No Resolution – Now What?

Following last week’s blog about New Years Resolutions, we are hopefully on the roll of taking things for 2022, one step at a time. I hope you could sit back and look at things from a different perspective. If you have missed it you can click on the link here to read about it.

Okay, so now what? We have taken the proverbial measuring stick and chucked it out of the front door. What would the next step be? Where do we go from here? We cannot live life aimlessly and without some form of structure or a plan to move towards. Don’t get mixed up between a firm foundation of solid thinking and planning with New year’s Resolutions. I firmly believe there is a huge difference.

If you remember my last blog about this subject I said that we usually aim too high with resolutions and it becomes an immeasurable task to focus on each and every time. We slip up and we develop a feeling of failing or not being good enough. Even settling for less.

I also said life is like a pie. Eating it bit by bit. So let’s look at what makes a good pie, the best pie on the block. It would need the right ingredients mixed in the correct way and baked at the right temperatures. You might be thinking I have lost the plot and I am working at an angle to share my delicious apple pie. But alas no. I’ll leave that for another day.

If we look at the things that make life a little bit better, all mixed up in a bowl and baked to be enjoyed. I’m not just talking about finances, the right job, a good family etc. All of which are good pointers to consider and aim for. But what about what makes you feel better? What ingredients do you need?

Do you need spiritual insight? Perhaps personal or emotional growth. A step forward in your physical health or advancement or even a change in your professional career.

We are all experiencing the excruciating fast pace life is taking us on. This never ending journey of do, do, do or get, get, get. I ask myself the question when did I last sit down and take stock of my life. Where do I want to go? What is important to me? What do I need?

As a single mom I realize very quickly some hard answers to those questions. I can choose to face them head on, see it for what it is and take small steps in the opposite directions to rectify them or I can make like an ostrich and bury my head in the sand. Something you will agree won’t make anything better.

Over the next couple of weeks I want to take myself and you on a journey of rediscovery. How do we fix our boo-boo’s and the things we would have chucked in the New Years Resolution bin in a step by step, and may I add small steps, towards our goals.

We can’t climb a mountain with one leap. We have to get secured first with a rope or firm base of safety equipment.

The first thing I felt I needed to look at was my Psychological well being. If my mind is not in a good place. I feel I can try and eat any pie and I will not taste anything.

I sometimes talk too much to myself. Yeah I know a strange phenomenon!

Have you felt you do that too? I would berate myself for not getting to everything I planned for the day. Or I would think I could have done things differently with my daughter or with my mom. I would criticize everything. I realized never in one day would I tell myself, you are doing a good job or you are okay. You got this.

Being single I suppose I don’t have someone to talk about everything that goes on in my day. Not everyone I know has the time to listen to my issues or ask for advice. I also find that being a single parent, all my time is devoted to work and my daughters needs. When I have the rare moment of some time to myself I don’t know what to do. I usually fall asleep halfway through a movie that is not an animation. Or I will sit and stare at a wall and have another monolog about what I could have done! Sad I know.

My plan is for all this to change. My mind is going to be fixed first. This gray matter I carry around will be of good use to me from today. How would you ask?

I have done some research and below are some points I like to share with you that I am putting into practice for good.

* Relax in the sun – I don’t get out too much. Living in a coastal town I have the beach at my front door and I hardly make the time to visit it. This is definitely changing.

* Journal my day – One great way to measure my growth and transformation, by writing my feelings down and perhaps even noting down the way I experience the Lord’s guidance. I do not think I sit back enough to look at where God has guided me or helped me through a stumbling block.

* Some mirror action – Self reflection. Look at my reflection in the mirror and find my good qualities. Maybe perhaps squeeze in a pep talk for the day.

* Do what I love – Those close to me know art and pottery is close to my heart. My soul bursts when I play around with clay. I don’t have all the equipment but I am going to stop using that as an excuse and find ways to make this happen. Creating and self expression is like flood gates opening up. You are not limited by anything.

These are only 4 steps into the right direction. I can add more and I am sure you can as well. I want you to really take the time to look at what you need. We can’t keep on giving and giving of ourselves to our children, our husbands, our families and even our careers and we neglect ourselves. This year is your Year to make things happen.

As we are discussing Psychological selfcare, comment below #Selfcare and your choice of what that selfcare will be for you. Here are some ideas of what you can use.

#Selfcaremetime

#SelfcaredowhatIlove

#Selfcarejournaling