Loud-Soft Sonances

I'm actually very excited about it. I didn't have a lot of the existential angst some people seem to get when they reach 40.

But it definitely made me introspective. In my 30s, I -

Moved 7 times - including 2 multi-state moves. The last apartment I live in, I finally got my own apartment to myself for the first time

Got divorced from my narcissistic, abusive, libertarian-ish ex-husband

Was homeless for a while. Slept in my car and couch surfed for a bit. But I made a paycheck and had money so it was oddly freeing.

Got my dream job in the field I went to school for

Was published a few times

Got remarried to a pro-Palestine, socialist progressive Jewish accountant (I'm way better off)

Bought a house

My last living grandparent passed away

Finally got the experience of performing a violin solo accompanied by a string orchestra (I played the Hobbit theme)

Learned a new instrument (Norwegian Hardanger). Play the violin in a regular basis.

Lived through a global pandemic

Rekindled a lot of friendships I had lost while being married to my ex-husband

Learned to watercolor, paint, embroider, and a variety ofother crafts. I can also make professional-looking succulent terrariums.

Served as a catering assistant for a 80 person wedding. Learned to cook.

But overall - I just learned to be kinder to myself. There were a lot of ups and downs. But I went from someone who had a lot of trouble speaking up for themselves to someone who people don't want to mess with. I got called a queen by a college student (I work at a college) so now I can retire in the future and feel accomplished lol.

I feel very comfortable with myself and I consider that a win.