Happy New Year!
I hope that all of you had a safe and fun New Year’s Eve. It’s that time of year when we think about what we’ve accomplished, haven’t accomplished, and thinking of dreams for the future. So, I would like to begin this post with the following question
What’s Stopping You?
What stopping you from living the life that you want to live? I’m not talking about money. Because money will come to those who work hard. Are you afraid of change? Are you afraid of risk? Are you a little… rigid about how you live your life?
Some examples of what I mean:
- Super attached to the same hair style and color-umm, won’t it grow back and aren’t there extensions if you jack it up?
- Working at the same place because looking for a new job is scary and you’ve worked with your organization and colleagues for years.
- Have never lived in another town…even for 1 month.
- Would rather stay home and watch your favorite show then drag yourself to a Meetup even though you’re lonely.
- Love the place you live in but won’t move out even though it would save you money?
- You’ve been seeing the same person for years. You want to get married and have kids-but they don’t..so you stay with them hoping that they may change their mind.
I’m Going To Tell You A Secret
Your rigidity is getting in the way of you changing your life. The harder you hold onto situations/people/or mindsets that keep you stuck, the further away you will be from getting what you want in life.
I learned this the hard way. And what I was holding onto was my job. I wanted security, I enjoyed the clients that I worked with, and my colleagues were (are) my friends. But, as I spent the last couple of years purging negativity from my life, practicing gratitude, crafting my Art of Intentional Spending, and working with my .25 Life Coach I discovered what I was profoundly, mind-numbingly stuck. And the longer I stayed stuck the harder it was to stay positive and believe that what I wanted for myself was possible.
So, I Left My Job of Almost 11 Years in Mid December and Am On An Epic Trip.
And that’s the subject of another blog post that I have scheduled for Monday, January 12. 2015. I’ll tell you everything then.
I understand why people hold onto situations so there is no judgement coming from me to you. I want to say that I understand and that you have me in your corner. Take baby steps. If you’re afraid to change your hair get a lace front wig and rock it! You can check out Youtube videos on how to do this well. If you’ve never traveled far from home…or outside of your state/province/village schedule a trip to a city with a person that you know and stay with them. You will feel more at ease hanging out with a friend and also get to experience something new. Go to a Meetup at least once a month (even though I would recommend going at least 3 times as the groups change each time.)
Take your vacation time! This one is key. Even if you don’t go anywhere. Take a long weekend with the intention of recharging your batteries and giving yourself time to think clearly about your situation. If you have little ones leave them their dad/mom or with a safe and trusted friend/relative in a barter situation (offer to cook or clean their home later).
Chronic Sleep Deprivation
Focus on sleep. The first three weeks of my trip I found myself sleeping like a narcoleptic-am being serious. I would just get tired and doze off within minutes. I knew that I was dealing with exhaustion before I left for my trip and I would say that I was tired every single day…probably because of my 4 hours a day commuting hell, full-time job, and full-time blogging.
In fact, I was so tired that I was unable to do anything well such as: being a good friend, daughter, colleague, potential girlfriend, etc. And multi-tasking was a nightmare. I was absolutely exhausted. I want to thank: my old colleagues, Cat, and some of my new clients for sticking with me because I was not performing at the level that I normally like to perform at as I was so tired.
I have already experienced a huge difference in my mental clarity, memory, and energy levels from sleeping regularly and getting up naturally. In fact, I cannot believe how much sleep deprivation was affecting my quality of life and job performance.
Going into 2015 I am focusing on the following areas that are important to me and that I felt I haven’t been able to focus on for a number of years.
- Health: regular exercise, eating well, and getting sleep
- Time: Using time efficiently, NO RUSHING, and taking the time to do things well
- People: I love people! I want to spend more time with my mom/grandma/friends/ and organizations that I believe in and activities that I enjoy
- Money: This year is a focus on debt year. I want to make money and pay off debt. That simple.
- Travel: That’s a different post, but the emphasis is on spending as little money as possible when traveling
- Fun: I love having fun and Denver/Boulder have so many FREE things to do. I can’t wait to do them all.
My word for this year is SHINE. The longer I stayed in a situation that wasn’t serving me well the more my “Shine” began to dull.
There are some big changes coming and I am looking forward to sharing them with you.
Shine, people, shine!
Michelle
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Congrats for your chocihe, I whish you’ll achieve every goals you have!!!
Thank you!! I really appreciate your support. Will be working hard in 2015.
Happy New Shine Year!
it looks like things really have changed for you recently. Looking forward to reading about your this epic trip and job departure.
Also, thanks for your comment on my site Michelle 😉 It’s not often I see them that quickly.
A lot of stuff is happening. Will update you guys soon 🙂 Am still giving you a hard time-aren’t you supposed to be on a break? LOL!
I love this post Michelle for I am so there with you. I have just made the radical decision to retire from the military earlier than permitted and plan on moving to London just because its my dream. Right now my body is acting a fool and I know its because of the years of stress and lack of sleep and nutrition that is effecting my health. Regardless I still have a young daughter to raise and I plan on staying young, mentally stable, and sexy while doing it. This post only validated what I have been feeling and by the way….I’m already rocking the hell out of a fly lacefront weave.
Thanks Petrish! I think sometimes we get in our own way. I am so excited to read about your adventure! My bestie is English and lived in London for 11 years. I am excited to read about why London is calling you (pun intended ) I was under so much stress in my previous field. Even thinking about it stresses me out. My hair fell out, I gained 30 pounds, and it killed my social life. There is more than one way to approach life and so I am looking forward to trying something new. And yes, my hair is growing back-but I’m rocking a lacefront too! We deserve to be happy and feel good while living our lives. Take care of yourself-and get lots of sleep. I feel amazing.
Congratulations! That’s wonderful. I’m a huge fan of making big dramatic life changes in order to feel more like *yourself*.
I feel so much better!! I was also becoming very, very depressed. I was really becoming worried about the depression so I had to do something. I already feel so much better. This change was a long time coming.
Whoo Hooo! What a big year you have ahead! Oh man sleep is so fricken important to me now, but the trouble is sometimes even though I go to bed and carve myself out a solid 8, I sometimes still toss and turn. Grrr, even though I do everything “right.” Anyway, I’m glad you are catching up with your rest and made such a bold move with your life. Nothing but the best for you my friend!
Trust me Tonya, I am not tossing and turning-I sleep like a rock! As you know I grappled with this decision for a long time…but I do feel like I made the right decision. We’ll see what happens.
Wow! What an adventure. I can’t wait to hear more.
I also left my job in August and I don’t regret it one bit. I was stuck, and now I’m finally moving forward.
I was so stuck it pains me to think about it. Uggh. Congratulations to you on changing your direction. It is a very intense (and freeing) process.
I feel you on the narcoleptic comment, I commonly fall asleep before the theme song of my fave TV show comes on (that’s when I even take time to watch a little TV, most times I don’t).
I’ve heard that Americans are very sleep deprived. Given the type of schedule I’ve had it’s not a surprise. Thankfully I wasn’t operating heavy machinery.
Best of luck in 2015! Congrats on taking action! 🙂
Thanks Brian! I’ll need the luck LOL!
Good for you! I personally love change, bucking conformity and facing fear. I find being too comfortable, can actually make me uncomfortable… i.e. restless.
I was feeling pretty good about things, then there was just a moment when it changed and I started to REALLY FREAK OUT! And I had to get out of there. Am so glad that I did.
Great post! I especially like “no rushing”! I try to always practice this myself. Congratulations on leaving your job! I bet that took a lot of courage. I hope you’re enjoying your travels. I can’t wait to hear about where you are!
I was always rushing and not getting anywhere fast. I hated that. It was very, very scary making the decision. Then, once I made the decision it wasn’t scary anymore. It was the right thing for me. I’m having a lot of fun 🙂 Will let you guys know what’s going on January 12th 🙂
Congratulations! It must feel like a huge weight off your shoulders when you made that move to become unstuck! all the best in this new SHINE year!
I didn’t realize how “light” I would feel until I walked out that door. I was done.
Glad you’re back, Michelle! I’m really looking forward to hearing about this trip!
Thanks! I’m having a lot of fun and getting some long needed rest.
Welcome back. Shine on – I’m with you. Quitting your job and venturing out into new waters can be scary, but opens you up to realize your full potential. Go with God and live an abundant life! Super excited to follow along on your journey!
Thanks Toni! It is scary, but staying was much scarier and I was at a make or break point in several aspects of my life. I appreciate your support so much! Happy New Year 🙂
Michelle, Happy New Year! I believe sometimes we have to take a risk and see what happens. That makes life extra challenging and see our potentials.
It has been a really longtime since I’ve taken a risk as big as this one. I will either sink or swim. But, I think that I’m up for it…especially now that I’m well rested.
Great job on taking a risk. Hopefully it will all work out!! Happy 2015.
Let’s just say that the other situation was getting so bad for me on a personal level that taking a risk this big is worth it. Now-I have to HUSTLE.
I’m so glad you were able to get leave a job that was holding you back. I feel that fear of change and failure would probably hold me back from improving my life. I also agree that doing a simple staycation and getting the proper rest is extremely importance since I also suffer from sleep deprivation from doing so much stuff on a day-to-day basis. Nowadays I just do what I can get to throughout the day and get some much needed rest when I need it.
I was at a make or break point: mentally, physically, and professionally. I just couldn’t do it anymore and already I’m feeling a lot better about life in general. What was really helpful was taking the breaks. I wasn’t really taking staycations..I was literally taking several 3 day weekends every 4 to 5 weeks in addition to holidays. Or, piggybacking on already existing holidays. I just needed time to myself to rest and think. Once I got that time it really helped me figure out: What was missing in my life that I wanted to have in my life, what wasn’t important, what was important, and formulate a plan to move forward. Sending you good vibes for 2015!! Focus on your sleep-it’s the key to everything.
Congrats Michelle! Happy 2015. I can’t wait to hear more about the job you left.
Thanks Michelle! I feel a lot better! Will talk briefly about the job in about a week.
Happy new year, Michelle!
I love your spirit and your confidence and I think that you will “Shine” your way through a fabulous 2015.
Thanks for your support! I am hoping to rock 2015!
So happy for you! I know for about a month after leaving my job I was constantly tired and always taking naps. I felt like something was wrong. And there was! I was chronically sleep deprived. After a month of healing, I now focus on my energy and getting adequate rest. It’s been life-changing. Enjoy your trip, girl. You were missed. 🙂
Thanks Melanie! Now that I’ve gotten the most rest that I’ve had in years I understand how poorly I was functioning. I’m glad that I’m not the only person who experienced this. I just couldn’t get enough sleep. Because of this experience when I’m a mom I will send the kids to the Grandparent’s house to get some rest once a week. I’m being serious. The amount of energy (and clarity) that I have is unbelievable. Missed you guys too!! Am having fun.
I can’t wait to hear more about your trip!! Welcome back 🙂
It’s going well, will share in a week!
Awesome things to focus in on this year Michelle! I love that you pick a word for the year. It’s funny because today in church I was thinking of the exact same thing. How I want this year to be consistently characterized by joy and making sure that that would be my big focus.
Congrats on being brave and leaving your job. Best of luck this year in your endeavors! 🙂
I just spent too much time focusing on what wasn’t working well for the past few years. I really don’t want to waste my energy in that way anymore and I’m aware that I am very blessed but I have to have an “attitude of gratitude.” It’s going to be an intense year but, I think a good one!
I’m late to the party but I am so excited about the big reveal! 🙂 I am so happy for you Michelle and you know I’m in your corner 100% as you experience this new chapter in your life. Let it be a rich and fulfilling one.
Thanks Kassandra! I truly appreciate your support (and you!) Will be working hard to make things happen. I have faith.
This is so amazing and I’m so happy for you! I realized that I have been feeling pretty stuck for at least the past year if not more and I’m trying to figure out how to deal with it. The changes you’ve been working on for the past year have been a huge inspiration. I really look forward to hearing more about your exciting new journey!
I’ve spent a lot of time working on what’s going on in my head. It’s amazing how being stuck can actually really change how you think about yourself. I made a number of mistakes in the fall professionally because of the exhaustion and I will be writing a post about that soon. This is all a huge risk but what’s life without risk? Mind-numbingly sad and mundane.
Whoa congrats girl! You are so brave to take the leap and I wish you well in 2015! Can’t wait to read more about your adventures!
Thans Lisa! If I could’t take a leap of faith in myself, who else would?