A few weeks ago I bumped into my nutritionist from several years back (when I went Keto to improve my health, primarily my struggle with migraines) which resulted in grabbing a cup of coffee and getting caught up, which also resulted in a three hour conversation. I hadn’t seen her since before my 2021/2022 health issues and my taking early retirement in 2022 and in that time she had married her fiancé, become a stepmother and had a baby so we had a lot to talk about. Because of that conversation I was able to come up with my word for 2026. Focus.
This word is the perfect one to describe my plans and goals in the upcoming year. I want to focus on health, quality of life and my overall wellbeing. I am committing to being a little bit selfish in the process as well. In talking with my therapist about this she encouraged me to really focus on putting myself first and challenged me to relax and truly enjoy my life. Deal!
Admittedly, I tend to put the needs and wants of other people ahead of my own, but in the past year I have made great strides to overcome that tendency. I’m saying “no” and “no thank you” more often to things I don’t want to do or don’t serve me. Moving forward I want to focus more on breaking away from that tendency put others first even more and really become my own person the way I have always hoped and dreamed I some day would be.
By focusing on my needs and wants (guilt free) I will be able to do so much to improve my quality of life and by doing that I feel it will dramatically affect my health in a positive way. I also feel it will make me a better person in the long run. I am counting on my circle of friends, and that includes you, to hold me to it. I also encourage you to do the same. Let’s really focus on ourselves a bit more in the coming year and see how that goes. I can only imagine that by this time next year we will be amazed at the change we see. I bet we’ll be even more enjoyable to be around. What do you think?
I think it sounds like a good, sensible idea! I think raising children entrenches one in focusing outward, towards others, because we've had to do it 24x7 for so many years.
ReplyDeleteMy kids are grown, too. It's time for me to direct that nurturing, supportive gaze inwards!
You are so right about that. Mothering is a selfless act. Now it is our turn!
DeleteI meet with a therapist regularly and this is Topic #1. Along with self-care I am thinking every day about what I want to do. For so long I made my self smaller and worked "behind the scenes" in my family. That allowed the kids to shine, but put me in the shadows. I'm proud of the job I did as Mom, but now its time to focus on Gina and what she wants! It was hard to start, but once I got going it seemed to flow naturally. (:
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you! :)
DeleteGreat word for 2026. We all were taught to think of others when we were younger. Now I have to really work at putting myself first. Maybe it is a generational thing?
ReplyDeletebarb
I think it is too. And that focusing on ourselves was somehow being selfish. It is definitely not selfish.
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