Rachel Wilkerson’s First Rule

I realized that while I love sharing my lessons, I also have to share my rules! I’ve been told on many occasions, “You have a lot of rules.” It’s true. I’m pretty all-or-nothing, and that makes me pretty rule-oriented.

I’m not a “Rules Girl” in the sense that I’m old-fashioned but I’m a rules girl in the sense that I make decisions and declarations and then I just stick with them. Some of the rules may seem a little silly, but they really tend to work and keep me out of trouble.

I wasn’t even going to list the first rule because I feel as though it’s a given that requires no explanation, but, for the sake of recording things for posterity I suppose I will…

Had I realized this a couple years ago, I’m pretty sure I would never have had any problems with…anything…ever. I love this rule because it’s pretty all-encompassing. When all else fails in a situation and I’m not sure what to do, I just go back to this rule. Don’t be ridiculous, plain and simple.

But we all know I am ridiculous! The hardest part, really, is knowing the difference between Good Ridiculous and Bad Ridiculous. You can still be ridiculous and not be ridiculous. And what’s [ridiculous] is that I don’t feel like I really need to explain that distinction to any of you. I’m pretty sure you just get it.

But just in case you don’t get it, here’s an example:

You: Rachel, last night was ridiculous! I went home with a reality TV celeb and then did a Walk of Shame straight into my cousin’s baptism.

Me: OMG you are so ridiculous!! What are you going to do now?

You: Go eat two bagels and drink two milkshakes.

Me: Uhhhh no you aren’t. Don’t be ridiculous!

You: But can I text the celeb?

Me: Of course!

Do you see the distinction?

It’s hard to really explain Good Ridic vs. Bad Ridic, but I think it’s like Pornography vs. Art…you just know it when you see it!

I actually think I can make this an acronym, just like DIK.

You: Rachel, I don’t want to work out today.

Me: What are you going to do instead?

You: Watch Jersey Shore reruns…

Me: DBR!!!! Go for a run right now!

If you still don’t get it, just keep reading my blog…I think you’ll get it eventually. It’s about being That Girl without being That Girl. I just can’t help myself when it comes to being ridiculous…but I’m so glad I’ve finally stopped being ridiculous.