I'm a mother, wife, and author. No, I'm an author, mother, and wife. There is a difference. One viewpoint is simply putting ourselves last and the other is how low we are on our own totem pole.
Life is short, we need to make the most of it. The days are long but the years are short. I often think of that as time moves quickly and I'm still unable to sell books. That I am at a job that reminds me of that every day.
I don't make New Year's Resolutions. They only come once a year and they don't last. Instead, I prefer to recognize that if something needs to change then just change it, regardless of the time of year.
Having said that, I did make a promise to myself at the beginning of 2023. I promised myself I wouldn't give up on myself. We don't give up on our kids, marriages, jobs, and families. But we sometimes forget to put ourselves first or even in the discussion.
I had the lucky happenstance to visit with a friend this weekend. Florida if you must know. We've had some amazing adventures this weekend and some really good talks. I reminded her it was time for her, but could I listen to my own advice?
The promise I made to myself at the beginning of the year was for me and to me and it wasn't just to write more, or finish more books, It was, simply this, to allow myself joy. Joy in the writing and the journey to a successful writing career, and joy in the friends I still have, whether that's calling more, visiting more, texting more, or socializing more. Be present in my life more.
A promise to myself is to experience the present, listen to my heart, enjoy the ride, and give and receive the joy.
The weekend was a gift to myself even with the travel hassles, and over-packing, (who doesn't?) It was getting up without an alarm, pool time, ice cream time, a walk around a lake, Disney Springs, live music, and the beach.
Stopping, looking, and experiencing the present. My promise to myself. I won't give up on me.
Thank you, Jodi. I miss and love you. We should do this again soon! I promise.
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