Instead of just diving into the 3 ways I am going to reconnect with m 5-year-old self I want to give you all a bit of a back story.
I was flipping through old photos of myself and I came across a photo of myself on a bike with no clothes on except my underwear and an intense spark in my eye. As I sat staring at this photo of this little girl with so much excitement for life, I couldn’t help but wonder where that little girl had gone.
As an 18-year-old at the time, when I found this photo I had completely lost that spark in my eye and the excitement for life.
I was struggling with a mountain of expectations, was controlled by my anxiety and felt alone, directionless and numb. Numb in the way, there is just too much to figure out, so I might as well shut down and let autopilot take over.
BUT it just kept getting worse and worse, the daily grind was leaving me empty. I knew that wasn’t me, I knew I was meant for more.
So in comes my mission to reconnect with my 5-year-old self:
- Move yo body, Just. Do. It. (so Nike of me).
I have found that any type of exercise makes my day go so much smoother. I am happier, have more energy and it gives me a bit of my spunk back.
Now it doesn’t have to be crazy cardio, actually for us women at certain times of the month we shouldn’t be doing intense workouts. It is all about listening to your body, but also having enough self awareness to know when your body needs you to take it slow or if you’re being lazy! Big thing for me!
My favs:
30 minute cardio workouts
Walking
Yoga
Spin Class
Zumba
- Set goals, then find the joy in the journey of achieving them.
I am a huge believer of setting goals to work towards, but I was so focused on my goals it was taking all the fun out of the journey. I was beginning to be so goal oriented, I was so stressed out about getting to the goal and than I wouldn’t even take the time to celebrate when I reached the goal. It was all about finding the next goal to go after.
Does this sound familiar?
So, yes I am going to set the goals, but I am going to freakin enjoy the journey of getting there.
If I don’t achieve the goal in the timeline I envisioned in my mind, that is okay, I repeat that is okay. It doesn’t mean I won’t achieve it one day very soon #mindsetintervention
I will reassess my action plan and keep moving forward and enjoying the journey.
Because you know what, no good story has only a beginning and an end. All good stories have a middle.
#3 Pour the bath and drink the wine.
Most days are so busy it is really hard to find the time to do it all, but speaking from personal experience, if you don’t take the time to have “me time” you will burn out.
And I am one grumpy person when I hit the burnout stage in the game!
In order to make sure I take time to have a bath, read my fav book or watch an uninterrupted movie with a glass of wine. Oh and no folding laundry involved, I have to consciously make myself do it.
If you are like me you will sit down, but then feel guilty for slowing down, so let me share the affirmation I am using to help myself.
“I choose to give myself the space I need to enjoy and be in this moment.”
Going to schedule my “me time” into my calendar now!!
I have one question for you,
Are you ready to reconnect with your 5-year-old self with me? She is in there!
Marie Stromsmoe 