This is a long post with very few (or no) pictures.

You’ve been warned.

Now and then, people ask me, “um, why is your blog called that?” That’s when I make a poorly-worded, overly brief description that likely makes little enough sense to get people to stop asking questions.

By the way: one day I’m going to be one of those people that can tell long-winded stories with superfluous detail and witty observations but for some reason, I usually just give the Cliff Notes version of just about everything when I’m talking in person. I don’t know why.

Anyway, my blog has this title for a couple reasons.

First: It’s original.

It used to be called, “I’m just saying.” There are a host of blogs out there called that, and I needed a new one.

There’s an app for that. (No, there isn’t.)

I asked my adorable British roommate what I say a lot. What’s a phrase so Holly that everyone will know it’s MY blog and maybe even get picked up by the Googles one day? She said, “if I were really skinny…” would be brill. So I went with it.

The phrase “if I were really skinny” became a joke to my friends and me months earlier because we started using it as an excuse for avoiding basically anything. Por ejemplo:

“Metallic gladiator sandals? If I were really skinny I would totally wear those.”
“Razored pixie haircut? If I were really skinny it would look good on me.”

You get the idea.

We knew it sounded ridiculous. It’s stupid to put off making a fashion statement just because you aren’t a size 2, but since it was a little bit funny, we kept saying it until it wasn’t anymore.

So, I titled my blog this because a) I say “if I were really skinny…” regularly, and b) I do everything my adorable British roommate tells me to.

Secondly: I believe in it.

Two of my favorite quotes are,

“80 percent of life is just showing up.” –Woody Allen
“This life is more than just a read-through.” – The Red Hot Chili Peppers (which I don't even listen to, btw)

I think it’s important to make the day count and live like you mean it and all that inspirational quote business, but going at 100% full force all the time isn’t realistic, and it isn’t smart. When you can’t go at full speed, that’s where just showing up becomes important. Because sometimes, it's all you have the energy for. And often, it's really all you need to do to build momentum to make things happen.

For example, would I enjoy being really skinny?

Sure. Almost every woman I know would like to lose that last 5, 10, 20 pounds.

Are there realistic, steady things I can do to push myself in that direction?

Uh-huh.

Can I put off enjoying my life until I’ve reached that aspiration?

Absolutely not.

I think though, that more people do this than we want to admit. We live in a world where people punish themselves for their imperfections to the point that they become crippled to improve on those weaknesses. We walk among people who believe they don’t deserve to be happy. We all have friends or loved ones who believe their lives will be complete once they have the looks or things or money that they think they ought to have – things they see other people with.

It’s madness, people. If you’re looking into the future to a day when you’ll finally be happy, that day will never come.

You do realize that…right?

If you can't find a way to be happy today, why do you think you'll be able to do it later?

Which is why when I heard Carrie Bradshaw find peace with her boss at Vogue, I knew I had found the perfect counterpart to “if I were really skinny…”

“Maybe the most any of us can do is not quit, play the hand we’ve been given and accessorize the outfit we’ve got.”

Thank you, Carrie. Your wisdom is truly the Woody to my Chili Peppers.

And now you know why my blog is titled the way it is. A paradox that makes perfect sense to me.

And now if you'll excuse me, the elliptical trainer and a weekend of diversions are calling my name.

Have a lovely Memorial Day weekend!