How being an Only has shaped my Life!

The Voice of an Only

It is so funny that something I had absolutely NO control over could have so much meaning in my life!  While I’m on a journey to Finding My Forty I have to take into consideration every aspect of my life and why I respond and do things the way that I do.  You see I am an Only, no half siblings from either of my parents at all!!  I am a true Only child!  But what does that mean?

Well, as a child I had to play alone which means that I was gifted with a very vivid imagination!  I loved my childhood and enjoyed being a child!!  It was fun and I have wonderful memories from it!  My mother made sure that I was a child and experienced many wonderful things.  My childhood memories are filled with fun, new experiences and laughter.  However, my adolescent years were different!  I really had a problem with my body changing and growing up. It was such an “awkward” time for me.  I had to learn to focus on the good things in my life at all times.

As an Only I always had friends, in fact making friends became easy for me because I am an outgoing person and I love people!  I was not socially awkward and would actually talk to anybody.  On the other hand I enjoyed being alone without ever feeling lonely and when I wanted to be around others I would enjoy my time with them just the same.  I enjoyed being by myself because it allowed me to become in tune with me and who I was.  I learned how to become totally fine with who I was at this stage in my life!

By the time I went away to college I was not prepared for what was to come.  In fact, I learned many life lessons in college both good and bad.  While in college away from home, I learned the importance of friends and having good, supportive and encouraging people around me.  I didn’t retreat as much to myself as I would spend more time with my friends and I enjoyed it!  At this time in my life I also knew I wanted to be married and have a large family!  Yep, I was not prepared for this but I certainly have what I desired and I’m always adjusting to it and forever grateful!

Now I’m learning sibling relationships from my children and I must say that it is an eye opening adventure!  Having four children and watching their interactions gives me such joy but also makes me wonder about having siblings myself.  Little things like always having someone to call and listen when you need them.  There is something wonderful in knowing that as you go through life you will always have someone who loves you who isn’t one of your parents but really supports you and is there for you no matter what!  I love that about sibling relationships!  It is like you were given best friends from the start of your life!

While I love watching sibling relationships I also have to personally celebrate being an Only.  There are not too many of us out there and we have some very different challenges that others do not have and may not understand.  But these challenges make us unique and also equip us to value the friendships and relationships that we make in our lives!

Please join me as we explore my voice as an Only because I think we do not have a strong voice in society today.  Only children have many negative stereotypes that follow us.  I would like to discuss these as well as teach what life has been like for me as an Only.  There are some real challenges that Only children must overcome while going through their life journey.   We will share those stories here!  From different perspectives of Only adults and parents of Only children.  This is another phase of my journey to Finding My Forty, My voice as an Only!!

Until next time.

Hugs,

Krista