandemic to the Kubler-Ross’s stages of grief.

I had planned to write posts about outfits, wonderful places I had been or was going to, cooking classes I’d teach, and lots of wonderful things I hope to still write about, but not this week.

I’d been thinking about writing a blog for a while, and when I was finally ready to “pull the trigger”, I was paralyzed with fear. Why? Because I was afraid all the people who would read it (especially family and close friends) would say Who Does She Think She Is? Oprah – publishing a magazine with herself on the cover every month? She’s NOT a fashion model – she’s short, she’s too curvy, and now she’s got wrinkles! She’s not a great writer – she made a grammatical error, or a typo, or that wasn’t the way it really happened…Why would we want to read this stuff?

I’ve really prided myself on caring less and less that other people think as I get older, but as I stood on the precipice of this new venture, all the old insecurities that have their roots in childhood and adolescence (the wheel on which we are all broken) reared their ugly heads. Yes, I know that’s 3 metaphors in one sentence.

I emailed a lot of people I respect and asked them to take a look at posts so far and give me feedback. And then held my breath, waiting for some Who Do You Think You Are?

My Thanksgiving table. If you’re thinking my tablecloth needs ironing, you’re right. And here it is anyway.

What I’ve received so far is wholehearted support, even from those who I was sure would guffaw, or at least snicker. And maybe they did behind closed doors (see – here I go again!), but they showed me nothing but delight, and gave me their wholehearted support.

My mother’s apple cake recipe. Whenever I need to be brave, I think of her.

I’ve connected with wonderful people I haven’t talked to in years, cheerleaders from the distant past who are brimming with knowledge and hard-earned wisdom. I’m learning photo-editing and WordPress, and apps that go with Instagram and how to make my laptop work ’til its little tongue hangs out.

Learning that lighting is everything in taking photos.

My point is that we ALL need to just GET OVER Who Does She Think She Is? For our parents’ generation, it was What Will The Neighbors Think? It’s crippling, soul-sucking, and we’re all old enough to know better.

For you, it may be wearing a RED dress, or learning ballroom dancing, even if your spouse won’t go with you. Or juggling, or playing the banjo, or starting that novel, or finally telling that gossip that you just don’t want to hear it anymore. Life is short, and if you don’t get that during this time, you never will. Yes, we’ll gather and travel again, but maybe not in time to do it with the ones we love, as none of us is guaranteed tomorrow.

Who Does She Think She Is? The one who finally started her blog, who’s wearing leopard print shoes with rhinestone buckles, who’s living the one life she’s been given. You probably have at least one of those in your life – support them, swallow your snarky comments if tempted, and go do That Thing that you’ve been thinking about for years. I wish you success and joy.

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16 Comments

    • mkmiller

      April 30, 2020 at 2:06 pm Reply

      Amen, Eugenia! I think we need positivity with ample helpings of kindness, acceptance and goodwill – to others AND to ourselves. Thanks for reading.

  • Tatiana Bellator

    April 30, 2020 at 9:55 pm Reply

    So glad you decided to overcome your fears and write this blog. It’s so inspiring!! I think you’re a wonderful, vibrant, beautiful woman, inside and out. I’m pretty sure way more people than you think (including myself) are eager to hear what you have to say. Sending all my love your way.

  • mkmiller

    May 4, 2020 at 1:41 pm Reply

    Thanks very much, Mireille! I have read your blog often, and it’s full of so much helpful information. I have learned SO much from blogs!

  • Arabella

    May 6, 2020 at 12:46 pm Reply

    I’m glad you threw your hat in the ring! I found you via “High heels in the Wilderness” thanks for sharing your blog. It is nice to have great diversions from our current state of affairs. Looking forward to reading more.

  • Stefanie

    May 11, 2020 at 8:40 pm Reply

    The sassy, smart, fun, well traveled, compassionate, and WISE Mary Katherine is on display for all to see….and enjoy!! I’ve been blessed to know this amazing woman for many years. Our friendship spans two continents, divorce, and death and always, Mary Katherine was a bright, smiling, encouraging, WISE source of guidance and support. Have I mentioned she is wise? She looks at issues and conflicts to find understanding and common ground. She is an encourager extraordinaire!! Her calm demeanor and open heart will soothe any stress or problem. I know who she is!!! She is everything you want in a girlfriend….or blogger! A hostess with creative, thoughtful touches when you visit, I am grabbing pen and paper to jot down her pearls of wisdom! Her personality is jumping out from her photos and I am excited to be inspired by her as always! To say that I am proud of you, is putting it mildly! You are a treasure and I am glad you opened your door for us to share in your adventures, tricks, and ideas for embracing life!!!

    • mkmiller

      May 12, 2020 at 2:47 pm Reply

      Shucks, I’m blushing, girl! And you are immediately HIRED as my press agent. I’m looking forward to our friendship spanning many more decades and adventures. Thanks for your very kind words.

  • Vivian Richmond Ross

    May 13, 2020 at 7:13 pm Reply

    YES YES YES! What an inspirational read! Thank you Aunt MK, you’re a wonder and I’m so proud of you. xxx

  • Janis @ RetirementallyChallenged

    June 6, 2020 at 5:29 pm Reply

    Hopped over here from a comment you left on Sue Burpee’s site. Anyway, I just wanted to say how much I love this post! I often suffer from the “who does she think she is” syndrome, which you’d think I’d be over at my age. You have new follower.

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