Only Great Things Happen to Me: Embracing the Power of Positivity
Welcome to my Substack, "Only Great Things Happen to Me," a title that sounds suspiciously like something you'd find on a motivational poster in a dentist's office. If you're anything like me, the mere mention of self-help might trigger an eye roll so profound it could be mistaken for a seizure. Yet, here I am, a reformed skeptic, preaching the gospel of positivity. I imagine my previous self, seated comfortably in cynicism, would find this turn of events both baffling and mildly entertaining.
It all began with a co-worker, the type who radiates optimism like a solar panel on a cloudless day. Her mantra was simple: "My name is [Blank], and only good things happen to me." Initially, I dismissed it as one of those annoyingly cheerful affirmations people mutter to themselves while waiting for their organic chai latte. But then, curiosity—or perhaps desperation—got the better of me. I tried it out, and to my surprise, the phrase had a peculiar effect. It was like a verbal placebo, tricking my mind into a state of unwarranted cheerfulness.
For years, I had been my own worst critic. My inner dialogue was a relentless loop of self-deprecating commentary: "I'm fat, I'm poor, I'll never amount to anything." These thoughts, always eager to remind me of my inadequacies, were as familiar as an old pair of sneakers—comfortable, but likely to trip me up. Yet, despite this mental cacophony, I had a job that didn't make me want to gouge my eyes out, a husband who hadn't yet run for the hills, and the courage to uproot my life from the east coast to the west in pursuit of some elusive notion of happiness.
In January, I embarked on a new adventure: Ozempic. This wonder drug promised to assist in weight loss, but it came with the realization that true healing was an inside job. It's akin to buying a treadmill and expecting it to do the running for you. This blog is my attempt to chronicle the messy, often humorous journey toward self-love and positivity. By sharing my experiences, I hope to offer a smidgen of inspiration—or at the very least, a few laughs—as we navigate this path together, striving to become the best versions of ourselves, or at least slightly improved ones.