Time is a funny thing.  It’s both a second, and a lifetime.  It can be clear as day, or a blur.  You can calculate and quantify its existence with a calendar or a watch, but like DNA, time is unique to the individual – each person has a distinct prospective unlike anyone else’s. 

Change is like time.  It occurs both instantly and gradually.  It’s the result of life-altering events that occur in an instant. These are the moments that forever alter our lives and the course of our journey.  These are moments that I use to personally assess time. It’s those pre/post-breakup, a move, a trip, a death, starting a blog 🙂 kinda events. Change also happens gradually.  It’s our reactions, progress, growth, and journey toward self-discovery as a result of those life-altering events.

Last summer I felt like my life was stagnant.   I had just turned 31 and found myself very single with no relationship prospects.  I was bored with my job and not sure how I wanted to move forward.  I felt like everyone around me was so busy progressing forward with new relationships, new careers, new moves, etc.  They were growing and evolving, and I was just kind of running in place. 

Then in September, I went on a trip to Greece and Italy with one of my good friends.  The trip was amazing.  It was exactly what I needed to clear my head and not fixate on the future.  I was on an all-time high-until the last day when I suddenly started feeling anxious about returning home.  I realized I was headed back to reality and unless I took responsibility and make a change, my problems weren’t going anywhere. I didn’t want this emotional high I was experiencing to end.

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It was on the flight home I made a decision, a promise to myself, that I wouldn’t let it. 

I had wanted to start a blog for a while, but I kept making excuses.   I thought about waiting until the new year to start, but I knew I had to capitalize on this travel high, and not lose any momentum.  I decided right there and then, I was going to start it- THAT day NO excuses.  I started writing out a plan and action items I needed to take to get up and running.  And just like that, I was off.  I didn’t stop and I never looked back.  When I finally came up for air, I took a moment to reflect on what I had accomplished and check-in on how I was feeling emotionally.  I felt amazing.  

I felt inspired, motivated, determined, confident, and proud – emotions I hadn’t experienced in quite some time. 

If I had come to the decision to wait until January 1^st to start my blog, it would have never happened.  Resolutions and goals are SO important and great to make for yourself, but I don’t believe they should center around an arbitrary date on a calendar.   The moment you realize there is something you want to do, or a change you need to make– don’t wait – ACT.  Seriously, think of it like online shopping – the longer you leave something in your cart, the less likely you are to make the purchase.   Except in this instance, you’re not doing any damage to your bank account.  Your mind and emotions are fueling these ideas at that very moment for a reason – trust your instincts and don’t ignore them! The longer you wait, the more likely you are to lose the motivation to move forward. You’ll make excuses, and accept the status quo.  Each day you wait, the probability of actually taking action decreases tenfold.  

My New Year’s Eve was underwhelming, to say the least, and New Year’s Day I woke up to no power (and almost burned the house down with a candle!)  But my December 30^th was great, and today, January 2^nd everything has returned to normal.  If you have a great New Year’s – that’s wonderful, use that energy for something good!  But if it feels disappointing, don’t let that set the tone for the next 365 days.     

Every day is another opportunity for a resolution, a change, a new beginning.  Welcome and embrace May 18^th, July 26^th, and September 24^th resolutions, too.

I don’t know if my trip was a life-altering event, or the very instant I made the decision to start my blog.  Maybe both.  Maybe neither.  What I do know is that change was inevitable, and this journey I’m headed on will alter my course in some way. 

I know this week’s and last week’s post are a departure from my normal fashion posts, but I felt compelled to write about these topics, and share a bit more of my story with you all!   Regardless if you believe in resolutions or not, let’s make 2019 a great one!  I have trips to Miami and New York coming up, so stay tuned for posts around that 🙂