This has been quite a long week for me. 🕔🕙
Finally returned to work (virtually) after being off more than two weeks and I am super proud I didn’t let myself work outside of work hours or become overwhelmed. 👏🏽
Excited about starting my Pinterest business page which has already made more impressions than I thought I could get. 🥳
I am also proud to have found motivation to work out every day. Thank you to @masterconsistency for the push on Tuesday! 💪🏽
Happy Friday! 💮
Checking in as I finish my November Gratitude Challenge…
At the beginning of November, I randomly came across the November Gratitude Challenge → http://www.gratitudechallenge.com/downloads/gratitude-calendar.pdf. I looked at it, printed, and put it in my planner. I did not really think much of it, I just thought I will get to it when I have time. Not only did I not intentionally make time for it but it was in my planner for a week before I even took another look at it.
I am really glad that I sat down one day and began to read it. It is a very reflective challenge and I encourage everyone to try it, it definitely does not have to be month specific. You could even try to do some of the items on the list in a week span.
Why was it great? Well self-reflection or any reflection for that matter is a good thing. It requires being still for a moment and doing some deep thinking. I don’t really set time aside for myself but this challenge really helped me to make that time that we all need. Some days I would get backed up with the daily tasks but I made it my responsibility to catch up. Some of my favorite ones were thanking some negative things in my life, sending thank you notes to five people who deserve recognition, and standing in front of a mirror and focusing on 5 things you love about yourself.
Such simple sentiments yet not on my daily to do list. Never would I think about thanking the negatives in my life, most times you end up dreading them or letting them stress you out but I literally thanked my negatives out loud and it made feel a sense of relief. Sending thank you notes was my ultimate fave as it required recognizing some close ones that I may not always speak with. It made for a great entry to catch up and acknowledge them. Looking in the mirror is something I do daily but rarely do I ever focus on things I love. Often times, I think about how my hair looks, how I don’t like my outfit, and how I want new glasses like yesterday. This was a bit more challenging for me but so worth it. It gave me a boost of confidence and just what I needed as the end of the year is nearing.
I am feeling extremely grateful for the amazing things happening in my life today. I am also thankful for the not so great things I have faced to get me here. All of it keeps shaping me and influencing to keep on going. I am more determined than I have felt all year and I want to share that with all of you. If you are going through a tough time, struggling with life, or just feeling down, take a look at yourself and what is around and just start thanking each and every bit of it. Struggles eventually run their course and if you stay positive and always keep a bigger goal/picture in mind, you will come out on top!
Hi All,
I am feeling a bit nostalgic today so I wanted to share some thoughts. At the end of 2017, I took a very crazy leap of faith and accepted a new position. Why was it crazy, you ask? Well because it required a significant pay cut and leaving a job after 4 years (my longest job).
I had decided earlier in that year that I would return to grad school and get a degree to work in higher education. I knew it would not be easy and I knew it would require sacrifice. I went through so many situations since making the switch and they were not easy.
Many don’t know but I had interviewed at other schools but was never offered a position. But I did not become discouraged! I knew I wanted to do more with my life. I wanted to make an impact on people’s lives.
I was fortunate to have started my higher education career at the beginning of 2018. Since then I have moved on to a different institution and feel beyond excited for the new opportunity. I am fortunate to be working with a great team and cannot wait to see what the rest of this school year brings for me.
Hi All,
So last weekend, I went on a quick weekend getaway to Jamaica. It was much needed and made me realize that I have seriously been lacking in taking care of myself! It is crazy when you become so caught up with work, kids, chores, errands, and you forget about taking care of the SELF!!
Throughout my coursework these past two years, we focused on the importance of self-care and how people in the counseling profession need to care for self first. I definitely get an F on that! But today, I decided to write about it as a way to hold myself accountable.
In the past few months since my son was born I lost weight and gained weight. I am NOT where I want to be today in regards to my health or weight at all. This definitely takes a toll on my self-confidence but I know I can change it! This past week I have been eating better and eliminating snacks that are unnecessary calories. I managed to work out three times and hope to do it more often or for longer sessions.
Throughout the next few weeks, I am hoping to stick to these lifestyle changes I am making yet again! I will let you all in on my journey to being healthier and slimming down!
I was actually inspired to write this after a conversation I had with my friend earlier today. She was upset about her “best friend” and a little falling out they had. Listening to her story, it really sounded like the friendship with her so-called best friend was really just a one way relationship.
So what does this mean? It’s a one way street, where everything just goes in one direction. In a one way friendship, it means one person is on the receiving end and the other gets nothing in return. For example, you have a bad day, you know you can call me. You need money to borrow, I can lend it if I have it. You need a ride, someone to help you change a flat, I’m there even if it means bringing someone with me to change that tire that I definitely wouldn’t know how to change lol. BUT…when I call you for help or a listening ear, I get no response or an excuse. I need someone to take me to do an errand, you make an excuse. This is not an equal friendship!! It’s really terrible to be honest especially when you realize it is happening. It is very difficult to accept when you consider this person a true best friend. It is HURTFUL!!!
So what can you do? Well how I see it you can do one of two things…You can talk to that person and explain your feelings to them and how the situation can be mended OR you can simply tell that person that you have grown past the friendship and move on. It sounds simple, YES! But easy to implement…probably not but definitely not impossible.
Once you realize how much you love yourself, you won’t put up with that type of friendship. You will notice who truly values you and learn to truly embrace those people. Believe it or not sometimes the most toxic relationships are ones you don’t even notice and are with those you consider the closest to you.
No time for negativity!
Embrace the positive!!
Love those who love you!!!
Set standards and accept nothing less!!!!
Marce's View 