Daring to Live

The list of "don'ts" for people with restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a mile long, and for good reason, too. I've lost count of the times I've just broken down and sobbed — in restaurant bathrooms, at the movie theatre, in an airplane, parked by the roadside. Gosh, the list could go on forever.

However, this year I was very determined to LIVE! I was done letting restless legs syndrome determine what I did and how I did it. The year is almost over, and I can look back and pat myself on the back!

Going to the movies more often

Firstly, I had decided to see movies more often, as I really like going to the cinema but my RLS makes it so difficult.

I developed my own hack. I found a cinema that opens by 11 AM and started going in the middle of the afternoon on my days off. Fun fact: people, for some reason, are almost never at the movies on Thursday afternoons. So it's my perfect movie time; I go alone and just walk around when my legs start to act up.

It's generally empty, so no shame, and the few times there were others, the place was still empty enough for me to walk around without really garnering any unwanted attention or causing any disruptions.

Trying public speaking

Secondly, I decided to step out of my cocoon and actually try my hand at public speaking! I've always feared that the audience would wonder why I paced so much but turns out public speaking is perfect for someone with RLS. As long as you have something important to say, and you say it eloquently with a sprinkle of dry humor, people are more interested in listening than counting the number of times you pace back and forth.

Doing more traveling

Thirdly, I've always wanted to travel! Most of my social media "for you" pages are filled with travel hacks and content. I have lived vicariously through others for the longest time, so I decided to give travel a whirl; not just for me, but for my kids as well.

While flights are still a terror, I have found that road trips work much better for me. We stop whenever I need to move around, cut our trips into parts, and just make the journey a part of the destination.

Wearing what I want

Fourthly, I don't know that this is directly related to RLS, but I'm going to add it anyway: I wear what I want.

I have always been so body-conscious, especially when it comes to my arms, stomach, and legs! This year, one of my goals was to wear crop tops and shorts (not necessarily together, lol) and I am super stoked to let you know that not only did I do all that, but the amount of compliments I got was insane and was such a boost to my self-confidence.

I go after the opportunities I want

Lastly, I go for jobs and gigs that I want. I've always shied away from "high-stakes" jobs because having RLS made me develop imposter syndrome. I felt I wasn't that good at the things I was actually good at.

This year PROVED ME WRONG. Not only did I go after the gigs and jobs that I wanted, I got most of them and knocked them out of the park.

Putting yourself out there in the new year

I know restless legs syndrome can be daunting, but I have found that "mind over matter" is a real thing, and I hope I have inspired you to make some changes and put yourself out there as we approach yet another year.

Like the popular saying goes, "What if it doesn't work out? Ah! But what if it does?"

XOXO, Merry Christmas.