Let's hear it for the boy (and fam!)...

“That’s the risk you take if you change: that people you’ve been involved with won’t like the new you. But other people who do will come along.”
– Lisa Alther, author

Matt (the boyfriend) and I are not without our rough periods. It took a long time to get to where we are today, and we’re continually working on our relationship. (I think that’s a good thing! Never become too complacent with how things are, or one day, you’ll wake up and realize you don’t know the person standing beside you.) However, I can confidently say that now, I have a wonderful, kind, understanding, committed boyfriend who is always concerned with my happiness.

“I’m starting a happiness project! And a blog!” – me
“That’s awesome, baby, I’m excited for you!” – Matt

“I’m going to start running!” – me
“I’m proud of you!” - Matt

“I’m becoming a vegetarian!” – me
“Uhh…I can still eat meat, right?” – Matt (well, I didn't say he was perfect)
“Sure! This is my choice.” – me
“That’s great baby, I’m proud of you!” – Matt

See? Other than some light teasing every once in a while about the vegetarian thing, every crazy proclamation I have thrown at him the last few weeks has resulted in him being supportive, excited for me, and eager to help. Which brings me to the quote I posted: sometimes, the fear of how people will respond to your “big change” is scarier than the change itself. It is difficult to tell someone else that you dislike something about yourself, point out your flaws, and then announce that you are going to try and change them. First off, flaws feed our insecurities. Why put those insecurities out there for someone else to focus on? Secondly, you’re announcing that you’re going to change them. What if you fail? Then everyone knows.

I was terrified of announcing to Matt that I was starting something that sounds as silly as “a happiness project,” much less putting it on the internet for people to see. I was nervous about telling my family. I am a pretty independent person. I keep my stuff to myself most of the time. So to tell everyone that I want to make all these changes, put it on the internet, and involve them too, well…it’s a little nerve-wracking. You’d be surprised though at how much the people who love you will support you. Matt has been easy-going about purchasing his own meat and waiting a little longer at meals so I can fix my own “fake” meat or meat-less version of what I'm fixing for him. When I mentioned my blog to my family, my mom and dad immediately sat down to read it. Both of them, plus my younger sister, have started following me on their Google Readers. (Hi guys!)

Change is scary. The ones you love and who love you embracing your change and cheering you on makes it a lot less scary. Thank you guys.