Boredwalk Community: It's Okay to Say No
February 18, 2019

Boredwalk Community: It's Okay to Say No

Welcome to our weekly Boredwalk Community series, where we ask Boredwalk fans fun questions! This week we're talking to Carrie V. of Torrington, CT, looking sharp in a Someday We'll All Be Dead tee in black:

1. What's your actual day job and what's your dream day job?

I have worked in municipal government for a total of 15 years now (eight years in the Assessor's Office and seven years in the Planning & Zoning Department). In between the two, I returned to college to obtain my Bachelor of Arts in English, with the intention of becoming an editor/writer/what-have-you. At the time, I thought that was my dream job.

I dabble in poetry, micro-fiction, short stories, and I even have a half-written screenplay. I've freelanced for online publications. I also have two blogs where I publish my own work--one focusing on recipes (and beautiful photos, if I can brag for a moment), the other geared toward life with tweens and ranting about things that annoy me. But I learned that I need more structure than the self-employed life provides. So I guess my dream job is one that allows me to pay the bills while honoring my love for playing with language. 

2. What experience do you most want to cross off your bucket list?

I want to see the Northern Lights. A few years ago, it was predicted that there would be a possibility of seeing them in Southern New England. I got in the car at around 11, drove north with no plan or idea of where I might have a chance of seeing them, and hoped they'd just appear along the way. When I finally happened upon a location with enough darkness and visibility--in the middle of a long road that travels along a reservoir, which is typically underwater during the summer--it was sooooo dark. I parked, shut the car off, opened the car door...and couldn't convince myself get out. My mind raced with all the things that could be in the dark. Bears. Coyotes. People. Aliens. I closed the door, turned the car back on, and drove home. Next time I chase the Northern Lights, I need to at least bring a friend along, and maybe a little more courage, too.

3. You can curse a nemesis with a minor annoyance, what do you choose?

The inability to ever get there, their, they're correct. It's diabolical without really having any impact on their life.

4. What's the most useful piece of advice you've ever received?

As simple as it sounds, "it's okay to say no" is the best advice I've received.  It was only in the last two years that I finally took that to heart--but it took completely falling apart to finally be receptive to that message. Over-committing to avoid confrontation or spare disappointing others harms myself more than I could ever hurt them with my no--or they could hurt me with their reaction to it. Boundaries are essential for good mental health and success in life.

5. Where can the rest of the Boredwalk community find you?

They can find me at:
instagram.com/poetinthepantry
poetinthepantry.com
momruinsitall.com


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