Can you even believe it’s already April, school holidays next week and we are into the 2nd quarter of 2019! I have had the strangest of starts to 2019; from getting that nasty flu virus twice this year then viral meningitis , 3 weeks ago my son and I were in a car accident ( and still in recovery). I came out with a broken bone in my hand; not great as I am a photographer, bruised sternum and chest ligaments, and my son has concussion and whiplash. Pretty frightening experience for us both as my son watched me being taken by stretcher to the ambulance in a lot of chest pain. We are both extremely thankful to the amazing NHS emergency services and the wonderful people that stayed to look after us both.
Boy has that all messed up with my 2019 plans. Although I don’t make New Year Resolutions ( see my post here), I still have plans, aspirations and dreams for the upcoming year that I like to reflect on every quarter. This year it feels like every time I try and get that mojo flowing and put myself out there, I have had a knock back. It makes me question everything about myself, my business, am I good enough, it really has messed with my brain.
For someone who has clinical depression this has been a really trying time for me and my family. I am very fortunate to have good friends around me, one a life coach and one a wellbeing coach amongst them. Both have spoken to me and told me I have to slow down, listen to my body and take time out for myself, less time on social media. In fact both Gina and Natasha have said to delete the apps from my phone ! Pretty scary if I am to be honest lol , but nothing is going to happen if I step away for a week is there. I may loose a few followers, nothing major in the grand scheme of things.
The other advise they gave me is to take baby, mindful steps at a time. This advise is the greatest gift they both gave me, one I need to work on, not to pressure myself and not to make such big goals that the end seems nigh impossible. One of those baby steps is to get some fresh air everyday , no pressure to count steps, just fresh air that will clear my mind, be beneficial to my mental health, good for my heart, and Buddy benefits too!
So here goes my fresh start and hopefully a healthy one at least!
You are amazing. You are wise enough to recognise you need to hit pause and nothing bad will happen if you just reset your expectations and let go. Be brave, you need this time to heal and then go again. All will still be here for you when you come back. You are stronger than you know and by letting go you’ll find you have the mental clarity and space to do even greater things. Much love, Nat x
Nat you are such an inspiration to me. I always feel energised when we talk on the phone, my sister from another mother xxx
Anna you are such an inspirational lady, you and your family are such a joy to be around and I’m super proud to know you all xxx yes you need to slow down a little, we all love you dearly x
thank you hun, feel so blessed to have met you all too and to call you friends xx
So sorry to hear you’ve had a rough start to 2019… I have too … I hope things settle down for both of us soon! {HUGS}
thanks Liz xx
Great blog post, Anna. What a few months you’ve had. Glad you recognise you need to slow down, take a breath, get better, then you’ll be able to achieve more of the amazing things you do. Sending hugs
Thank you Angela, looking forward to seeing you on your next visit to the UK xx