Rebecca Rine - What Waits Ahead is Way Better... and Way Worse Than You Imagined: True stories of balancing joy and poo in life.

If youre like me, you find yourself submerged in contradictions. Life is great and fulfilling, yes! But its also ordinary and full of mundane routines that sometimes make me pause and wonder if this is really all there is. And then I feel like an ungrateful jerkwad when I find myself complaining because life is great and fulfilling, yes! These erratic tides of fulfillment mixed with yearning for more are the cadence of adult life.

Its enough to make my head spin at times.

But, the truth is, inconsistencies are the exact weapons we need to tune into ourselves and determine if were on the right path. If we fit neatly into one box at all times without question, we run the risk of getting paralyzed by self-induced comfort. The pushing and pulling between contentment and change are where we come alive, once we know how to make a truce with the discomfort that friction brings. It doesn't mean its easy.

The older I get, the more I realize that life runs more smoothly when I can plant my feet firmly on the middle ground while being able to sway in the winds that inevitably come from all directions. I challenge myself to face each day with gratitude for where I am, mixed with a curiosity for more and the reality that the next dark valley or gray plateau of static might be just a step away.

Like you, I am an ever-changing person. We all are. The best person to be is ourselvesnot the people we wish we were. Lets be our crazy, annoying, loud, emotional, loving, hilarious selves without apology but also own it when we mess up. We need permission to be real and transparent that life is just damn difficult at times and overwhelmingly full of joy other times. Who we are sometimes evolves just as quickly as our lives are changing, and being buckled in for that adventure is more fun than cringing and dreading it.

Because Im human, I find myself dreading it, too.

As you read this book, consider yourself and your life. Think about the ways you deserve a pat on the back and the ways you could use a kick in the pants to get you moving. In these chapters, I share some of my experiences, pitfalls, goals, and observations, not to be self-absorbed, but to be vulnerable about my thoughts, so you have permission and confidence to do the same.

Even though our experiences are not identical, I hope you find connection and value in taking time to hover above yours instead of being on a conveyor belt in the hot messes of daily life. Its hard to find reflection there, buried in grocery lists and post-it notes reminding you to pick up your kids.

Give yourself the gift of stepping away from it to see it better.

At the end of each chapter is a conversation starter section, which consists of questions for you to consider about your life. My vision is that the questions lead to profound discussions within book clubs, families or friends that start positive fires in the bellies of women everywhere.

If the thought of talking about feelings in front of others makes you want to barf in your mouth a little, then, of course, dont do that. But please do pause to answer the questions I pose to see what you observe when you view your life from a different angle. If we dont shake things up sometimes, we only get more of the same.

Im no psychologist. Im not famous. Im just a woman who feels life deeply. Sometimes my strength thrives there. Other times, its the very thing that consumes me.

I juggle motherhood, marriage, work, relationships, spirituality, and health while trying to carve out time to check in with myself to make sure Im putting my best foot forward. Sometimes I feel sanity is slipping away because there is so much to be done. Other times I feel the satisfaction of knowing good enough is my definition of perfection.

Im in the trenches and discovering life doesnt start someday when I check things off my list. Life starts todaythis imperfect, ordinary minuteand it continues to start again every minute. If I can cultivate happiness inside of myself, I can carry that ember into whatever today has in store. Whether its as tedious as making dinner or as exciting as traveling to a new place, I am better equipped to feel the beauty and depth of each experience while fighting the urge to be swallowed by the inevitable challenges and mundane routines.

Balancing the dualities of each day is something women tend to feel the weight of more than men. As Ive written this book, I would ask my husband, Dont you ever think about...and then fill in the blank with some inner dichotomy like wanting to be a good mom and wife but also wanting to flip everyone off while running through the streets, telling them Im done.

Ive quickly learned men dont pick apart life and emotions quite as much as women do, and I appreciate that. Theres a reason women feel drawn to sit around with their girlfriends talking, laughing, and venting about how hard life is. Its because it is, and that truth tends to feel heavier to us, since more expectations are tethered to us.

Do you feel it?

We need to band together and give voice to the things that hold us back. Id rather we support each other instead of compete with and judge each other. If women put their strengths together instead of tamping them down, the world would shine brighter. If we can embrace and listen to the daily contradictions that live inside of us, we can walk into each new day with a confidence that comes only from knowing who we are and what were capable of.

Weve all arrived at this moment from somewhere, and were all going somewhere unknown as we trek along.

You are here. Right here. Right now. And that place is pretty spectacular and shitty at the same time.

Am I right?

Lets move forward, knowing were perfect as is, yet we have so much to learn.

Lets look to the past for insight, but not dwell on it enough to take away our current spark.

Lets stay in our own lanes while being curious about others in their lanes instead of being annoyed and judgmental.

Lets give our best selves to others, but not so much that theres nothing left for us.

Most importantly, lets be honest and say it can be terrifying not knowing what today holds. We can live life more fully once we agree to let it all in to witness what enormity and ordinariness it brings, adding more layers of wisdom to our story with each step and stumble.

The child in us doesnt head out the second we sign a mortgage or make meatloafeach adult is just a transportation shell for their inner child.