Before starting this post I drank a lot of tea.
Tea is a fantastic aid to procrastination.
“A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong it is until it’s in hot water.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
I’ve been blogging over 4 years now, and during that time I can count on one hand how many times the words just won’t come. In fact it’s probably only really been twice.
An unplanned absence from the blog (my virtual home) during December has left me a little lost for words.
The reason for the absence I explained on Facebook yesterday.
It feels awkward and forced to type this morning. I imagine it might read that way also.
But I know that the hardest step is to type the first word.
The rest will follow. And they have. I’m now 100 words in as I typed 100.
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” – Lao Tzu
Getting started is all about taking that first step, whatever your want, or need, may be.
Maybe you want to get fit. You don’t have to run 6 miles today, you can walk 1 or 2.
Have you been thinking about losing a little excess weight? A full on paleo diet may not be the best starting point, but cutting out that mid-afternoon sugary snack may be.
Thinking about learning a new language? No time to study 2 nights a week at college? Listen to an audio book for 10 minutes each day as you drive to work.
The start of each New Year brings with it high hopes and aspirations. I love the positivity and motivation that January inspires. What I don’t love is the way in which retailers and brands go into commercial overdrive, putting out messages that we need to reinvent ourselves. Suggesting that there is a perfect solution to achieve our aspirations, or resolve our problems.
If you have never been to a gym in 40 years, developing the habit to go 3 times a week is going to be a massive leap.
But walking to a location you go to daily instead of driving may not be. It’s still exercise. It may not be packaged up as the perfect solution – but it works. And its free.
I have something that I genuinely need to get started on. It’s been weighing me down for a long time.
But that’s a post for another day. I’ve broken my writers block, I got started and still have much more to share.
Honestly, I don’t know. I feel in a rut and life is passing by, my children are growing too quickly while life is wasted on stuff that doesn’t matter. I want to sit and write and get my head in order then take a few first small steps.
I’ve just gone on Facebook to read your post, much love to you and your family xxx
Great stuff on making that first step and breaking your writers block.
Emma – I’m sorry to hear you feel stuck. That’s an awful feeling. I know. Sounds like a good idea to get it all down on paper. I’d then prioritise what’s important to you. There’s a post coming soon about how I do it. Here’s an old post on mapping it out…https://simplybeingmum.com/2013/05/21/not-perfect-but-not-giving-in/
Thank you, I will have a read x
Emma – also I highly recommend the book ‘Simplify Your Life Downsize and Destress’ by Naomi Saunders
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Simplify-Your-Life-Naomi-Saunders/dp/0859699722
A few years ago I really needed a new direction and this book saved my life!
Honestly, I don’t know. I feel in a rut and life is passing by, my children are growing too quickly while life is wasted on stuff that doesn’t matter. I want to sit and write and get my head in order then take a few first small steps.
I’ve just gone on Facebook to read your post, much love to you and your family xxx
Great stuff on making that first step and breaking your writers block.
Emma – I’m sorry to hear you feel stuck. That’s an awful feeling. I know. Sounds like a good idea to get it all down on paper. I’d then prioritise what’s important to you. There’s a post coming soon about how I do it. Here’s an old post on mapping it out…https://simplybeingmum.com/2013/05/21/not-perfect-but-not-giving-in/
Thank you, I will have a read x
Emma – also I highly recommend the book ‘Simplify Your Life Downsize and Destress’ by Naomi Saunders
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Simplify-Your-Life-Naomi-Saunders/dp/0859699722
A few years ago I really needed a new direction and this book saved my life!
I just wanted to say your blog inspired me today, one step at a time one foot infront of the other and you’ll get there.
Thank you Sarah! That was the aim – to inspire you and to inspire me! 🙂
I just wanted to say your blog inspired me today, one step at a time one foot infront of the other and you’ll get there.
Thank you Sarah! That was the aim – to inspire you and to inspire me! 🙂
I’m so sorry for your loss. I spent Christmas 2013/New Year’s 2014 taking care of my stepmom as she died of pancreatic cancer at home and remembering those days this past holiday season made it hard for me to enjoy it fully. ((hugs))
It’s true that just taking the 1st step is often the hardest, although I tend to think that the 2nd step (keep the momentum going) can sometimes be harder. I also hate the over-commercialization of everything to capitalize on people’s renewed hopes and aspirations but in my case it brought an unexpected 75% discount on the budgeting software that I was looking at buying after the initial free trial period and I’m way too over the moon about it to want to complain about the over-commercialization, however it’s definitely keeping me out of the stores and away from online shopping. I guess I’m contrary that way!
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog these past few months (I followed you over from The Frugal Girl) and I’m glad to see you back to blogging! I hope that 2015 is kind to you and yours.
Nathalie – I wholly approve of the purchasing of the software (not that you require my approval ;)) – When you make a purchase for the right reasons it makes sense – see this article https://simplybeingmum.com/2012/05/29/the-simple-guide-to-conscious-spending-revisited/
It’s the dieting industry that really irritates me this time of the year. But there’s a post to come on that!
So glad you came over from FG – it’s lovely to have you here.
I’m so sorry for your own experience with pancreatic cancer – that’s what we’ve just been through also. I was told it would be ‘short and sharp’ from a friend who knew. She was right.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I spent Christmas 2013/New Year’s 2014 taking care of my stepmom as she died of pancreatic cancer at home and remembering those days this past holiday season made it hard for me to enjoy it fully. ((hugs))
It’s true that just taking the 1st step is often the hardest, although I tend to think that the 2nd step (keep the momentum going) can sometimes be harder. I also hate the over-commercialization of everything to capitalize on people’s renewed hopes and aspirations but in my case it brought an unexpected 75% discount on the budgeting software that I was looking at buying after the initial free trial period and I’m way too over the moon about it to want to complain about the over-commercialization, however it’s definitely keeping me out of the stores and away from online shopping. I guess I’m contrary that way!
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog these past few months (I followed you over from The Frugal Girl) and I’m glad to see you back to blogging! I hope that 2015 is kind to you and yours.
Nathalie – I wholly approve of the purchasing of the software (not that you require my approval ;)) – When you make a purchase for the right reasons it makes sense – see this article https://simplybeingmum.com/2012/05/29/the-simple-guide-to-conscious-spending-revisited/
It’s the dieting industry that really irritates me this time of the year. But there’s a post to come on that!
So glad you came over from FG – it’s lovely to have you here.
I’m so sorry for your own experience with pancreatic cancer – that’s what we’ve just been through also. I was told it would be ‘short and sharp’ from a friend who knew. She was right.
This is an inspiring blog post. I always want to run before I can walk.i am determined that this is the year of less so that I can have more time living.
I am so sorry about your Father, I am sending you and your family lots of love xxxxx
Penny I used to think making changes was all or nothing. Yet watching others, even my own children I have learnt that patience and perseverance are the most effective method of achieving lasting results. Have you read ‘The Slight Edge’ by Jeff Olson? http://slightedge.org/
Here’s to a year of less is more!
This is an inspiring blog post. I always want to run before I can walk.i am determined that this is the year of less so that I can have more time living.
I am so sorry about your Father, I am sending you and your family lots of love xxxxx
Penny I used to think making changes was all or nothing. Yet watching others, even my own children I have learnt that patience and perseverance are the most effective method of achieving lasting results. Have you read ‘The Slight Edge’ by Jeff Olson? http://slightedge.org/
Here’s to a year of less is more!
Love the sound advice Jo. Been on the tea here today as well. Thinking of you xo
Thanks Claire! You can’t beat a cuppa. A Brit’s answer to absolutely everything!
Love the sound advice Jo. Been on the tea here today as well. Thinking of you xo
Thanks Claire! You can’t beat a cuppa. A Brit’s answer to absolutely everything!
Very timely post Jo.
Over the past year in one of the offices I work in, I took to the horrible habit of snacking on sweets. Cheap, chocolate, jellybeans, biscuits, cakes …all available, and everyone in munching on them constantly.
Tomorrow evening is my first day back in that office and my aim is to NOT have any sweets.
Rice cakes – that’s my advice. Or popcorn 🙂
Very timely post Jo.
Over the past year in one of the offices I work in, I took to the horrible habit of snacking on sweets. Cheap, chocolate, jellybeans, biscuits, cakes …all available, and everyone in munching on them constantly.
Tomorrow evening is my first day back in that office and my aim is to NOT have any sweets.
Rice cakes – that’s my advice. Or popcorn 🙂
Sorry to hear your news, Jo. xx
Thank you – it’s appreciated!
Sorry to hear your news, Jo. xx
Thank you – it’s appreciated!
Jo, I am so sorry. What a heartache. Good advice from you on making changes, and rest assured, your writing flowed like a friendly conversation, as always. I’ve already started on cutting out the sweet-eating that began in December with the first cookies made to give away. Every day NOT making a change makes it only harder in the end.
Jo, I am so sorry. What a heartache. Good advice from you on making changes, and rest assured, your writing flowed like a friendly conversation, as always. I’ve already started on cutting out the sweet-eating that began in December with the first cookies made to give away. Every day NOT making a change makes it only harder in the end.
Jo as usual on topic 🙂
Personal stuff
Loosing weight top of list 🙂 2 lb down already 🙂 22 to go!
Cutting out the ‘bad’ relationships. I came to realise that I’m not treated with the same regard i am expected to treat other people, Christmas highlighted this for me. Realisation and a good talking to from hubs helped me with this. Already started!
Get a Job! 3 years at uni and it’s that time! Putting myself back on the market scares the hell out of me.
Family stuff
Continue with zero waste
Cutting the cloth so to speak. We going to Florida in April (again) and we always take the credit card and use it. Not this year. We are going to make sure we budjet according. Took us till June last year to pay the blighter off. Which leads me onto meal planning and shopping sensibly.
Try and get some home balance again. I do miss my children and the last 3 years have been hard for them too, they miss their Mum and she is wanting her babies back! Need to spend as much time with them as i can.
So there it is. The stars are realigned and i’m looking forward to 2015. Let the simple times roll 🙂
Sharron x
Jo as usual on topic 🙂
Personal stuff
Loosing weight top of list 🙂 2 lb down already 🙂 22 to go!
Cutting out the ‘bad’ relationships. I came to realise that I’m not treated with the same regard i am expected to treat other people, Christmas highlighted this for me. Realisation and a good talking to from hubs helped me with this. Already started!
Get a Job! 3 years at uni and it’s that time! Putting myself back on the market scares the hell out of me.
Family stuff
Continue with zero waste
Cutting the cloth so to speak. We going to Florida in April (again) and we always take the credit card and use it. Not this year. We are going to make sure we budjet according. Took us till June last year to pay the blighter off. Which leads me onto meal planning and shopping sensibly.
Try and get some home balance again. I do miss my children and the last 3 years have been hard for them too, they miss their Mum and she is wanting her babies back! Need to spend as much time with them as i can.
So there it is. The stars are realigned and i’m looking forward to 2015. Let the simple times roll 🙂
Sharron x
I’m sorry about your loss! I lost my Mom to pancreatic cancer just over 1.5 years ago. Miss her everyday. Short and sharp is one way to put it. We were one day short of 5 months from diagnosis to the end.
It’s just one day at a time and one foot in front of the other. It gets a little better everyday. My thoughts are with you.
P.S. I also followed over from FG. ?