True Dad Confessions: On the outside, I'm happy. But on the inside, I'm scared shitless.
I'm about to turn 42 years old in just over a month. I'm in a really good place right now, but I'm also pretty scared, if we're being honest.
Something inside is warning me to prepare myself. Things are going my way, but experience tells me, that won't last forever.
This post is written to dig into those feelings more. What is causing me to worry for no apparent reason? Is this all in my head or am I right to have my guard up?
I lost my mom to cancer at a young age.
Self-diagnosing here just a bit, but I think this may be one of the main reasons for my anxiety.
I was 15 years old when my mom passed away. An age that's arguably one of the most difficult times for many. I was going through so much change.
And then this.
I used to wear her passing like a badge. "Yeah, I'm flawed. I lost my mom when I was 15." That's probably why. My flaws are not my own; there's an external reason for them.
I have a different perspective now that I've surpassed the age at which she died. Now I feel my own mortality more than ever. I've lived longer than my mom did. That really scares the crap out of me.
I have a son now that is the age I was when my mom passed. I can't imagine him only having one parent. I can't imagine him having to go through that.
I'm happily married and in love.
JenB and I have been together almost 9 years now. I think we're a great fit for each other, despite being very different in a lot of ways.
I think we complement each other well. I've never been happier in a relationship than I am today.
And that scares the absolute $*&! out of me.
I've been divorced before as well, and I know what it's like to have the feeling that two people fit together and that it was "meant to be".
Relationships take effort, though. You can't just coast through life in a relationship thinking it's always going to be this way. You have to work at it. I think about that every day.
I'm a role model to two boys.
Parents are one of (if not THE) biggest influences on a child's life. I have two boys that look to me for guidance.
And that scares the crap out of me.
Wasn't it just yesterday that I was a kid myself? How did this happen that I'm a parent twice over with one child in high school?
It's a little intimidating knowing that my behavior influences and shapes their behavior, and even their personality!
Yeah, that's kind of a lot to take in. Give me just a minute.
- HealthofChildren.com
I love my job, team and company.
I've always been a pretty career-focused and professionally motivated person. I've been in my professional career now for almost 20 years.
I've made a few mistakes along the way and had a few setbacks, but overall I've been very fortunate for the opportunities I've been given and I've earned.
I'm in a place right now where I feel challenged, supported, fulfilled and proud, and I really can't wait to see what's next.
I don't think I'm a worrier by nature. I don't sit around and dwell on these things. But there is something in the back of my mind that is trying to guard against losing what I've got right now.
There's something in my mind that has me on high alert. But a heightened sense of alert can't be maintained. I will burn out. I have to relax, eventually.
Have you ever felt this way? Have you ever been cruising along in life when it struck you?
Not only have I learned to realize both the good and bad times come and go, but I've also learned to appreciate more of the moment. I have to live more in the "now". If I don't - if I dwell too much on the "what if", it may just turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy, and oh the irony of those.
Not on my watch.
My Mom’s mother died at a young age as well, while she was a teenager, and she went through some similar issues at your age in that regard. So from that perspective your fears sound normal. Also, you’ve been doing it a lot longer than me so you know better than I do, but being responsible for making children into good adults is scary shit. But based on the stories I hear from you, they both seem like they’re very well off.
Raising a teenager takes the “scary shit” to a whole new level – one that I didn’t appreciate until I was here. Thanks for your comment, Ben.
Some of the stories sound very familiar. Losing the mother at that age is determining pretty much everything as also have experienced…
I’ve always wondered that, Robert. But I’ve wondered how much that was “destined” to shape who I am and how much I still had control over. Fear of loss is definitely a thing for me and I think it comes (at least in part) from losing a parent at a pretty young age.
One thing I’ve learned in my 20+ years of marriage and 15+ years of being a parent is that I pretty much know nothing. I used to think I always had the answers. I thought I was in control. I have realized though that being in control (or trying to be) of everything around me, of all life sends my way, made things so much less enjoyable. I feared and worried about losing those THINGS.
I finally relaxed and paid attention to the only thing that really mattered, which is family. I slowed down and focused on what was right in front of me and started to let go of the THINGS I used to think were important. The more I let go, the less I worried. If I lost it all, my home, my job, my whatever, and still had my family, I’ve lost nothing.
It’s all perspective to me. My good place comes from those around me. Don’t worry about the other stuff. Those are just THINGS. Just take in every moment you can with your loved ones because in the end, they are all that matters.
“Don’t worry, be happy!”
Wise beyond your years. Or maybe not since we’re old now. Every comment you leave reminds me of why we have been friends so long. Thanks, Shayne.