The way I see it, women have too many things to think about as it is. We shouldn't have to add unnecessary--and likely nonexistent issues to that extensive list. Almost every night, I lay in bed obsessing over insignificant things like what my spouse meant when he said we should start working out again, or why one of my friends always rolls the window down when she gets into my car, or why no one told me I had a poppy seed from my breakfast bagel stuck in my teeth. Here are some questions I aim to busy myself with instead:
1. What's really inside of a black hole?
I'm no Stephen Hawking by any means, but why can't it be normal for girls to be intrigued by theories of black holes in a galaxy far, far away?
2. How many countries can I visit before I die?
Ideally, I'd love to travel to at least one foreign country by myself before I die. After taking self-defense classes and reading all I can about how to safely travel alone as a woman, of course.
3. Am I going to be a good mom?
I used to think I didn't want to end up like my mother. Then I realized I was focusing on everything she had done wrong rather than being grateful for all of the things she did right. One day, I hope my kids will be able to say “My mom is crazy, but God, love that woman."
4. Where do I want to be in five years?
It's such a cliché, I know. However, it's an imperative, often underappreciated question. Typically, I struggle with trying to seize the day while planning for the future. I'm fully aware that plans don't always work out, but it can't hurt to have an idea of the general direction I'd like to go in.
5. What can I do for others that will make me appreciate my life more?
Sometimes you have to do something for someone else to understand who you are. Self-awareness is a beautiful thing.
Next time you catch yourself obsessing over what you said last night after you ingested five shots of tequila, try pondering these questions instead. The answers might surprise you. It's time to start spending some quality time with our brains.
