2021… I honestly don’t know if I have anything worthy to add to the chit chat about how difficult 2021 was for so many I love. The tragic and unexpected death of my daughter aside, it was challenging and soul crushing for me on oh so many levels. So, let’s just let me leave that acknowledgment as it is, shall we?
What about 2020? Well, I survived a pandemic amidst my middle son’s two surgeries compounded by many other challenges. I even tried to ‘retire’ #TheHealthyHabitLady blog and social media. Yeah well … that didn’t work out … folks wanted their cheerleader back; and I needed to be back. But there is nothing wrong with breaks, nothing at all.
Anyone remember 2019? That was the year I survived a devastating divorce and dissolved a 26 year marriage, lost my home, was financially obliterated and started all over, with my children, in a small town here in Northeast Texas. I traded in suburbia and city life for 13 acres on a lake. Zero regrets. Then menopause hit me. Oh Joy.
Guess what? I’m still here, I have survived, my heart is still beating and my blessings they do abound. Now I think I’d like a year to THRIVE … and not just survive. Anyone else?
Regardless of tragedies and sucker punches, I have had a few wins! Truly, I have… and I intentionally wrote them down in a journal by Mel Robbins … in my very own messy handwriting … to reflect and remind myself that YES, I AM STILL HERE. I’m still breathing and I do actually still have something to offer to those around me. I still have a voice. I still have something to say. I still have children to raise. I am 52 years young. I am far from done.
It is so important to celebrate your wins, and I hope you take a moment to honor anything that you accomplished in 2021, or even in the last few years. No matter how small .. it does matter. Write out your top 5, maybe it’s just barely a top 3 …. but I double dog dare you to do a little dance! Articulate your gifts and greatness into any flimsy words you can manage to string together. Building on that sense of accomplishment helps you with this next step … which is to plan your 2022! Be present in 2022! Engage in 2022!
Now I will whisper in your ear … drown out the distracting noises. If only for a moment, ignore the dog barkin’ and listen with intent. Here’s the question: Have you set any goals for this year? Not resolutions. GOALS?! Do you use a journal or a planner? I’d love to hear about your tools.
Now comes the most important question: Have you mapped out any strategies and action steps needed to accomplish desired goals? My brutal truth is this: YES, I have started ~~but I haven’t finished. My brain is still churning, my gears are still turning. Yes, Ms. Deb is still crafting and prioritizing, but I’m doing it ~ nonetheless.
My emotional bandwidth and mental energy are growing stronger, so let me hear from ya! How can we be here for each other throughout this year? Who can YOU reach out to this week; whether to ask for help or offer encouragement? Who can you check on and remind them that – yes – they matter? Who can you impress, even if it is just yourself? Who can you shock the hell out of this month? Now go on, get busy.
As for me and my mirror, we are good pals. Come tomorrow morning, when I see the rising woman whom I will greet with a ‘good morning‘ … when I see her in that gloriously flawed yet marvelous reflection … that woman will get a High 5! She deserves it, and so do you, my friend, so do you.
As always, make champion choices,
The Healthy Habit Lady
Buying a journal is one thing …
and yet OPENING it is quite another 🙂
My Amazon Associate link if you would like to purchase this journal by Mel Robbins:
https://amzn.to/3qRTXQD
I originally discovered Mel Robbins on LinkedIN, this is her page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins/
My Amazon Associate link if you would like to purchase the High 5 Audiobook, which I have done, and am presently listening to in my car, on my way to and from work:
https://amzn.to/31ry6H5
The first book I ever read by Mel Robbins was The 5 Second Rule, and I read it on my Kindle, but it is available in other formats. Still a fabulous read or listen, and here is my Amazon Associate link if you’re interested:
https://amzn.to/31pD6vG
Meanwhile, Mel Robbins has a High 5 Crew Group on Facebook, I just joined today:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/high5crew
The Healthy Habit Lady 