"One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today."
-Dale Carnegie
I'm so excited to be writing for one of my favorite blogs Choose You For You! Stephanie's posts always have a way of making me feel confident in my decisions, unapologetic about the way I live my life, and reflective about how I treat others and allow others treat me. So when Stephanie contacted me to do a guest blog, I was extremely honored but a bit nervous. Stephanie has always encouraged and believed in my writing, but the truth of the matter is that lately - like the past year or so, I have not had any inspiration. I will think of something I feel strongly about or want to share, but the words just won't come.
I decided that in 2019, I would spend more time focusing on my writing and my blog. See, that's one of the things I have been doing as the year is quickly coming to a close. (Yes bih, I said coming to a close. Can you believe it's already November? Macy's already has their Christmas display up? I'm already planning my Thanksgiving menu? WTF??) Planning what is important to me and what I want to accomplish in the new year.
But why? Why am I planning for 2019 when I have an entire 2 months left of 2018? 60 days to get closer to my wants, goals and desires? 1460 hours to make shit happen! 87,600 minutes to get it poppin'! LET'S GO! *Diddy voice* Ok, I got a little too excited, but you get the picture.
This is one of the reasons I love and hate New Year's Day and Mondays. And if you have ever made any of the statements below - we might be in the same boat!
"I can not keep my house clean. I'm going to get into a daily cleaning routine starting Monday!"
"I never have food in the house. Starting Monday, I'm going to start grocery shopping regularly. This will be my last weekend getting takeout!" *Spends all Monday grocery shopping, and orders a pizza when I get home because now I am too tired to cook.*
"Ugh, I hate this extra weight I've picked up. I'm going to start my diet and workout routine... When? You guessed it! New Year's Day! Now let me eat every terrible food I love every night leading up to January 1st to get it out my system...”
"In 2019 I'm going to learn to *insert hobby/skill here*!"
"I'm going to drink a gallon of water a day. Starting Monday." *sips Sprite*
I get it. New Year's and Mondays are about new beginnings. There is always something revitalizing and motivating about a fresh start. Why do you think the gym is filled to capacity in January? Why are there New Year's resolutions? We are given a new opportunity to DO BETTER. BE BETTER. RECEIVE BETTER. And there's not much better than that.
But sometimes there is so much preparation for MONDAY, by the time Monday rolls around, I'm too tired to start whatever routine it was that I had in mind. Tuesday anyone?
So why put so much pressure on Monday or January 1st? Every single day can be a clean slate. Why wait until 2019 to start a new routine? Create a vision board? I don't know about you, but there are things throughout the year I think about that I want to conquer and accomplish.
So, as the year continues to wind down, one thing I want to start in 2019, (haha, see what I did there?) is to stop putting off things I can take steps toward now. Why wait until January to lose 5 pounds? By then, I'll have to lose ten. Waiting will make it much harder for myself!
If I want to travel more in 2019 - why not plan a get away now? It doesn't have to be an elaborate 2 week trip to Paris. It could be a short weekend getaway with your girls, mom, child or significant other.
I can prepare now to start a new hobby or learn a new skill! Take a class, do online research, meet people who are involved. Why keep putting it off?
If I want to meet my prince charming in 2019, instead of waiting to put a picture of Boris Kodjoe (is he still a thing?) on a vision board in January; why not join a dating site today and take the initiative to start meeting people (that hopefully look like Boris Kodjoe)?
And speaking of vision boards, I absolutely believe in positive visualization. But in addition to creating a yearly vision board for New Years, I want to start cutting out pics at the moment I think of them and adding them to the vision board year round. I'm not going to wait until the NEXT vision board in 2020 to start seeing the things I want to achieve on a daily basis.
Yes. Self love, self care and accomplishing wants and goals and visualizations can start Monday, or 2019 or RIGHT NOW!! And when Monday and New Year's rolls around, I for one, plan to simply relax and enjoy the day!
Is there anything you are planning for the future that you can start now? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below.
Thank you for reading and well wishes and cheers to Stephanie who inadvertently forced me to stop putting off one of my loves!! If I was able to give you even a smidgen of the inspiration Stephanie is known for, I have done my job!
And be sure to check out my blog lolastiger.wordpress.com - new posts coming in 2019 very soon!! :)