Dedication takes Sacrifice

 Next year, I would like to see more dedication in the following areas of my life: 

- more journaling

- more healthy choices

- more time in the Word

- more organization

- more reading

Let's start from the top, shall we?

More Journaling

I started journaling big time once I started therapy 3 years ago. I thought it was a bunch of BS, that it wouldn't help, and actually wrote it off for a long time. Once I committed to getting better mentally and emotionally, I hardly missed a day of writing. People think journaling is a "dear diary" act, and I am here to tell you that THAT is bullshit.

Writing out our inner most thoughts helps us PROCESS them, which is why it's so important. I was having a very difficult time processing anything before I started therapy. Once I started to write it all out, knowing no one else would read it, and got HONEST with myself, I started to heal so much.

When everything went south this summer, I lost my routine. Part of that routine was writing in my journal every single day. I would block off time every day and just write. Whatever came. Losing that has actually scrambled my brain a bit. Not making time for that outlet has actually done more hurt than help. So next year, I am dedicating at least 30 minutes a day to write in the journal. 

More Healthy Choices

This ties in perfectly with my post from the other day. Making healthier choices will require discipline, but also grace. I am not going to get my meals right every single day, I am going to struggle during workouts, but staying consistent in these behaviors will only bring me success. I have fallen into this routine where I don't care about what I eat, and end up skipping workouts for weeks. Next year, I am dedicating time to workout in accordance with my new program, and setting aside a day for meal prep every week! 

I am also going to make healthy choices outside of health and fitness. I will no longer partake in gossip (don't even try to tell me any), negative energies, fake friends, or misery. These things simply suck every ounce of energy I have out of me, and replenishing from that mess is near impossible (believe me, I lived that way for a very long time). Being more aware of who I spend my time with and where my energy goes will take some time to heal, but once I am there, I bet everything else will fall into place.

More time in the Word

I spoke with a very dear friend yesterday about this and she is IN! I came across this 52 week bible study for women - and wanted to do it with a buddy - that way I am more likely to do it. My mother gifted me a beautiful study bible for my birthday, and I want to love on it all year long. I used to play the "tell me what I need to hear" game and just open my old bible up. Wherever I landed is what I thought I needed to hear. It wasn't a sustainable approach for me, and quite honestly, I want to really understand the Bible. 

Having a buddy to do this study with will be so helpful. She has been SO supportive and invested when it comes to helping me out, and I think connecting through this study will bring us closer together. I would never become super preachy - that is not my style. But I will spend more time growing closer to God, and doing it with a friend will make it all the more special.

Dedicating time daily to sit with the Word will absolutely bring joy and gratitude (which we all know is important!), opening my heart to whatever it needs to be open to.

More organization

I am becoming first lady of the NH Shriners organization in THREE days. I need to be sure I have my life in order - and can keep all our events and engagements in line. I am usually a very organized person, but lately I’ve felt SO overwhelmed that I lost touch with organization. 

Dedicating one night a week to keep my affairs in order will be key next year. Between working full time, 2 side hustles (soon to be 3!), and this blog, PLUS First Lady of the Shriners - I am going to have a VERY full plate. Let’s hope I can get in some great organizational grooves next year and not lose my mind!

More reading 

Before I got so caught up in nonsense and my anxiety got the best of me, I was an avid reader. I would put books away like it was going out of style. I love to read. I’ve always loved it. 

Reading used to be an escape for me. But when I got stuck with the burden I carried for many years, I wasn’t able to just sit down and read. My mind never stopped, I always had to be ON, and I couldn’t get lost in the book anymore. It was so depressing. 

My hope is, next year, I can just take breaks and READ. I am so programmed to work then cook dinner or get things done that I never really shut off after work. I’m in go mode until bedtime. So let’s make a pact right now, at least 30 minutes of reading a night - even if it’s at bedtime. 

I know this sounds like resolutions. But I am never one to stick to resolutions. I think by understanding (and I mean truly understanding) the reasons we want to do something changes how we handle them. 

What are you dedicating time to next year?