My 2020 Resolution: Going Within and Listening

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, by which I may be financially compensated. See Disclosures for more info. 


Greetings, all, and Happy Holidays! I hope you have been having a wonderful holiday season. 

Photo by Monika Grabkowska on Unsplash

We have had a nice set of holidays here at Chez Bee. Both Thanksgiving and Christmas were simple and lovely. My husband and I took time to cook together (though he treated me by doing most of the cooking on Christmas day; I was sous chef), and I've been rediscovering how much I enjoy baking. 

Since we downsized into this smaller house many years ago, I really haven't been doing that much baking due to our small and, frankly, terrible oven. We have one of those apartment-sized stoves (it came with the place), and we haven't replaced it yet. It doesn't bake evenly, and it doesn't have a light, and I'd just kind of lost my enthusiasm for baking. 

But then I discovered just how good my toaster oven is. Indeed, the manual gives instructions for baking several mainstay items, so I ordered bakeware made for a toaster oven and have been having a wonderful time rediscovering this hobby. I've even branched out to make things I've never made before. On today's agenda: these traditional Hungarian cookies. It feels good to get back into it!

Anyway, those are the life updates, but there's one more thing I want to raise as we go into 2020.

Being on the cusp of a new year, it's typical to make resolutions, such as to lose weight, get a new job, buy a house, etc.

If you've been reading for any length of time, you know that I am a very goal-oriented person, myself. We've talked about how to reach our goals here on positively b.e.e. quite a few times, and usually, the topic is more of a how-to nature, whether it's making action plans or writing mission statements or signing up for classes or changing mindset or what have you.

But this year I am going to take another tack when reaching for goals. 

This year, my resolution is to get to know myself better by going within rather than using external factors. This may sound a little odd, but bear with me.

I've noticed I'm craving more silence. I'm not on social media as much. I'm reading more in my spare time. Sometimes I work on my hand crafts and don't have anything to accompany that task: no TV; no music; no audiobook—nothing.

This has been a bit of an eye-opener. How?

At first, the silence was nearly deafening. I noticed the noise in my head and all the things I tell myself.

Rather than tamp it down, I just let that play out for a bit so I could learn from it.

After learning from my internal speech, I then focused on my breathing and allowed pure intention to take the place of the noise.

This was so enlightening! The level of focus I have had these last few weeks has been amazing!

Anyway, the point of me sharing all of this is to encourage you to try the silent approach if you like when you set your resolutions this year. Turn off the TV, radio, music, whatever. Get off of social media and your news feed.

Do something you enjoy in total silence.

• Listen to the noise—what are you telling yourself? How can you learn from it?
• Are you willing to let it go? Is it even yours?
• B R E A T H E
• Think about an intention that you can replace the internal monologue with
• Keep breathing and focus that intent
• How does that make you feel? What is the outcome?

Grab your journal and write any insights down! For me, a major insight was that half of the stuff replaying in my head wasn't even mine! It was my mind turning over things I'd read, things that upset me from the news or internet arguments, or thinking about scenes from movies or shows I'd watched, and then some of it was my own insecurities or worries. Once I was able to identify all of that, I was able to deal with it and focus.

I'll be curious to hear what your resolutions are and what approaches work for you. Maybe this approach doesn't work for you, but something else does. Drop me a line in the comments below and share what works, what doesn't, and what the outcome is!

In the meantime, I'd like to wish you all a wonderful winter, a Happy New Year, and the all the joy of discovery that awaits. 

Here's to an amazing 2020! 

💛🐝

 ~positively b.e.e. is on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Follow me there!~

New Beginnings

This post may contain affiliate links, by which I may be financially compensated. See Disclosures & Policies on my About page.

So, some exciting things are happening over here at positively b.e.e.!

This past Friday was my last day at my regular 9-to-5 job. I've been spending my spare time reaching for some personal goals, and I am finally at a place where I can take the leap and really go for them! I've been taking classes, developing plans, talking to people, reading a lot, and working very hard at all of it. I thought it would take me a lot longer to get to this point than it had. This is something I've wanted to do for a long time, though, so I'm doing it. 

My colleagues gave me a great send-off, including a nice going away party, beautiful flowers, handwritten cards & notes, and even a really special goodbye breakfast. (You can see some of these in the above photo.) They really are the best!

Here are some of the questions I've been getting:

Where are you going?
To my couch. Or my desk at home. Or to visit my parents, other family, or friends. Or to the local coffee shop. Or to the car dealership waiting room while my car gets an oil change. The skills I have to offer and the problems I can solve are all doable from just about anywhere!

But...why would you leave your awesome job doing awesome stuff at that super-awesome place you used to work at?
Because it's time. It was a really good run, but this shift has been in progress for a long time, and several things synced up to make me realize the time is now. I am grateful for the years spent at my last job, and at various places along my career. I've learned new skills, made lasting friendships, and had awesome colleagues along the way.

So then what will you be doing?
Proofreading, copy editing, writing, and transcription. You'll note that these things are very portable. Additionally, I will be focusing on continuing to bring great content here at positively b.e.e., and have plans to expand my offerings.

How does your husband/family/whoever feel about this?
I have an amazing support system. My husband and parents have always encouraged me to aim for the stars, go for my dreams, and follow my heart. I recognize that I am very lucky to have them cheering me on, but I also recognize that I would do this even without their support. (I might not have done it *quite* as soon as I am, but I would do it anyway. I'm just built like that.) I also have friends, colleagues, and acquaintances rooting for me.

And really, most people have been incredibly supportive. Indeed, many of them said they wish they could do the same. Some of them HAVE done the same and given me some inspiration and advice. And others have told me they also plan to do the same in the future when the time is right for them.

A few people, though, reacted a little differently. Did you notice that some of the questions I got seemed just a little bit unsure? Maybe it doesn't come across in text, but in person, some people seemed almost afraid for me. Indeed, one person was a little negative about my next move, as if to dissuade me from taking the leap. But I firmly believe that if we never try, we never succeed. I cannot and will not live a fear-based life making fear-based decisions for my future. I've done that for long enough; it's time for a change.

There is freedom waiting for you,
On the breezes of the sky,
And you ask "What if I fall?"
Oh but my darling,
What if you fly?
― Erin Hanson

Ok, but...why?
How many times have I said there's no better time than now to live your best life? To always strive to be yourself and do the things you want to do in life, because life is short and we are only promised this moment? That is a major reason. If I'm going to sit here and talk about how we can fulfill our lives, live our dreams, and be happy in this world, then I need to have some integrity and walk that walk, too. 

There have been a few times in my life where I have been offered opportunities that I'd had to turn down, because I didn't have the bandwidth to accept them while still working in a traditional 9-to-5 setting, and I was too afraid to leave the security of a traditional job. I have now freed myself up to say "yes" instead of "no."

Indeed, after I turned in my resignation, I was approached by several people with invitations to collaborate on projects, so while I thought I'd be taking some time to ramp up, instead I will be hitting the ground running, which is exciting for me! :)

And, just because I will be working in a nontraditional setting does not mean I'm going to sit around all day eating bonbons and watching soaps. I will still be working hard. I just won't be going to someone's office to do that.

Oh, one other question I've gotten from a few people:

Great! This is wonderful news! What can I (we) do to help?
To anyone who has asked this: THANK YOU. I appreciate your support! Tell everyone you know that I'm out here doing this. Share this blog. Tell your friends and family. If you know any writers, business owners, website developers, bloggers, ANYONE who needs a skilled proofreader, copy editor, or writer, send them my name! If you have ever wanted to write your memoir or a book but don't like typing, did you know I can type it up FOR you? Want to write a letter that sounds businesslike but don't know how to go about that? Talk to me. I can help. These are just a few examples of things I have done for people.

Additionally, I hope you will consider using my affiliate links.

For example, if you were going to order something on Amazon, anyway, it doesn't cost you any additional money to use my Amazon Affiliate link, but it does help me out. You simply click on the link and buy whatever you normally would buy, and Amazon gives me a small percentage for the referral at no additional cost to you. If the Amazon link you click on is to a specific product (such as the fortune cookies I feature on Fridays), you don't have to buy that product; you can just click on that link, search on whatever you wanted to buy, and buy it. It's that simple, and will help me in my goals of bringing better content to you here.

So that's the scoop!
I'm super-excited by the changes taking place in my life, both within me and career-wise. I look forward to the next part of the journey.

Oh! And I almost forgot: I know it's Monday (and not Fortune Cookie Friday), but I'm going to include a fortune here in this post. I got this in a fortune cookie years ago, and must have tucked it away somewhere to be forgotten forever. Last week, though, it dropped out of a notebook as I was rearranging items on a shelf:

I mean, REALLY: does it get any better than that? Talk about getting a little confirmation I'm on the right track. Do I think fortune cookies are psychic? No. Do I believe in coincidences? No, not really.

Hey, it works for me. :)

Leave a comment below: what new beginnings are you embarking on this spring? Let's inspire and celebrate each other!

🐝

 ~~ positively b.e.e. is on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Follow me there!

No Break In My Stride

This post may contain affiliate links, by which I may be financially compensated. See Disclosures & Policies on my About page.

So—how are those resolutions going? 

You know the ones—we all made them on January 1st, didn't we? How are they going?

Typically, by this time in any given year, I'd already be losing interest in keeping whatever resolution I'd made on 1/1.

Later, I spent many years decidedly NOT making resolutions because I felt it wasn't worth it. It felt like pressure. I was just going to fail, so why bother?

I'd already pre-determined I was going to fail before I'd done so. 

WOW!!!

Why did I do that to myself?

I know a lot of people make a resolution but then get discouraged after the initial "new thing energy" (as I call it) wears off. "New thing energy" is that energy boost you get when you're excited by something new, when you're eager to try out an idea,  follow an inspiration or start a new project, and you feel all energized and happy and optimistic.

And then life happens, and we start losing interest or faith that we can keep that resolution.

Maybe that cupcake was too good to pass up, so you went over your calorie goal.

Maybe the weather was bad so you didn't get out and walk or run as many times as you wanted to last week.

Maybe that class you signed up for is suddenly clashing with the kids' basketball practice.

Maybe you're overwhelmed with where to even begin.

Does that mean stop trying to do the thing?

Nope-a-roonie!

I think, at least for me, the answer is to find another way past the road block and keep striving for the goal. Create strategies for dealing with potential blocks. Be persistent.

I know it can feel overwhelming sometimes with not knowing where to start. For myself, I look for a social media group or talk to friends for some ideas on what to do in those situations. Just the other day, I expressed some frustration to a coworker about something I really wanted to do and couldn't even get started with, and within 10 minutes she not only had some strategies for how to deal with it, she found me some resources, and BAM! I was off to the races! So don't try to keep a resolution or meet a goal from inside of a vacuum. Get out there and talk to people.

ANYHOO...this morning I woke up with the chorus to this song BLARING in my head:

(Please enjoy all the lovely early '80s dancing and fashion while you're at it! 👍)

As soon as I "heard" it, I knew it was not only a hint to myself, but something to share with you as well.

Don't let anyone or anything break your stride. Keep going! Keep trying! If you want to do the thing, then do the thing! Set the pace for yourself and go for it.

If you have a bad day or week, so what? Get back to it.

Join a gym with a treadmill if the weather is too bad to walk or run. Or do what my husband I did, if you're able and have the space: buy one. I used to think we could never have one, but it turns out, they're a lot cheaper than you'd imagine and take up much less space than I thought they did.

If the kids' schedules get in the way of that class you wanted to take, then find another way to do a similar class. Whether you find a video online or sign up for an online course instead of an in-person course, you're creating another opportunity to rock that goal.

Find creative solutions to the problems you are experiencing and keep on truckin'. Momentum is a powerful thing, but if you lose it, it doesn't mean it's dead, you can always build it up again.

For my own resolutions, I've been examining patterns that are holding me back and giving them the boot. I've been asking myself:

What are your goals?
How do you want to live?

My answer to both of these questions is simple: to live my life happy and fulfilled, being exactly who I am and doing exactly what I am meant to be doing. Not holding myself back with artificial failure-thinking. Not hiding myself from people, but being my authentic, true self.

So that's my 2018 "resolution." Well, that and seeing if I can get 500 miles of walking in.

~👟~👟~👟~👟~👟

To that end: this past weekend, I took a full-day workshop that built upon some concepts that I'd already been examining for a few years, and it blew me away! Even though I didn't have any idea what to expect, I followed my intuition and signed up for it, and I have NO regrets. I briefly talked about it on positively b.e.e.'s Facebook page, and I will be writing more in-depth about the experience in my next post.

In the meantime, ask yourself the same questions: what are your goals, and how do you want to live? Then create a plan, get into YOUR stride, and don't let anyone or anything break it!

Until next time—go ahead, sing along with me (you know you want to!)

🎶 Ain't nothin' gonna break-a my stride
Nobody gonna slow me down, oh no
I got to keep on movin'
Ain't nothin' gonna break-a my stride
I'm running and I won't touch ground
Oh no, I got to keep on movin' 🎶

 ~~ positively b.e.e. is on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest! Follow me there! And please comment below if you want to share your resolutions or strategies for keeping the pace up!