Don’t Be Dramática

As Latinas, we have a tendency to whine about everything. We are so quick to complain about things not going our way. We point fingers and we don’t like to be wrong. Somos dramáticas. If watching Novelas growing up has shown us anything, it’s to be good actresses.

As the year comes to an end, most of us tend to reflect on the past 12 months and think of all our accomplishments and things we put on hold. Things we wish we would have done better and things we wish we would have started. We look around and we see so many successful women our age doing things and we can’t help but feel stuck. We complain about not having enough time. We complain about not having the resources. We blame our hectic lifestyles. The kids get blamed. The husband gets blamed. Our demanding jobs get blamed. We bitch, we nag, and we complain again.

But have we stopped for a minute and thought about the real culprit in the situation? Have we thought that maybe, all this time we spend complaining about things not going our way, is time wasted? Have we sat down and contemplated that maybe the only person holding us back from getting anything done in our lives is ourselves? We’re so quick to blame and point fingers. Have we thought about looking at ourselves and realizing that we are standing in our own way?

We are jefas in nature. It’s in our blood. As Latinas we posses pasión. A trait so powerful that when used in the right way, it can lead to wonderful things. Let’s stop the blaming and complaining about outside factors that we have no control over. Let’s use our pasión to reach our goals. Let’s get out of our own way! Let’s not sulk in sorrow. It’s time to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and it’s time to get out and make things happen.

For me personally, one of the hardest things for me to tackle this year has been my weight. I was just told by my gynecologist last week that I gained 30 pounds in the last 11 months. Something that I knew was happening in the passing weeks, but it was much harder hearing from another person. A person who had no idea what my day to day life looks like.

Just as I was about to complain to my OB about life and all of its obstacles, just as I was about to blame everyone and everything else, I stopped myself. Truth is, who wants to hear someone complain about something they are not doing anything to change or make better? If it’s anyone’s fault that my weight has gotten out of control, it’s mine. It’s time I take back the reigns of my life and make some changes. It’s time to be the jefa of my own life and direct myself where I know I need to go. It’s time to step down from my drama queen throne, dig deep and start crushing my personal goals.

Whatever your struggle has been this year, identify it, accept it, and make a list of ways to make yourself better in that area. Wether it’s time management, money management, weight management, etc., write it down and create a plan. Put on your big girl chonis and don’t be dramatica!