Straight Up and Dirty

I just recently finished the book Straight Up and Dirty, a memoir by Stephanie Klein that details her life (getting married at a young age to a man whose family doesn't approve of her, getting divorced young, and finding herself again). At the end of the book she has learned to define herself outside of being in a relationship. I really began to relate to this book, a young, successful woman living in Manhattan, struggling with dating and getting her life back on track. Granted I've never been divorced, but I definitely know how challenging it can be to date in Manhattan!

By the last page in the book I knew I was meant to read this book. It has been inspiring and insightful and it's motivated me to find myself too; to stop worrying about finding a satisfying relationship unless that relationship is with myself. I need to continue to find things that make me happy, that I like to do, and once I am fulfilled with my own life, then I can worry about finding someone else.

I think that lately I've been doing a good job with this. I'm less concerned about having a boyfriend, and settling down. I'm still young, I have PLENTY of time. I'm just excited to keep trying new things and loving life in NYC. After all, I'm only going to have this opportunity once, and I'm finally ready to embrace it and start having fun as a young, good looking single girl in Manhattan!

And with that, I leave you with a selection from the last page of the book Straight Up and Dirty:

But now, I realized it's about abandoning your stupid wristwatch and giving your compass a flick to make sure the needle still moves...having the courage to follow in the direction to which is points. I opened my journal to a blank page. I still do want that: the husband, babies, and house int he suburbs, but I'm no longer envious because I know I can have it, all of it. Success isn't about crossing things off life's to-do list. It's having the grace and fortitude to move through change, and smiling.... The plan should be learning how to live without one, or how to carry a big fat eraser in your petite handbag. It's comfortable to have plans, but you've got to be loose enough to accept change. Plans get revised, new blueprints get drafted to accommodate the expansive garden. And nowadays, I'm planting my own, even if it is in crapass Central Park. I'm digging my feet into the warm soil, retaining and nourishing everything I've got left - and that's a lot.

~Stephanie Klein

I'm ready to forget my plans, to go with the flow and accept that I will have all the things I want in life, when I'm meant to have them. For now, I'm going to enjoy the ride and see what happens.