You are probably asking why I devoted an entire blog post to define the phrase: "hot mess." Well, it is because my next two posts will call a dear friend and even my deceased brother a hot mess, and I want to make sure EVERYONE is clear on what I mean by these words, since words and phrases are always open to interpretation.
I personally started using Hot Mess because I mainly liked the sound of it and liked the idea that it conjured in my head to describe someone or something. I found this article on The History of 'Hot Mess' to be an interesting read. I like how it says:
In recent years, āHot Messā has been called upon to designate various unmanageables, of both human and non-human varieties.
For people, I use "hot mess" solely as a term of endearment!
According to Wikipedia:
A term of endearment is a word or phrase used to address or describe a person, animal or inanimate object for which the speaker feels love or affection. Terms of endearment are used for a variety of reasons, such as parents addressing their children and lovers addressing each other.
While I grew up where it was normal to go out of your way to say mean things to people, I have recently made a shift away from using sarcasm.
If hearing "hot mess" still offends you...
I'm still going to use it. I will use it to describe people, places, and even things. If my use of the phrase "hot mess" repels you (especially after reading this post), I am so sorry. Perhaps that simply means that we are not a match for each other. Don't worry, I won't take it personally! š
Even I can be a Hot Mess!
Now, I can't go calling other people a hot mess before owning my own "hot-messness," can I? Here some ways I am a hot mess:
- My email inboxes are almost always a "disaster," even though I have some favorite tools to help tame them. I will share these tools with you and even tell you how I declare "email bankruptcy." In the meantime, don't ever expect a response from me via email.
- I want to be liked and I want what I can't have. I know that's true of all of us, but I've been extreme about both. I like to think I'm improving in these areas.
- I canāt teach you the same thing more than 3 times. Ask my cousin. I feel I'm good at teaching technology to lay people... but don't press your luck by asking the same thing over and over. One of the things that excites me about this blog is the ability to document my teachings once and for all!
- I know I talk a lot. Mainly because I'm excited to share things I've learned and stuff that's fun. I was once told I like to hear myself talk. š
- Sometimes I repeat myself because it is hard for me to track of who I told what. Just tell me you've heard that before or at least nod your head and smile to give me a hint that I've already told you this one.
- I'm unfiltered, but is that really a bad thing? Hopefully you can see my core values through my transparency and the fact that I am mostly an open book.
- When I have an idea, I often disrupt the conversation to write it down or bring it up. Ask my previous employee Stephanie. Even though it made our systems better, it used to drive her crazy!
- I can't dance, and some friends have a video to prove it.
- I have a history of getting myself in trouble with words, so I've learned to be more careful and I have a coach to help me improve.
- I swear a lot and I am horribly inappropriate at times, but more often than not, this just elicits a smile. š
- If you choose to interact with me on my new favorite messaging app, be prepared for me to be constantly moving around while I talk to you. I'm sorry, but I can't help it! It's how I get my creative juices flowing. Growing up, I used to irritate my mom with my constant wandering using the kitchen phone, and that had a cord! Apparently not much has changed in that department.
I'm okay with stopping at 11 character flaws for now. š If you'd like to learn about my character gifts, subscribe to my mailing list now!