The past Tuesday, a woman I have met a few times and connect with over a common love for Korean shows and music messaged me to commiserate on not being unable to go to a Seventeen concert because we had not thought it possible. One thing led to another and by mid-afternoon I had overpriced nosebleed tickets to the show on Sunday in New York City. The week has been about soaking in the joys of acting on impulse, figuring out how to make it a fun getaway for two moms of teen children.
Amid the joy that comes from caving in to something that costs a lot, brings happiness to no one but me and, inconveniences everyone in the house, is a small side of guilt and second guessing if what I did was okay. It didn’t help that my peers seemed to find joy in more acceptable things like books and crafts. It kept coming up in conversation with friends and family and it had me thinking.
What does joy look like on a adult woman?
Are there acceptable forms of joy?
When is the last time someone like me acted on impulse and did something that brought them happiness?
So, I posed the question to the world at large and the answers came pouring in. One friend I had not heard from in a long time shared matching pictures of her and her daughter in red tinted hair. This was in Chennai. Another friend sent me pictures of her and her bestie hanging out on a girls only trip. Yet another said she was learning Bharatanatyam, something she wanted to do as a child but was doing now because it brought her joy. Another is learning French, just because!
Flowers, nails, massages, food, cover bands in local bars, solo trips, walking…
The replies are still coming in. It makes me happy to see so many of my peers indulging in themselves, setting aside time, money and joy in whatever little pockets they can find to do the things they want. Most importantly, it makes me feel that all is not lost, yet.
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