I hadn't shared my word for 2020 here or any social media platform, for no particular reason, I just never felt I needed to, or maybe I knew a time would eventually come when it felt like right. My chosen word for 2020 was GRATITUDE, although most recently I feel like the word chose me rather than me choosing it. I purchased a gratitude journal for myself and the girls for Christmas and had high hopes of instilling the practice of daily reflection not only for myself but also for the children. This was a fail. We talk about gratitude and we often highlight good things in our day at the dinner table, but the journaling I just didn't push in the end. While I failed with my girls in the journaling department, I am happy to report I've been doing it myself. Not daily but every few days, I steal moments of early mornings to reflect and jot down my thoughts. It helps to have a beautiful little journal that's on my nightstand and also a special pretty pen just for this purpose. It sounds silly but haven't a special extra something just adds to the ritual.
Why did I choose GRATITUDE?
If I am being honest, it has been an overwhelming school year. With a new job, that I enjoy and am grateful for, comes long hours and a steep learning curve. I was having a difficult time managing all the responsibilities, the long hours, the tasks I was bringing home after being at the school until 6 p.m. and then still working yet another hour or two in the evenings. I was finding my energy depleted to keep up with my own family, the activities, the cooking, cleaning, shopping, blogging, seeing friends, reading, etc. It all felt like a lot and although I knew I loved all of those things, I found myself also resenting them at times or feeling "I have to...." rather than "I get to..." I tried to reflect and decide what I needed to let go of, but that only made me more resentful because I didn't want to cut anything out. Thus, came the exploration and research into the practice of gratitude. I felt like I needed to change my internal dialogue and my outlook on my current lifestyle.
Resources?
I am a huge fan of podcasts and listen to them while I get ready in the morning. So here are a few different episodes that really had me thinking about gratitude and practices surrounding it.
The Mom Hour: The Thank You Project with Nancy Davis
This really made me think about all the people I had in my life that I was so thankful for and that I wanted to have strong bonds with. Although I loved the idea of writing letters to each individual, I knew I just wasn't up to that task. Instead in my head I choose some people that I wanted to do something nice and special for throughout the year to let them know I was thinking of them. I made time to go for lunch with my grandmother, and I remember feeling torn between going into the school to do work and sticking to my plan of spending time with my grandmother. You know what?!? I had the best time ever with my grandma, chatting, enjoying a lovely meal and my heart felt so full afterwards, that it kept me going through another busy work week. Also, I've picked up little bunches of flowers to drop off at a friends doorstep, just because. Take the time to think about the people in my life that inspire, empower and support me, is just the greatest way to put life into perspectives.
Live on Purpose: The 3 Keys to Morning & Evening Routines
This had be really just reassess the importance around a ritual for taking time to reflect and write. My journal is simple so it only takes a few minutes. Although I enjoyed writing in the evening, I found that it was hard to find true stillness and I was often too tired. So now, on the days that I don't wake up to go and exercise, I sit to reflect and write in the quietness of my home, with the coffee brewing and before I do my blogging. This girl is having a session today on her IG stories, so go check her out.
