Weekly Wins {Last of September}

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+ I managed to blog for a whole week, say WHAT!?!? Totally a win, y'all!

+ Plans to move to another gym is in the works and I had a really good interview. We are close to deciding the next step.

+ Lots of wonderful conversations this week with sweet friends. I need more of them in my life. 

+ I unexpectedly hit a BONUS at work and couldn't be more thrilled. The extra $$ is so nice, but just the mental and emotional bump it gave me hitting the numbers was enough. I know it won't be smooth sailing every week, however not feeling like a fish out of water has helped. 

+ I taught two classes this week and didn't die. Big deal when I've been out for so long. 

+ Le Husband is home after traveling all week. So nice to have him back with me. 

What were your wins this week?

What September Taught Me

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If you bust your @$$ long enough, people will reward your effort. I struggled so much in training. I gave it my all, even when it didn't seem good enough. I kept showing up. I kept trying. I kept going because I had to and it was rewarded. I was given extra chances and made the most of opportunities and made it to the finish line.

Rest when you can. For real. When you're stressed to the max, emotionally & physically, taking a moment to lay down and breathe is helpful. Squeezing in a nap after dinner is worth it. Saying no to a fun activity to catch your sanity is okay.

Unexpected people will help you out. So many people went to bat for me during training. To the people on Instagram who cheered me up when I cried, thank you. To my mentors, trainers and fellow trainee who championed me when I felt like a failure, thank you. To anyone who had a kind comment, it meant the world.

Outside the comfort zone is scary, but sometimes it's a must. Sometimes you must grow. Sometimes you must try something you'd never try. Sometimes you must do things you don't want to because it just needs to be done. And you learn, YES YOU CAN!

You can try and plan your life, but NOPE. Big ol haha, NOPE! Go ahead and plan, then let me know how it goes. The past two months have taught me to roll with the punches and figure it all out. Plans are great, but life does not adhere to plans.

Summer is truly my favorite. I love summer. The heat. The sunshine. The relax. The clothes. I'm so thankful I get such a long summer down here in Tennessee. The crips fall air will arrive soon enough and then bring winter, boo. So I'm soaking it all up now, while I can.

*inspiration found here*

C U R R E N T L Y

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traveling to Vegas and Cinncinati next month, woohoo!
wearing lots of big girl business clothes. honestly, I miss my workout clothes.
collecting lots of mental notes from seniors at my work.
making lots of smoothies, sweet potato fries and bagels. quick easy snacks, too.
taking rest whenever I can get it. my schedule is all over the place.
planning new workout schedules and a possible gym move.

reading lots of Kristin Hannah books. SO DARN GOOD!
loving the support and nurturing I've received from Le Husband since August. #blessed
praying for health & the future.
feeling excited, nervous, anxious, thankful and grateful.

Joy Bombs

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.:. Getting to sleep in on a Monday because I chose to work over the weekend.

.:. Surprising my mom and enjoying her laugh.

.:. Having a good shift on Sunday.

.:. Windows open and candles lit.

.:.Le Husband cooking a delicious dinner for the two of us to enjoy while we watch our favorite show.

.:. Catching Harry Potter on TV for a cozy evening.

.:. Friends who support me no matter what and let me know.

.:. Face masks, at home pedicures and new lotion smells.

.:. Sharing in special secrets with people I love.

.:. Peaceful sleeps after stressful days.

.:. Penpal letters in the mail.

.:. Surprise texts that just make your day.

.:. Four new books checked out from the library.

.:. Beautiful, wonderful sunshine.

Remember the Fight

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Sometimes the fight is physical. Sometimes mental. Quite often, emotional. Life takes no prisoners and life doesn't promise you easy. Your highest highs can be followed by the lowest lows. 

There have been quite a few times over the past months I haven't wanted/chosen to fight. I've sat back. I've cried. I've said "it isn't fair". I've thought "now, really"? There have been days of sobbing through the night, desperately praying for a new path. A light at the end of a tunnel. 

Other times I've said "eff this, I got this". I've dug in. I've done the work and sometimes been rewarded.

Funny, the times I've chosen to fight I've always felt better. I've always found my way. And here we are now. Two weeks out of training and I'm doing decent. I'm not crying every night, doubting myself and my path. I'm learning. Trying. Working. Choosing joy. 

Will this be my path forever? Probably not. 

Do I want this to be my career? No, not really. 

But for now, I'm fighting and working daily. I'm making the effort to try and learn from this place. From this path laid out in front of me. I've had some really good days, some good days a couple BLAH days, but that's life. 

On this Monday I want you to remember the fight. The reason. The why. YOU CAN DO THI!

Weekly Wins: First Week at the New Job

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YAY, it's FRIDAY! Kind of, for me. I work tomorrow, but that's okay because I've made it almost to end of my first work week. WAHOOOO WAHOOOO! Let's count up the wins.

+ I didn't blank out my first two days of work on the floor. I wasn't perfect, but I wasn't awful which is huge.

+ Sleep has been a tad bit better, which is a huge win. I've been suffering extremely painful back spasms every night since June and any night it's not an eight, I'm grateful. I have an appointment set with a specialist next month, fingers crossed. 

+ I had a successful dermatologist appointment {bye bye bad mole} and a semi successful acupuncture appointment. I think I'll need a few more needle treatments, but I'm thankful she squeezed me in so quickly.

+ Le Husband has been super fantastic about cooking during my work week, he's the best. 

How was your week? What can I cheer on for you?

HERE WE GO

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Friends, we are here. Starting a new job today. A new job I wasn't even sure I was going to get becasuse the training was so tough. A new job I thought was mine, not four more weeks of interviews and points. 

The past four weeks have been some of the hardest I've ever had with a job. Minus the management job because there was no support. Nada. This was just hard and I learned a lot and I busted my tail. And now we are here. 

Starting this week, my schedule is created for the next month and a new normal begins. Hopefully I'll be able to keep teaching and hopefully training, but who knows right now. This is a big opportunity and I'm praying I'm smart enough and strong enough to make this a great job. 

Wishing you a wonderful week, friends.

Five Years

"You're the reason I believe in love

And you're the answer to my prayers form up above

All we need is just the two of us

My dreams came true because of you"

Happy Five Years, my love!