There are 172 days left in the year to start doing more of the things that you love or want to explore. Here are some of the things I have made time for so far this year that delight me.

1. I began teaching and consulting again with individuals and small businesses.
2. I visited New York with my daughter and friend. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. I worked to redesign my blog.
4.  I spent several weeks in Cape San Blas, Florida, and Fredericksburg, Texas.
5. Initiated weekly coffee breaks or lunches with my friends to stay connected.

6. Spent time on the water kayaking and fishing.
7. Changed my diet and began exercising.
8. Saw the Broadway show Hamilton in Houston.

9. I love art and crafts and I began learning how to bead necklaces.
10. Visited Longhorn Caverns State Park.
11. I took Mom to enjoy a few wineries in the Texas Hill Country.
12. We went to the horse races in Fredericksburg, TX.

It sounds grand, doesn’t it? These trips and activities all came about out of a need for self-care, preservation, and the desire to reshape my life. Achieving these personal milestones didn’t happen because I wished them into existence or won the lottery. They have required focus, sacrifice, support, and acceptance.

The first step was the focus. I had to get clear on what I wanted, why I wanted it, and when I wanted it to happen. Then it had to go on my calendar. This was especially true for the travel plans to allow for the logistics of family and work arrangements. I didn’t keep it so regimented that it kept me from having an adventure or two. For example, I want to visit State Parks on a regular basis and explore my surroundings; this is how the trips to the Longhorn State Park, the horseraces, and wineries happened while I was in Fredericksburg, Texas helping out my mom. What is on your list of desires? Get your calendar out and plan something that you’d like to do in the next thirty days.

The second step was making sacrifices. They aren’t tremendous sacrifices, and you could argue that since I am doing the things that I genuinely want to do, they aren’t exactly sacrifices. But as I started on this journey, I did have to make some serious changes, and they feel a little bit like self-denial. Let’s start with sleep. Getting up a little earlier or staying up a little later are needed most days to fit exercise, crafting, exploring, and writing into my day. Food has been another significant change. Going on a Ketosis Meal Plan means giving up pasta, bread, rice, and most of my go-to comfort foods and learning a new way to prepare my menu. What will you have to give up to get more of the things you want in your life?

The third part has been having the support of my family and close friends. They could have laughed at me or sabotaged my efforts when I changed my diet. My husband could tell me I need to spend more time taking care of the house and less time trying to write a blog or learning how to bead necklaces. My family could pout and be passive aggressive about my absence while I’m traveling. I am fortunate to have my entire family on my side, but if you don’t have that, find at least one cheerleader to help you keep moving forward.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fourth step has been a big one, acceptance. It began with self-acceptance and acknowledging my needs. Then it moved onto accepting that things are going to have to change and that I simply have to start making things happen. Next, it was accepting that some things were going to get left undone and other things left behind while pursuing new dreams. Finally, I had to accept help in many forms to kick start my plans. This seems like a no-brainer, but for a type-A mom and business leader, who is used to being in charge, and the person everyone else looks to for support it feels strange at first. What areas of your life do you need to seek acceptance?

I plan on continuing my journey to reshape my life this year by delving deeper into the things that enrich my life. I’m moving beyond helping my sphere of influence to build their real estate businesses and starting to reach out to other entrepreneurs and small business owners seeking new consulting opportunities. I have made plans for a trip to the Frio River in October and hopefully, I’ll get into the next session of Texas Parks and Wildlife Becoming an Outdoors Woman event. I’ve made it beyond sixty days on my Keto lifestyle plan and started to enjoy my workout times.

How are you nurturing and enriching your life? Share two things that you want to start doing before the year is over in the comments section. Next, pick one of them and make some time on your calendar to get started.