Consistency is key

It's not just a statement. Consistency is a method, it's a ritual, it's a way of life. You're only going to get better at a goal with practice, committment and maybe a bit of elbow grease. When you stop making excuses and start pouring into yourself, you become unstoppable. The last two years for me have been very eye opening. I'm here to give myself my own flowers with a sort of congratulatory post, if you will.

I've been giving more focus to mind, body and soul. Therapy has been doing wonders for my mental clarity. At first I thought it was just a session to vent my feelings. Just one hour a week to check in with myself. Two years and half later, i'm moving more positively. I'm opening up more, I have more friends. I can discern when people are gravitating towards me for the right reasons as opposed to the wrong ones. The most important realization for me was when I finally heard my own voice. Standing on business forces others to do the same. That's powerful.

Body. Remember that I said that a certain point in time, you have to stop making excuses. Stop rejecting the possibility of a better outcome. Don't create glass ceilings to limit potential. Case and point: I have a cruise that I'm supposed to be on this December. I wanted to get in shape. The thing is, I don't like working out with other people around. I started utilizing the space of my parking garage to run. Once I get off shift, I'll go take Shea for a walk, change in to running clothes and go for a run while everyone is still asleep. I started small, just building endurance. It's been years since I've been on the track team, so I had to realistic about it. The goal was to run a mile. I created a 3-2-1 method. Jog three laps, walk off two. Jog two more laps, walk off one. Moderately run one full lap and then wrap it up on my last walk. I did that CONSISTENLY for two weeks, every other day. On the days that I felt the run could have been better, I didn't beat myself up. I kept telling myself " you did good today, next run we'll focus on pushing more." I kept showing up with the same mindset that the next run would be better. This morning I went for a run and I was able to get in a mile and a quarter with less time walking it off in between sets. That's growth. My eating habits have also changed since last year. I no longer drink alcohol, not even socially. I've given up on soda and juice almost completely. Seltzer water, regular water and kombucha have become my best friend. Even meal prepping for the work week has become easier. When December comes around, I'll be ready.

Soul. Journaling is still a very active process of my healing journey. I make time to check in with the people that matter in my life. I find new local places to travel to or just travel in general. I spend a lot of time reading, and not just fictional fluff. I read to improve. I've been learning more about how to exercise my upcoming investments and how to set myself up for the future. Occasionally, I'll turn on the T.V. and play some playstation. I'll sing as loud as I want and dance when I'm alone. I take bubble baths when I'm feeling zesty. Aside from the normal upkeep of getting haircuts to maintain appearances, i'm looking into booking massages. I make sure my apartment is tidy, I light candles and smudge, I do laundry every week. I schedule times to be in bed to get an adequate amount of rest for the new week to come. Social media breaks are very much a thing. An hour before I go to sleep, I just sit with myself in silence- give grace to God for pulling me through impossible situations and giving me the strength to face another day. That's peace. It's self love. It's how to heal. It may not be a perfect method, but it is a method.