“I’m IN”

That became my mantra in Italy.

Every time the tour director would describe what we were about to do, my response was,

“I’m in.”

When someone asked if I was interested in hiking up the 463 steps to see the view from the top of the ancient tower I said,

“I’m in.”

Would you like to try some of this wine?

“I’m in.”

Taste this authentic recipe?

“I’m in.”

Take a walk to see…..?

“I’m in.”

I just had this insatiable desire to experience EVERYTHING.

And I did.

Without fear, guilt, self-consciousness, or feelings of unworthiness.

And it changed me.

I now have a new found motivation to…. DO.

I mean, I always have, but now even MORE so. It’s like I got a glimpse of what life is really all about and now all I want to do is… live.

I can’t wait to see things, do things, and experience things.

Of course it’s not as easy as just saying,

“I’m in.”

Sometimes you have to spend money. Sometimes it’s time. Sometimes something or someone is in your way. Sometimes that someone is you.

I’m pretty sure I was in my own way for years, and I think my past struggle with weight and body image was a product of that.

Now my willingness and desire to experience is drowning out most of my inner mean girl. She’s still in there trying her hardest to keep me at home, on my couch with a pint of Ben and Jerry’s obsessing over some stupid bad photo or worrying how ridiculous I looked when I stumbled in step class. She’d rather me not try or experience because every time I do her voice gets just a little harder to hear. As my confidence grows she’s reduced to a mere whisper instead of a deafening scream, and one day she will exist no more.

Click here to see SIMPLY ITALY: PHOTOS FROM ROMA
Click here to see SIMPLY ITALY: PHOTOS FROM VENICE
Click here to see SIMPLY ITALY: PHOTOS FROM FLORENCE