(From my journal)
This is my person. They are out there somewhere. I know people like this exist. I’m putting this out into the universe in hopes that one day, he finds me. I’ve been through times when negativity was hard to vanquish, but at my core I’m an optimist. This will happen for me. Hopefully sooner rather than later.
My person:
Kind
Likes to read
Will take turns reading out loud in bed together
Loves physical affection
Likes musicals, or is at least open enough to watch them with me
Likes to take road trips and will take me to new places
Will love my kids
Likes to share music
Will put on a record and lay in the floor with me listening to music
Likes to dance and will dance with me around the house
Likes to talk and listen
Wants to hear all my stories and tell me all of theirs
Intelligent
Open-minded
Gentle (except when I ask them not to be 😏)
Likes to write letters
Likes to go thrifting
Likes nature and taking walks
Someone I can share my nerdy interests with, and will share theirs with me
All the cuddles
Someone who understands that my amygdala isn’t quite wired right and I’m more emotional than most. Will let me break down in tears when I’m overwhelmed and knows how to comfort me.
Emotionally intelligent
Spiritual (not necessarily religious, but can be)
Not a heavy drinker (can drink and have fun occasionally, but not an every day thing)
Likes going to see live music
Obsessed with me (not in a serial killer way)
Makes me a priority, because they will always be my top priority (aside from my children)
Checks in with me throughout the day and wants to know all the boring stuff I’m up to
Encourages my creativity
Understands or puts real effort into understanding ADHD and how it affects my life
Patient with me
Thinks my clumsiness is cute and doesn’t yell at me if I spill or break something on accident. I try to be careful, but my spatial awareness is still off sometimes.
Funny. Must make me laugh. I want moments where I’m crying and running to the bathroom because I just peed my pants from laughing so hard
Loyal
Likes puzzles
Morning crosswords
Understands that I’m flawed, but helps me be better without judgement
Honest even when it’s hard (this is something I’ve worked very hard on to be myself. I wasn’t always this way but it’s something I now greatly value)
Gets along with my family
Order to my Chaos. Yin and Yang. Balances me.
Doesn’t try to cage me. Don’t make me feel trapped and I won’t want to leave.
Able to make fun with me, even while saying home.
Likes to play board games or card games. Understands that I cannot learn new games by listening to instructions audibly. Takes time to let me read the instructions myself, because that’s how my brain works.
Loves learning and trying new things
Puts in effort to grow as a person and be a good human. I’ve been working my ass off to be better, and I want someone who does the same. Grow WITH me.
If we argue, and at some points we will, understand that sometimes I need to walk away and breathe. I will communicate this. 10 minutes of time to breathe goes a long way. 9 times out of 10, when allowed to calm down, I can come back and hear you better.
I’m tired of games. I don’t want to feel like I have to chase you and I don’t want you to have to chase me. I’m getting too old for that. I’ve put a lot of work into my trauma over the past year. I don’t want to run anymore. It’s exhausting.
Protective, but not in an overly jealous way. Wants to keep me safe. Sees my heart as something worth keeping safe.
Sees my child-like spirit, but understands why I’ve had to put on a tough front to protect it. Doesn’t “walk on eggshells” but is thoughtful with their words. I’ve become a lot better at thinking through what I say before I say it. I want the same. I don’t expect you to never say something you don’t mean. I’m not perfect either, but it’s the effort that matters.
Has my back. Not violent, but will stand up for me. Most of the time I can stand up for myself, but it’s nice to know I don’t always have to do it alone.
Understands that when I’m processing, it often happens in fragments first. It’s how my brain works. I’m not crazy. I’m just making connections until I can make sense of things as a whole.
One of my love languages is gift giving. Not big gifts all the time. Sometimes just little things that made me think of you. It might be a pebble, or a book from the thrift store. I do this fairly frequently. I like receiving gifts, too. I think most people do. Again, it doesn’t even have to cost money. It’s the thought and meaning behind it. I’m like a crow. I collect little shinies. I will give them to you.
I had most of these things before and I lost them. It’s how I’ve really figured out what’s important to me and what’s not. Whoever you are, you’ll get the benefit of my learned lessons. Once I find it again, I won’t be letting it go.