I hope everyone had an amazing holiday season. Mine was fantastic and included making Corn Flake wreaths, cutting down our tree, and getting my husband a Cousin Eddie (from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation) teddy bear from Build-A-Bear that was the highlight of gift-opening. I also had my first hot chocolate with Rumchata and HOLY HELL WHY AM I JUST NOW LEARNING ABOUT THIS?! It is Christmas in a cup, people. Adult Christmas.
On to WILW.
I love a number of wonderful things. But this month’s What I love Wednesday (my plan is to post the first Wed of each month) is about something I need to learn to love. Something I have disregarded and trash talked more often than I care to admit. Or rather, someone.
Me.
Yup. That’s it. You didn’t read that wrong. I am going to learn to give myself my best, and accept that my best is fabulous. I’m going to make my health, both mental and physical, a priority. For years I have tried diets, workouts, self-help books, blogs, tutorials, Bible studies … you name it. All in an effort to make me better, so I can like myself. Or maybe become the person I was told I’m supposed to be. Weird right? But I know at least ONE person reading this understands what’s it’s like to look at yourself in the mirror and think, “Really, this is the best you can do/be/look?” Frankly I’m tired of taking ownership of failures that aren’t mine … And using the failures that are mine as ammunition against the person I should champion the most. Myself.
Recently, a woman visiting her grandmother came to my Sunday School class. Born with a chromosome disorder, she has lost count of the number of surgeries she’s had. She lives in pain everyday from rheumatoid arthritis since childhood. She refuses to complain. Flat refuses. Instead, she counts her blessings daily. I need to embrace that POV like a mother trucker. I have so many blessings surrounding me EVERY DAY and I am now intentionally choosing to focus on them.
I’m going to give monthly updates over the next year, and yes they will include any weight loss or clothing size changes because that will be me celebrating. What am I celebrating? Loving myself enough to say no to gorging on shitty food and yes to improving my health. For me.
So, the new year will include a lot, I mean A LOT, of yoga. Specifically, Brett Larkin Yoga. Check out her website or try one of her YouTube Videos. Brett explains every move, how it should feel, and often what it’s doing for your body all while creating an uplifting, non-judgmental, and empowering space. My goal is to do at least 15 minutes of yoga everyday and at least 30 minutes of dreaded cardio (well, cardio-ish) workouts 3 times a week.
Surprise: I still write!
It’s been two years, so I know a lot of people have either a) forgotten about me, b) figured I stopped writing, or c) didn’t know who I was before (Rachel who?). And it’s totally cool if you fall into any of these categories! This is our chance to connect. And lemme tell you, my readers are kickass, so welcome to an amazing group (you can hangout with us on Facebook in Rachel’s Hidden Haven BTW).
I am about a third the way through the first draft of Hidden by Secrets. This is Claire’s book and if you haven’t met her (what are you waiting for?!) you can meet her in this book, Hidden by Lies (psst it’s FREE with Kindle Unlimited too!!). Next month I hope to share a short excerpt, but heaven knows it will be subject to change and only moderately edited 😉
Thanks for joining me for 2020’s very first What I Love Wednesday. If you have any questions or comments, please click the comment button below 🙂
Rachel Caid 