Oh, January. The month of reflection and goals continues on… As I mentioned a few times I felt like 2014 was just a year of surviving. It was like I just went through the motions of doing all the things that I had to do and not so much time doing things that I loved to do. I often work from 5 or 6am until 7pm, splitting my time between Coaching at CrossFit 70 and working as a consultant with our Web Marketing company. On top of keeping the house running well and having time for my family I often felt like the things I enjoyed doing just got pushed to the side. I realized I became my work. I have had zero work/life balance. That happens when you run your own business and when you work from home. Constantly running back and forth with the “must do” things is like continuously withdrawing from a bank account and neglecting to deposit back into it. Operating on that negative balance is exhausting. The things that used to be no big deal for me to do became such an ordeal because I was running on empty. My happiness meter was dangerously low. So this year I decided to change that. My word for the year, Thrive, was something I picked to help me focus on my personal and professional growth regardless of circumstances. In order to Thrive I need to be able to step away from the grind for a minute or 10 and really recharge my soul.
For most people I know getting away for an hour to workout most days is a part of their recharge time. And, yes, it is for me too. I need that time. It stopped being a choice a long time ago. If I were to put a relationship status with CrossFit I’d have to say “It’s Complicated” because it is a hobby, a release, a recharge… but it is also a business. So being there to work out is never just about working out, there is always still something that needs tending too. So I’ve decided on top of my daily workouts I’m going to take some more time to myself and do more of what makes me happy.
I’ve kind of been helped along in this whole process with my Passion Planner. One of my short term goals was to enjoy life more. I love that the planner helps you break those goals down into actionable steps and keeps you focused on those small steps throughout the week. I made my goal last week to do more of what makes me happy, but in order to do that I spent some time doodling and listing out things that made me happy.
My list included coffee/tea dates, reading, having a clean house, DIY projects, writing, painting my nails, and most recently… Yoga! I am happy to say I did yoga twice last week, cleaned a good amount of my house, read an entire book, painted my nails, and spent more time writing. Do I have time for all that? No, but I made time for it because it sets me up to be in a better place mentally where I am far more productive in far less time. Really, it comes down to knowing you are worth it. You are worth investing in yourself. I am worth investing in. Even if it means pressing pause on some other things, It is SO worth it.
What is something that makes you happy?
imperfectly courtney 
I love ME time. I like being able to do whatever it is I want with a couple kid/husband free hours. They are hard to come by but man, they are good for the soul. That’s something I love and need to do more of.
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I love this post! I am glad that I am not the only one that struggles with the life/work balance. I too felt like I just went through the motions last year. I didn’t do anything that I wanted. I was always “too tired” to go out and meet friends. I love this planner & how it looks so much easier to plan everything out. Thank you for sharing this.
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