Reflections, Resources, and Real Talk for Your Journey

I’ve never been a new year’s resolution kind of person. If I’m going to set a goal, I’m going to set a goal. No matter what time of year it is. And research has shown that the majority of those who do set resolutions for the new year, rarely stick with them.

I am however a word of the year kind of girl. I like having a word as a theme or focus for my year. I’ve done this the last couple years or so. And while I may not consciously think about my word every day, it seems to find its way into my life regularly.

I tend to start thinking about my word Novemberish. I look for clues and let thoughts run through my mind to see if anything stands out. I turned several over in my mind the last couple months. I even did a 5 day exercise to help me find my word. And I really enjoyed the process (you can find it here). It brought up words like successful, confidence, unwavering (I really liked that one), brave, and a few others. I almost settled on focus.

But that’s not how I found my word. My words found me. Yep, words. Two of them. Flow and trust. Different times, different situations. But they both showed up and wouldn’t leave me alone. So I’m letting them both stay.

I have no doubt I need both in my life. I need them to be ever present. I need to learn how to trust myself again. I’ve come to understand that I haven’t truly done so in years. Years of making bad decisions instead of going with your gut instinct and allowing those bad decisions to influence how you think and feel about yourself will do that. 

As for flow…it just brings me peace of mind. Not in a go with the flow as if you have no control kind of way. But in an “I’m going to let things flow naturally” kind of way. I’m ready to let my ideas, creativity and authenticity flow. I’m ready to stop questioning and worrying about what others think and let things be as they should. Let me be as I should. 

Here’s to 2022 and letting my words show up. I’m trusting the flow.

Oooh, what a year 2021 has been! 

I initially chose fearless for my word. I should have chosen adventure or change. Because that was certainly the theme of the year! But I suppose fearless doesn’t necessarily mean without fear, as much as it means less fear, right? So maybe it was the right word after all. 🤔 

I’m any case, it was a year for the books! A cross country move, that took way more time and adjusting than I ever imagined. Not that that’s a bad thing. It just commanded a lot of my attention and put some other things on hold. I’m not complaining about it at all. I’d do it all over again. (You can read more about our move in my last 3 blogs.)

We began planning our move from Colorado to Alaska in January. Packed up and headed out end of March. Hit Alaskan ground first of April. I started a job, we moved into an apartment, Brandon started his job in June. A job that would have him commute by plane on a two week rotational schedule. 

Talk about change and adventure! 

Of course we made sure to spend some of our long summer days exploring Alaska, and made sure to make some of those explorations happen with my girls and son-in-law. 

I then left my job as a case manager and went back to work for schools. Two weeks later covid paid us a visit. Here we are two months later and it’s still holding on to some extent. It realllly likes me! 

Still though, life is good. We’re finally settling into what life here means for us and working hard to make our dreams and goals come true. I’ve made some amazing friends, who it somehow feels have always been a part of my life. I feel like Alaska has always been home, even though it’s insanely cold right now and my fibromyalgia body doesn’t appreciate it much. But at this point in life I wouldn’t be anywhere else. 

Thank goodness change and adventure are my comfort zone! 2021 has been a wild ride! I can’t wait to see what 2022 holds!!

I’ve moved a lot in my life. Like averaged a move about every 2 years. Lived in 12 (13 now) states and another country. But this is the first big move I’ve made in my adult life. And I’ve learned a few things along the way. So thought I’d share. 

1. Pulling a 12 ft, fully loaded trailer does not make my H3 happy. It was a struggle! Going the speed limit now without the load is a little weird. I sometimes forget it's even an option.
2. A 2 week long move is long! But with the right people, it's actually fun.
3. Speaking of the right people...we all still like each other! Like we actually still enjoy each others company.
4. Montana is BEAUTIFUL! It's definitely top of my list.
5. I get sea sick. I had no clue. I've been on ferries before but only short day trips. Not a 4 1/2 day trip. I quickly learned if you get car sick, chances are pretty good you also get sea sick. And it sucks!
6. 4 1/2 days on a ferry automatically bonds you to others living those days with you. I'm pretty sure we made life-long friends on that journey. And I can't wait to see their experiences in other parts of this amazing state!
7. 15 minutes isn't very long when you have 2 dogs to tend to. However, once you get it down it somehow becomes plenty of time. Except when it comes to actually having time to cuddle and love on your fur babies. Having to be separated from them isn't easy. (Oh and that same 15 minutes is an eternity that you may or may not make if you're dealing with sea sickness.)
8. Frost heaves are a thing. A thing that can wreck your vehicle and break everything you've packed. Look them up. All I can say is that driving over them at 50 mph is horrible! Especially when you're carrying a load behind you.
9. It takes time for your body to realize it's no longer on a boat. Today is day 2 and I still have moments I feel the boat rocking.
10. Camper life isn't for the weak! Little room. Not a lot of space for fresh veggies and meat. Cooking healthy meals isn't as easy as I thought it'd be. And you have to really like the people sharing that tiny little space with you.
11. It's all been well worth it! We may have just arrived, but I have no doubt this is my state. And I can't wait to get out and start exploring! Now if the snow and ice could kindly melt away and not leave an insanely huge muddy mess, that would be lovely. (I'm asking too much, I know. But it's worth a try, right?)

I’ll share our ferry experience in more detail soon! 

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.