Those Things...

I'm trying to slip back into blogging mode after JordanCon. I'm not going to lie, everything posted since that trip—with the exception of the Con recap—was scheduled way ahead of time because I knew this would happen.

It's part exhaustion, part mentally remaining in a moment that's passed, and all Con Depression.

(But it's oh so good!)

It got me thinking, though, that every year in the aftermath of JordanCon weekend, within the flurry of photos posted to Facebook and Flickr, amidst the oohs and aahs of costume pics, souvenirs, and anecdotal brushes with author and artist celebrity, there's always someone saying they wished they'd attended, too...

Hey, that person used to be me. Three years ago was my first JordanCon, and I knew immediately it wouldn't be my last.

So here's our lesson from Pinterest:

 

Is it a trip? An art class? Bungee-jumping? An afternoon of pampering yourself that never seems to happen?

Do it.

Fuck everyone else, and do what you want to do. 

Because guess what? It's cliché but true: life is short.

If you're dying to step out of yourself for a day, do it. 

Because one day you'll reach a point where for whatever reason you truly can't, and you'll regret that you didn't take the chance when it was available.

And that's the thing: you need to make the chance available. 

I save my pennies all year to make the trek to Atlanta without tossing it on credit card, and damn, is it worth it. JordanCon has enriched my life. I have made amazing friends, discovered unknown ability, and simply stepped out of the everyday routine—something that is oh so important to my psyche.

Yes, stepping out of the everyday and satisfying your seems-unreachable-goals is good for mental health.

Recently I had a messaged conversation with an old friend via Facebook (hi, James!), and he said something that rang deeply with me... he considers "dull" to be one of the worst-offending sins out there.

It didn't take a lot of thought before I agreed.

When we're kids we (generally) all want to be older so we can have the freedom to do whatever we want. So if that's the case, why are we living for work? Why are we slaves to money?

There's so much to do in life, how can you fall into the eat-sleep-work routine? Go out and LIVE!

And do things for yourself, because you've always wanted to do them, not because it's "cool" to do those things...

Sure, my thing is JordanCon (and costuming, and let's face it: all things Wheel of Time), but yours doesn't have to be.

You may have heard this before (and my cheeseball alarm is blaring in my head), but...

Follow. Your. Dreams.

I'd bet there's something you're itching to do. Do it. Push yourself out of your comfort zone and be surprised at your courage. 

I bet you'll learn a bit about yourself, build remarkable memories and meet incredible people, and live those dull everyday moments a bit happier for it.

So try it. You'll thank yourself later.