If you haven’t heard...we’re moving to Alaska!
This has been a lifelong dream of Brandon’s (read a little about it here). We decided, for many reasons, it was time to make that dream happen. We’ve been asked a lot here lately if we’re excited. The answer is yes...underneath the crazy running around like chickens with our heads cut off kind of stress that comes with everything that has to be done in order for this move to go as smoothly as possible.
I’ve moved A LOT in my lifetime. But this is the biggest move I’ve made as an adult. For Brandon, it’s the first real move he’s ever made. So it’s a new kind of adventure for us both. But let me tell you what that looks like. (In the event you one day want to make a crazy dream fulfilling move of your own.)
The to-do list is HUGE!
Ferry tickets secured early on. Chiropractor appointments (with dry needling for me) before we leave, eye appointment for myself so I have fresh contacts (to say I was wearing old contacts is an understatement). Health checks for the dogs (needed for the ferry trip, which I’ll address later). Vehicles checked to make sure they’re ready for the long trip. Camper prepped to be used along the way, and possibly lived in the first few weeks after arriving to AK.
But wait, there’s more!
Have you ever tried getting a job from so far away? Oh my goodness! I had no idea. Of course there’s the applying and interviewing (via Zoom or phone call). Brandon has had to send packets off via priority mail due to fear of things not all transferring correctly electronically. I’m currently in the process of doing all the preliminary stuff (fingerprints, tb test, drug screening) in CO and then sending them off (except the drug screening, that’s been taken care of on my employer’s end) via priority mail so that I can begin work ASAP after arriving.
I haven’t even mentioned the fact that we all need negative covid tests within 72 hours of boarding the ferry, and that I need a second one after arriving in AK before beginning work. Which makes seeing family and friends right up to our driving out difficult. We can’t chance positive tests.
Oh, and all the packing. Yeah, we’ve got all of that too. And some other stuff I’m sure I forgot to mention.
Y’all it’s crazy! It’s an adventure! And we’re 100% up for it! Now let’s get this show on the road!
I promise I’ll write more soon and give more detail on things like the ferry and all that good stuff. But I’ll leave it at this for the time being. I kinda need to get back to the packing.
I’d love to hear if you want to know more about anything specifically. Like I said, our heads are spinning at the moment with all there is to do! But I’m excited to share as much as I can with you all about this new chapter of life!
I’ve never been great at weekly meal prep. I try to make out our dinner menus for the week but that’s about it. Actually prepping as in cutting veggies, cooking for lunches for the week, things like that...yeah, not really my thing.
But breakfast works better for me if I have some done up ahead of time. Like overnight oats or these egg muffins.
I’ll be adding more variety over time. So be sure to come back often and check. Or better yet...subscribe to my email list and I’ll be sure you have it in your inbox when it happens!
I’m a true believer that whether you believe you can or you can’t, you’re right.
I apply this to all aspects of life. Our minds believe everything we tell them. Have you ever noticed that some people seem to get ahead more easily, or always seem happier or healthier in spite of any obstacles or limitations that may seem to exist for them? Or found yourself surprised that someone isn’t as fit, happy, or successful as you would expect?
Ever wonder why that is? It ultimately comes down to mindset.
I’ve been told more than once I don’t fit the mold of a person living with fibromyalgia. I live a fairly normal and active lifestyle. It’s because I made that choice right from the start. I decided when I was first diagnosed with fibromyalgia, at the age of 19, that I wouldn’t let it stop me. I continued with that mindset after a freak fall and hip injury in February 2018. It doesn’t mean it’s always easy. I have my days of frustration. But I refuse to let it keep me down. I refuse to let these things dictate my life for me.
I have fibromyalgia. It does not have me.
See how that works? If you decide limitations and obstacles in life own you, you’re right. Your mind will give up looking for solutions. Your body will stop working to its fullest potential. You’ll end up feeling defeated. Because you told yourself in the beginning that you were.
I’ll say it again. Our minds believe everything we tell them. Make sure you’re filling yours with all things good and hopeful, and reminding yourself that you’re ultimately in charge.
This doesn’t mean it will always be easy (I mentioned that above). It doesn’t mean your body will always respond and do 100% of the things you want it to do. But it does mean that you’ll learn to listen. You’ll learn that your limitations are not what defines you. You’ll learn what your body is truly capable of. And you’ll learn that you’re winning at life. Because you are in control.
Motivation. We’ve all struggled with it, right? And if you’re like me, 2020 has made it especially hard to find motivation and keep it.
I recently asked in my free online group for fibro warriors what the biggest struggle was when it comes to managing health. Motivation was a big one! It can be hard to want to do much when you’re body aches and you can’t think clearly. Making changes, even if for the better, can feel so overwhelming and like too much work. I get it!
So, I thought I’d offer a few tips. Word to the wise though...motivation only works when you put the work in. It’s not always going to be easy, but it will be worth it. But let me see if I can take a little of the work and overwhelm out of it for you.
A few things you can do to get and stay motivated.
Find your why. Why do you want to get and stay healthy? Make a list and keep it where you’ll see it daily. If you don’t know why you want to take the steps to improve your health, motivation is definitely not going to be there.
Dig out an outfit you want to fit into but can’t. Don’t have one? Buy one. Seriously. I’m not saying it will work on its own, but it will help you keep focus on the direction you want to go. So, give it a try.
That being said...take baby steps. Don’t go crazy and dig out (or buy) something 5 times too small. Even if that’s your goal. Make small goals that will eventually lead you to that big goal. Same goes for nutrition. Don’t jump in all at once. Cut out soda first. Then creamer in your coffee. Move onto cutting out all added sugars and processed foods. You get the idea. Baby steps.
Ask yourself who needs you at your best. Who will benefit from you living a healthier life? I read a book earlier this year, High Performance Habits. The author suggests placing a post-it note with the question, “Who needs me on my A game right now?” where you’ll see it daily. I’m going to say there’s a good reason for him making this suggestion. Maybe give it a try. It just might help.
Keep focus on your end goal. How do you feel now vs how you want to feel? This will kind of tie your why and your goal together. Stay focused. Take the steps to get there in small chunks. And know that if you don’t give up, you’ll reach that end goal.
Know you’re not alone. Find a support group or person. Accountability and encouragement from those you know truly have your best interest at heart goes a long way. You’re welcome to join my free grouphere.
Have more motivation tips to add? I’d love to hear ‘em!
30 days of thankfulness. It’s something I’ve done every November for the last 10 years or so. I’ve always believed in leading with a thankful heart. I’ve always believed that there is always something to be thankful for. I believe it’s more important now than ever to be able to find the good in every day.
2020 has been a year for the books for sure. Depression and anxiety have been on the rise. Not surprising. People have lost jobs, become sick with an illness that no one seems to understand, been kept from loved ones and, in some cases, lost loved ones. Finding the good can be extra hard in times like this.
But it’s so so important that we do. The negative is staring us in the face this year. It’s everywhere we look. But what if we shifted our minds to find the good? Whatever it may be.
The blue sky. The sunshine. The beautiful snowfall. Being able to spend more time with our loved ones at home. The fact that our pets love having us home more. Time to finally get a workout in. Our favorite ice cream. That cup of coffee. The online support group we may not have otherwise found.
You guys, there is so so much to be thankful for. The big and small things. Learn to look for those things and appreciate them on a daily basis. You’ll find you’re thankful you did (see, another thing to add to the list).
I invite you to join me this year in 30 days of thankfulness. (Even if you’re jumping in after the first. It’s never too late!) And then carry this mindset through the rest of the year and into the next.
The negative things will be pointed out to you enough. There’s no need to spend time focusing on them and finding your own negativity to add to it. So, let’s do this! Let’s fill our minds with all the good things!
Need a little help in resetting your mindset? Check out my free group here for a 3 week mindset challenge.
