Thursday Thirteen #935

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone is having a fine holiday. I could do a "what I'm thankful for" post but I opted instead for a more introspective post today. So here are thirteen things I’ve learned about myself.

1. I am quite self-aware. Usually, I notice my reactions before I act (but not always, of course). Sometimes that saves me from saying things I’ll regret, and sometimes it delays the regret until I’m alone with a piece of chocolate.

2. I think deeply about the world, even when it’s exhausting. I spend hours pondering patterns, history, and human behavior. It’s tiring, yes, but it also means I notice the things people miss.

3. I carry my experiences with clarity and honesty. I face both the good and the bad parts of life without pretending they didn’t happen. No rewrites. No glossing over. Just the truth, messy as it is.

4. I show up for people, even when it’s inconvenient. I maintain connections and offer kindness long after others have moved on. Some days it’s exhausting, some days it’s rewarding. Sometimes it's both.

5. I have a strong sense of responsibility, sometimes too strong for my own good. I manage tasks, projects, and commitments, sometimes taking on more than I should. I’m learning to notice when it’s time to stop (or at least take a deep breath).

6. I still try to do the right thing, even when no one is watching. Maybe one day, some silent angel will give me a gold star for integrity. Mostly, though, I do it for the quiet satisfaction of knowing I did.

7. I’m more resilient than I give myself credit for. Setbacks, long days, or exhausting challenges don’t keep me down. Somehow, I eventually find a way forward, even if I grumble.

8. I balance intelligence with practical, lived experience. I think things through, plan carefully, and then figure out how to make them work in real life. There’s satisfaction in getting it right on the first try . . . . or in learning fast when I don’t.

9. I notice the details that make life vivid. Light on a field, the smell of fresh earth, small movements in the world around me - these are things I pay attention to and try to remember. They are small joys.

10. I’m loyal to a fault. I hold onto relationships and commitments, even when it’s inconvenient or difficult. Exhausting? Yes. Worth it? Usually.

11. I look for meaning rather than distraction. I try to understand why things happen, rather than just filling my time. Sometimes I fail spectacularly, but at least I’m thinking about it.

12. I don’t shy away from hard truths, even about myself. I face my limitations, mistakes, and emotional reactions head-on. It’s uncomfortable but avoiding it feels worse.

13. I value steady relationships and do the work to maintain them. I invest time and care into the connections that matter. It’s not always easy, and yes, sometimes I slip up, and sometimes I sigh, but it’s worth it.

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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 935th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.