On Thriving…..
Eyecandy Project 52: Week 1: You At the Beginning
Last year, I made a vision board, hoping that it would hone my focus and help guide me and motivate me to do great things.
I was HYPE!
And then…
Nothing happened.
Ok, I take that back, some wonderful things happened. See here and here and here …here
BUT.
There was no focus…….
I was all over the place, not consistent, not following through. And by the end of the year, I looked around and realized that I had lost…..me.
I have been somebody’s mom or wife for the last 11 years and I forgot about the rest of me. I used to be the queen of self-care. It was NOTHING for me to schedule myself a spa day, to get my hair done, to read a book just because, go shopping, to take myself to lunch, dinner, or a cruise.
I took care of me.
But in our society, there is a culture of women putting children and husbands before ourselves. And we as mothers, wives, women suffer because of it. .
I’ve lost ME.
I realized that I’ve given other people too much power over how I’m feeling about myself and I’m just not doing what I know I’m capable of.
My Daddy once told me he was so proud of me for doing what I wanted to do, how I wanted to do it. I agreed with him, that was me. But in the last year, I’ve had problems believing that. I’ve been down on myself, only seeing my shortcomings and not my wins.
I am never going to be all the things to everybody. It’s not possible. It’s not SUPPOSED to be possible. But I’ve let social media, other people’s opinions and the little voice in my head tell me otherwise.
I’m tired of feeling shitty about myself and what I can or can’t do. That ends NOW.
I’m going to have a good year this year. I will NEVER again feel like I’m not a good enough mother, not a good enough wife, not a good enough cook, housekeeper, writer, photographer, or human being.
This year I will see all of the mundane beauty in my life.
I will see my wins, big and small.
I will be the version of me that I know exists.
The me that has been cowering in a corner for the last few years it seems.
I kept going around and around about picking a word. I had done it once before and it helped. Really it did.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary:
Thrive:
-
to grow vigorously : flourish
-
to gain in wealth or possessions : prosper
-
to progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances
If you are looking for me, I’ll be somewhere in the world thriving.
Happy New Year Friends.
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If you want to make your own word of the year, check out a few resources:
- My girl Amber Wright talks about planning an amazing year with one word here
- Susannah Conway’s Free 5 day course and workbook
- Ali Edwards One Little Word Workshop
I’ve been picking one word the last few years and I love it. Forget all the resolutions I’ll never keep. Focusing on one word is so much easier and freeing. I LOVE your word for 2017. I’m playing around with two or three words and I’ll know the one by the end of the week . . . hopefully!
I am liking this word enough. Yes I am enough woman, wife, mother, daughter and the list goes one. Very inspiring.
I spent last year trying to get adjusted to the hubs death this year I am more focused on me. I have to be a better me in order to be a better mother to my kids.
It is so true. We, as mothers, tend to lose ourselves because we are more focused on looking after others and not ourselves. In a society that shames you if you try to focus on YOU. So, I say, good for you. It’s ok to take care of others, but you have to take care of yourself first.
Well listen, if in 2016 you weren’t living your best life I can’t wait to see what 2017 looks like for you!! If you need reminders of how badass you are think of the little people you’ve inspired to just be better (::raises hand::)! Last year my word was build and I stuck to it more than my vision board I think, this year is STRETCH! No more fear or comparison, so I also love yours. Happy Thriving Year!!
I love this concept of picking a word and focusing on it. This year I hope to thrive, too! I’m hoping to grow my business and focus on my health a little more!
I love this. It is so true. We always manage to put our kids and husbands before ourselves, but when it comes down to it, how do we get it all done if we don’t take care of ourselves?? It’s time to focus more on us.
Great post
Love this! And what you said here: “I’m tired of feeling shitty about myself and what I can or can’t do”. That is so me. I can relate to this post so much! And you are right, it IS time to change things around.
It sounds like your super motivated and I think that’s a great way to start the year off. Now is always a good time to make changes.
I don’t necessarily think that because we put our kids first we have to lose ourselves, but I do think that when we start to compare we lose our joy. My kids will always come first, but they also know that mom needs some alone time sometimes. That benefits all of us!
I hope that 2017 is a more joy filled year for you!
I was once like you. I let social media and what other people thought of me drive my life. I realized that it doesn’t matter what other people think. As long as you are happy with who you are, that is all that matters.
Your honest post hits home for me. While on the outside it looks like I’ve had a great year, on the inside I neglected me. I allowed self-pitty and self-loath to take over my mind most times. I need to change that and tame those thoughts this year. Wishing you well in 2017 and may you thrive brightly!
I love it. You put into words how I’ve been feeling. I spent two years intensively caring for the family, after all the growing up years for the kids, and it needed to be done, but my blog suffered, my creativity suffered….I’m feeling like I need focus. I need to thrive this year. Thank you for setting the example.
i am not a mom but i do hear a lot of them say that they feel like they have or are losing themselves. thanks for this post very inspiring.
I love this post! I also want to spend 2017 thriving. It is so hard to always think you are doing your best. I hope we both succeed this year in everything and keep a positive outlook.
How. We all have our moments when we might feel as if we fall short but don;t fret. Sometimes you have to outweigh the good from the bad. Always find something in your day to be thankful for. No matter what it is; even the littlest thing. So worth your smile. You never know how much you might brighten someone else’s day. Thank you for sharing the definition to thrive. I love that a lot. Keep pushing. You got this. And you are probably better than you considered. In truth.
It’s so easy to set resolutions at the beginning of the year but before it’s even end of January we forget them all, I do monthly goals and have worked for the last two years. Thrive is a good word to have for the year
I love this post, we all need this kind of push and motivation to do better in life! It’s important that we take good care of ourselves and to also make sure that we’re thriving. I’m sure you’re going to reach your goals for this year!
I love (and can relate) to this post. I feel like I have lost myself in motherhood as well. One thing I am doing is treating myself to something I want every time I get paid. Last week, I went on a little shopping spree at Tuesday Morning to buy stationery items. I just had a client pay me today, so I think I may go get my hair done.
I chose a word last year but totally forgot, So much went on in my life. I wish I had focused on it better because my one word was…FREE