
This last year has been a whirlwind. Most days have felt like an uphill battle, and who likes feeling like you’re not in control of your own life? Not me! I’ve been fortunate. Don’t get me wrong. I married my best friend in October 2017, and we’ve traveled to Bali, Barcelona, Los Angeles, and more since then. I’ve had happy days, but I also lost my uncle, grandfather, and dad all over the last year. So, I’m not going to act like it’s been rainbows and butterflies.
Some days, I didn’t feel like getting out of bed. It felt like too much work to get dressed and put on makeup. How could I act like everything was normal when everything was so different? I’d felt so motivated before, but after a year of taking care of others, I’d forgotten how to take care of myself. I made excuse after excuse to put off work on this website. The hard truth though was that I wasted my time and my talents by wallowing. I knew that my family, especially my dad, would want me to pursue my passion. Whatever that might be. I finally decided I had to make some changes if I was going to be the best version of myself, so here I am telling you not to make the same mistakes that I did. Do the damn thing (and try to have a little fun while you’re at it!)
Here’s what I had to do to get back on track:
First things first, kick those bad habits to the curb. Stop drinking that extra glass of wine while binge watching Netflix each night. Stop skipping the gym because it’s raining outside. Just stop. You know what you’re doing, and it’s called being passive.Passive rest has very few benefits, and by ignoring your commitments, you’re only making yourself feel worse.
Resource: The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins gives some excellent advice on this topic, and the author’s suggested techniques will empower you in a variety of situations from getting out of bed on time to quitting your job.
This one’s important. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT forget about the support system you already have. When you’re going through a hard time or taking the plunge into new unchartered territories, lean on the people that have been your ride or dies since day one. Don’t forget about them. Make time for them, love on them, and support them in their goals too. When we’re stressed, we tend to take out our frustrations or neglect on those we love the most. Listen to my advice here, and don’t do this. It’ll be better for your friends, your marriage, your relationship, your co-workers, and everyone else that could be subject to your grumpiness each day.
Her book, Learning to Breathe, tells the story of the grueling hours she spent traveling in the bed of a truck on the way to medical help and how she used that experience to catapult herself forward.