Monday Motivaton

It’s a new week and a new month! This week will include a lot of planning and meetings for me. But then, next week, it will slow down a bit. Maybe not so much in the “meetings” department, but as we get closer to the end of the year our offices start to wind down. People start to take vacations, and some switch to working remotely when they can. But I’m getting ahead of myself. For now, I just want to say, HAPPY DECEMBER! I hope this month is a joyful one for you rather than a stressful one. I hope you’re getting to do something you enjoy or love. Tis the season after all, right? Now, here’s to a new week! Let's make it a good one.

Monday Motivation

The time change sucks. There. I said it. As a teenager, I loved when DST ended and it got dark around 6:30 p.m. That meant I got to go out and party a little earlier. However, once I became an adult, and then a mom, it really put a funk in my routine. Pair it with seasonal depression* and you have a recipe for some pretty low times (read: months). Where before I’d throw a bandaid over it with a crap ton of caffeine - my current dietary restrictions do not allow me to have energy drinks yet. So, I’m trying to figure out how to push through/manage it without stimulants. And let me just say, that it has not been easy.

All of that said, it’s November, y’all. It’s a new month! We’re so close to the end of 2023, but it also feels like we just got started. The change in foliage has been beautiful, and the cooler weather has been nice too. Hallmark Christmas movies are in full swing. We’re ironing out plans for Thanksgiving, and I’m so ready to have time off for the holidays. Here’s hoping you have a great Monday and an even more wonderful November!

*Not officially diagnosed with seasonal depression, this is just based on my observation over the years of when my depression gets the worst for me. 

Here's to 36

This past Saturday was my birthday. Your girl turned 36! It started out with an early morning run - joining some pretty funny women. It included being able to attend a parade, a new ink addition, a 2-hour long nap, and A LOT of "bad food." But most importantly - I had chocolate cake. The aftermath of this included a severe stomachache, a blemish breakout on my face, constipation, and bloating that still hasn't gone away. But it was SO WORTH IT!🎂

I spent the day with some of my favorite people. I did something I really enjoyed. I took some time for myself. And I counted my blessings. As I've gotten older, I feel like that's what I want to focus on each year - giving thanks. Telling God, "Thank you" for letting me be here. Being present with those I care about. And fitting in some much-needed rest. Obviously, eating some junk food, carbs, and chocolate doesn't hurt - or it kind of does but I'll take one for the team. So, here's to another year! Here's to new goals and achievements. To failures and lessons. To new opportunities and growth. Here's to 36!

Monday Motivation

It’s a new week and a new month! My favorite month. My birthday month. And my favorite season of the year truly begins. September came with a lot more activity than I expected. From work to Emery’s after-school activities. There were even two weeks that I was only able to run on Saturdays - which really threw me off. It was also the toughest month of my healthy eating plan. It was when the cravings really kicked in. When the headaches and exhaustion really hit me. When the depression and bitterness really took hold. But now, we are starting fresh! And I’m feeling much better. So, today, I’m wishing you all a very Happy Monday! And HAPPY OCTOBER, y’all!! Let the Spooky Season begin.

2023

Hey, 2023! Our new year started out by sleeping in. We also didn't make it to midnight as so many of you did. Instead, we were in bed by 11:30 p.m. on New Year's Eve - ASMR quietly playing in the background. Emery was super disappointed at how "uncool" we were because we had no actual plans or parties to attend. And she made it known. The day had already started out so early for us that making plans just wasn't on our radar. 

New Year's Eve started out with a Resolution Run that the run club had put on. So, I was up at 5:30 a.m. We had some coffee, had great conversations, and discussed goals for the new year. This was quickly followed up with some last-minute shopping. We had family time and a lot of cooking. I cleaned up a bit, and then we had a birthday party for a relative that kept us out until 10:30 p.m. So, making it to 11:30 p.m. on NYE before quickly falling asleep as our heads hit the pillow was a win! And totally close enough if you ask me. 

New Years' day was spent with family in the morning and then chores in the afternoon. Corey had a tournament so he was up at 4 a.m. and out all day. As I was making my way through our last few loads of laundry, I also took the time to export all of my 2022 pictures to my external hard drive. There's something really refreshing about wiping the slate, or in this case photo app, clean. And then it was off for a short run, just to start the New Year on the right foot. And after typing all of this out - I can see how the "boring" label is deserving. A little sad, but you know, I'm pretty much over parties these days. 

Anyway, I plan on writing a bit more about our Christmas break. Very little of what we had planned actually worked out, but that's okay. It was still a really nice little break. There are a few updates on the job front I'll talk about later too. For now, I just wanted to hop on and say Happy New Year! Until the next post, ✌🏽.