I bought a thumb ring and it changed my life.

I have always believed that women who wore thumb rings were different and daring. I have known for many years that I was awkward and different but I didn't think I would ever be cool enough to wear a thumb ring. I have had a couple of rings before but I barely wore them. For some reason, I was scared to get a thumb ring. It was something that just wasn't for me.

It was a March winter spring Pittsburgh day in 2017. I was in my late 20's and single once again. I was just thinking about what could I do differently with myself. Obviously what I had been doing was not working for me. Random backstory I was previously in a 5- year relationship. After that a 1- year relationship. Anyways my usual, coping mechanism after a drastic life event is to change my hair or get a piercing. Well, my hair was already red and I didn't want any more extra holes. I thought to myself, "this time a hair change wasn't enough, a body modification wasn't enough. But what else could I do?

I started thinking that I needed a break from dating. In the words of Drake, "you know who you are right?" I asked myself a few things? Did I take enough time to figure out who I am? What kind of woman will I grow to be? When I look back on my 20's could I say that I have truly lived? So I sat on the side of my bed and thought to myself, "what's the one thing you have always wanted?" I kept repeating what Noah asked Allie, "WHAT DO YOU WANT?!?"

My head explodes wide open and I say I want a THUMB RING!! I ordered a 925 sterling silver thumb ring from Walmart. Yes, the ring was so simple and basic but it was life-changing for me. To describe the thumb ring it's curved so it just slides easily on your finger. You can also twist the ring down your finger. At first, I wore the ring on my left hand. Since I am right-handed more people would see it more and I didn't want the attention. So I put in on my left thumb. In school, I was always one of those kids who wore a hoodie or sweater to hide. Wearing the thumb ring feels like this small gesture that allows people to look at you. You see that lady with the thumb ring she has fun!

Once I put on the thumb ring I felt an instant self-confidence I never really felt before.

The first thing I did was start going to the gym by myself. Going to the gym is so intimidating. I took myself on dates to the movies and tried new foods. I solo traveled. I was open to meeting new people. I danced in public and didn't care what others thought. I started a master's program. I spoke at a conference. I would say getting this thumb ring was the best thing that's ever happened to me. A small accessory helped me get out of my comfort zone. After a while, I switched to wearing it on my right hand.

Who knew this little silver band on my thumb would give me so much courage to do things I have always wanted to do. In the past, I never did things, because I was afraid to do them alone. I had this idea in my mind that doing things alone is a bad thing. Guess what it really is not. I have had the time of my life enjoying things with or without people. Whenever I feel scared I just look down at my thumb ring.