The title sounds all too poetic for the reality of the past few years, but I thought it’ll be a good eye catcher.

Life, my friends, is like a roller-coaster full of choices and opportunities, and let’s be real, it’s a wild ride. Sometimes, we stumble upon opportunities and go all out, like trying to grab that last piece of pizza at a party. But then, there are those times when we cling to something, thinking it’s the bee’s knees, only to discover it’s more like the mosquito’s itch. This happened to me, and I’m sure other can relate.

But here’s the juicy part: When we finally say, “Adios, mediocrity!” or in my case, whether by choice or a friendly kick in the butt, we’re in for an adventure. It’s like being handed a treasure map to a chest of unexpected goodies (perhaps one of the lost Spanish ships?). Suddenly, you’re on a quest, like Indiana Jones in your own backyard, discovering things you didn’t even know were there, waiting for you, things about you, things about your skills and abilities you didn’t know about.

For the past few months, I’ve been delving into the empowering journey of letting go, of the good old adage of “give no fucks,” but at the same time raising my expectations and realizing one’s true worth. Here is what I have to say.

The Comfort of Familiarity

It’s not uncommon to find comfort in the familiar, even if it doesn’t fully satisfy our desires or ambitions. It did it for almost 5 years, and only learned that, no matter what, I was never going to be appreciated or respected, personally or professionally. Many of us just get used to familiar situations because it becomes the norm. Fear of change and uncertainty can hold us captive in instances that no longer serve us, that are not fitting to what really makes us happy, making us forget our true potential. Whether it’s a stagnant job, a toxic relationship, or an unfulfilling routine, stepping outside of our comfort zone can seem like a daunting endeavor, but I promise it will be immensely rewarding. By recognizing that we deserve better, we open ourselves to a world of possibilities and take that first step towards breaking that comfort zone that, deep inside, doesn’t make us happy.

Acknowledging Lowered Expectations

Acknowledging your “lowered expectations” is like stumbling into a fun water-slide of self-discovery. You see, we spend way too much time stressing over keeping up with the Joneses, who probably don’t even remember our last names. But, guess what? Once we release the grip on those ridiculous standards, we unveil the absolute beauty our true self-worth. It’s like finding out that you’re a unicorn in a world full of donkeys. So, let’s all raise a glass to the grand spectacle of accepting that maybe, just maybe, we’re actually fantastic the way we are, sarcasm and all!

When we settle for less, we unconsciously agree to fit into the confines of our current situation. This can lead to a decline in self-esteem, ambition, and enthusiasm for life, and can really drain the life out of you. Over time, we might forget how much we are truly worth and fall into a cycle of complacency., never pursuing what we really love and who we really are. Realizing that we have lowered our own expectations is the first step towards breaking free from this pattern. DO IT!!!

The Courage to Let Go

You know, I used to clutch onto things tighter than a toddler with a favorite teddy bear. But when I finally let go, it was like winning a prize at a carnival game, minus the cotton candy-induced sugar rush. We’re all guilty of stacking our self-worth next to that Jenga tower of expectations. But once we realize that we’re more valuable than the last piece of that teetering tower, it’s like discovering your own superhero cape in the laundry – you were extraordinary all along, you just needed a good spin cycle to remind you. So, here’s to letting go and embracing our inner stand-up comedian on this crazy journey of self-worth rediscovery!

Letting go of what we once deemed “good” requires immense courage. It means facing uncertainty and taking a leap of faith into the unknown. Whether it’s ending a long-term relationship that no longer brings joy or leaving a comfortable job to pursue a passion, it takes inner strength to trust that something better awaits us on the other side.

The Freedom of Self-Discovery

The newfound freedom of self-discovery, continuing on my comedy show – minus the drama and scripted cat fights, thankfully! So, I used to cling to all these expectations like they were the last piece of cake at a party. But when I finally decided to let go, it was like tossing that half-eaten bag of kale chips in the trash and diving headfirst into a mountain of cheeseburgers. We’ve all been conditioned to believe we need to fit into these narrow boxes of acceptability. But guess what? Once you break out of that cardboard cutout of conformity, you discover you’re like a unicorn at a horse race – a rare and fabulous beast in a world of predictability. So, here’s to self-discovery, where we embrace our quirks and idiosyncrasies like the glorious misfits we truly are!

Once we summon the bravery to let go, a world of self-discovery opens up. We begin to see our true potential, talents, and strengths. For me, it was the realization that no matter what, I will always be drawn toward helping people, will always want to use my skills to help others. There is really no way around it. Rediscovering ourselves and what we truly want from life can be both liberating and empowering. As we explore new opportunities, we might stumble upon passions we had long forgotten or aspects of ourselves that were buried beneath the weight of complacency.

Unearthing New Opportunities

unearthing new opportunities is like digging for treasure in your backyard, only to find out it’s a trampoline buried beneath all those worries and self-doubt – quite the unexpected bounce! I do love trampolines. They are an abundance of fun. For years, I held onto all these ‘shoulds’ and ‘musts’ like they were golden tickets to a chocolate factory. But when I finally let go of that nonsense, I realized I’d been missing out on opportunities that were as abundant as candy in Willy Wonka’s world. Turns out, life doesn’t have to be a series of scripted events; you can ad-lib your way through and discover new, uncharted territory, kinda sucks it took me so long. So, here’s to letting go, embracing your inner improv artist, and stumbling upon opportunities you never knew existed!

The act of letting go doesn’t mean closing doors; rather, it opens up a myriad of new opportunities. And in case the door behind close, then embrace it as well, for those doors were not meant to be open for you to begin with. As we release our grip on what no longer serves us, the universe conspires to bring us closer to experiences and people that align with our authentic selves. We might find a new job that sparks our passion or a relationship that fills our hearts with genuine love and understanding. These new opportunities remind us that we are deserving of happiness and fulfillment.

Reaffirming Our True Worth

Oh, the beauty of reaffirming our true worth! It’s like discovering a secret stash of chocolate in your sock drawer – unexpected, sweet, and a little bit hilarious. But when I finally let go, it was like realizing I’d been walking around with spinach stuck in my teeth all day, and nobody was saying anything about it. We’ve all fallen into the trap of thinking we’re not enough, as if we’re auditioning for the lead role in a never-ending soap opera of self-criticism. Once you shed that unnecessary drama, you start realizing that you’re the star of your own quirky sitcom, complete with laugh tracks and all.

With every new experience, realization, and opportunity, we reaffirm our true worth. We learn to set higher standards for ourselves and refuse to settle for less than we deserve. RThis is why it is so important for everyone to analyze their current life/work/love situation, all while remembering your true value. This really creates a positive ripple effect in all aspects of life, from personal relationships to career choices. The more we embrace our worth, the more we inspire others to do the same, and the more positive opportunities you attract. This is my ultimate goal.

In the End…

Picture this: Letting go of something we once thought was as good as a lifetime supply of free pizza but now realize it’s just soggy leftovers is like throwing a pizza party for our souls. It takes the courage of a ninja sloth to peel away that crusty cheese of familiarity and say, “I deserve better toppings!” So, we fling open the door to new pizza possibilities, toppings we never dared to dream of, and suddenly we’re in the realm of the best pepperoni pizza ever (if that’s your thing).

Sure, this process can be as challenging as deciphering hieroglyphics in a dark room, but trust me, the treasures that await are like discovering a stash of hidden comic books in your grandma’s attic – pure, unadulterated joy! So, buckle up, folks, for this roller-coaster ride of self-discovery, and remember, you’re worthy of a pizza topped with all your favorite dreams and a side of garlic knots.


Diana Giorgetti
Diana Giorgetti

Diana Giorgetti is a multiple trauma survivor, author, idea brewer, problem solver, professional freelancer, and web-designer. A graduate of the University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University with degrees in Psychology and Education Law, she is passionate about helping others, scuba diving, and writing (though not necessarily in that order). She lives in Miami, Florida with her two children and three dogs. She is the author of "The Fundamentals of PTSD: A Guide to Disemboweling the Disorder and Reclaiming Your Life," "PTSD & Relationships: A Survival Guide to Love and Be Loved," and "The PTSD Warrior Healing Mindset: Changes in Habits and Routines to Help Retrain the Brain After Trauma," and she's working on her fourth self-help book. You can find Diana's books on Amazon: amazon.com/author/dianahelps