BECCA
W. Bridgewater, MA
Mother, daughter, sister, friend, student, teacher. I'm strong-willed, outspoken, and determined. I believe people should treat others the way that they want to be treated. Acts of kindness, loyalty, and compassion go a long way. My greatest strength is my drive. Once I decide that I want to do something, I don't let anything or anybody stop me. I am a type-A personality and tend to let the fear of not succeeding control me. At times, I'd consider being a perfectionist, a weakness. I stress about things before they even happen. In the past year, I have completely lost myself. My role as a stay-at-home mom has ended. I have abruptly become a single mom who has to split her time between work, nursing school, and kids. Working second shift makes the days feel super long - I consume way too much coffee. "Mom guilt" pushes me to overload my plate. I try to pencil in fun-filled activities for my children - I love to see them laughing and smiling during a turbulent time in their lives. Many days, though, I feel I am not good enough and that I am failing as a mom, a daughter, and a friend. But my "village" likes to tell me otherwise. I firmly believe that struggles are temporary and success only comes after failure. My biggest insecurity is my body. I've always been super conscious of my weight. During my teen years, I obsessively logged everything I ate and then would try to burn it off at the gym. After kids, my body-image insecurities peaked. I still find myself passing mirrors - pulling on loose skin and focusing on other imperfections, day-dreaming of the day when I will truly feel confident in my skin. When these negative feelings consume me, I remind myself that I am healthy. I can run, jump, see, touch and feel - so many things that others can't. For the first time in my adult life, I am finding out who I am and what makes me happy. In the next 10 years, I hope to be working as a RN. I want my life to be settled, less chaotic, and a little more predictable. I am Becca and I feel most alive when I'm surrounded by the love of my children and pushing my body to new limits.
