Reflections, Resources, and Real Talk for Your Journey

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.

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.

1. 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.

2. 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. 

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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!