resting

Reset days

Every since I have moved I have felt messy headed. I am just now figuring out my routine and trying to get my life in order. It’s always a process when you move and I am just glad to finally be settling.

The last couple days I have been able to slow down. I have been off work and the weather has been cloudy, chilly and rainy. On these days, I’m able to really reset and get my mind in order before the work week.

When your body and mind need rest, it’s important to give it to them. Otherwise, it will catch up with you. Your body will let you know and you’ll crash. I’m enjoying the time I have to stay inside and read my book.

– Sammy J.

4/22/2023 & 4/23/2023

The last couple days have been good. I have been focusing on my healing journey. Using the time I have to read and get things done; whether that be around the house or just self care.

Using my time wisely had been important to me. I want to use the time I have filling my head and heart with the things that glorify God.. things that are good for me.

Scrolling on social media, laying in bed longer (all day) and isolating myself is NOT good for me. I notice my mental health declines when I do those things and I am working on figuring out what things ARE good for me.

Some current things (the list is growing by the day): Reading, writing, doing chores, making my bed, getting up when my alarm goes off, making sure I eat and staying active.

If I keep myself busy, I don’t allow my mind to go to a dark place.

This is your sign to look at the things around you. Things that you’re doing in your life and ask yourself “Are these things good for me?” – if the answer is “No”, cut them out. Take the time to adjust your routine, add things that make you happy and fill you with joy. Things that make you feel confident and self-full.

You got this.

– Sammy J.

4/20/2023

Today was a much better day.

Bad days only last 24 hours and then you can always start fresh.

Even though my work day was a bit challenging, I was able to get through it. I rarely had anxiety and that alone is success! I don’t have much else to say other than forgive yourself. Allow yourself to have great days. You deserve it.

– Sammy J.

4/19/2023

A little late on posting but 4/19 was a tough one. I have really struggled with independence and doing things for myself. By myself.

For years, I have been beaten down. I felt I couldn’t be alone. I was told I couldn’t do anything without other people.

I wanted my day off to be about getting my mind right and getting out of my comfort zone.

What did I find out?

It does not take 24 hours.

I can’t just wake up and do all these things I want to do or be independent all at once. It doesn’t work like that.

Sure I went shopping, I went on a walk, I even did all my laundry I have been putting off for MONTHS; and it helped my mental state. But when it came down to it… I wanted someone there. I felt like I needed someone there. Specifically one person. I wanted to tear myself down and tell myself I wasn’t worth it. That I wasn’t as independent as I thought I was.

But I can’t snap my fingers and make it all better at once. It takes time. I realized I have to take baby steps.

Like I always say… one day at a time.

– Sammy J.

4/18/2023

Today was a beautiful day in Northeast Georgia. Thank you God for allowing me to live another day and experience life.

It was a day full of adventures and memories being made with my best friend.

We take a lot of things for granted. The air outside, the sunshine, even the clothes we wear. We get so caught up in the things we don’t have, we miss and forget about all the things we do have.

Today I maybe took out my phone 5 times, a couple of them to take pictures. Today I tried living in the moment. That’s one thing I want to work on… living in the present. Stop trying to look back at my past or even in the future. Because truth be told the future is NOW.

Thank you for reading.

– Sammy J.

Relection on 2022

At the end of 2021, I was in a completely different situation than where I am now. I was so unhappy with my life. It was an absolute struggle everyday getting up and getting through the day. Heading into 2022, I had a goal to be more patient with myself. I wanted to give myself the love and self care I deserved. Jesus bled for our sins so that we can be forgiven and save us from the enemy. That includes ourselves.

I wanted to be selfish. It was really hard to do that when life changed and God allowed a door to close that I wasn’t sure I wanted to close. I fought and fought. I fought with God. I was in denial of the life path He was putting me on. What He was placing in my life and taking out of my life. He spoke to me clearly, “Sammy, you must trust me.”

That’s when I gave in. I was so tired of fighting. Exhausted. I gave it ALL to Him. I gave the anxiety, depression, stress, confusion, and weight all to God. Because HE has ALL power. As much as I want to be so negative about this year, I can’t.

I can’t be. That’s because this was one of the most important years of my life.

This year taught be how to adapt to change. This year taught me I am stronger than I give myself credit for. This year taught me I am NOT alone and that it is completely okay to ask for help. This year taught me I am not in control. This year taught me that I will NEVER allow someone to take away my peace or worth. This year taught me I CAN BE INDEPENDENT and I do not “need” anybody to accomplish what I want to. It also taught me, sometimes God places people in your life you would have never seen coming.

I gained understanding, knowledge, independence, hope, responsibility, freedom, confidence and so so much more.

As I go into 2023, I want to be more intentional. I want to dive deeper into the Word. I want to continue learning more about who I truly am. I want to be easy on myself, give myself grace. I want to continue my journey with Christ. Some more “simple” goals are: I want to learn more recipes so I can cook more, get outside more and write more.

Sure this year was full of trials, mistakes, changes, and more but it was truly one I will never forget. One that transformed my life, gave me peace and hope again.

If you have made it this far in reading, thank you. I hope that you can see the good in this year even if it was a tough one. ❤

Resting

One of the things I have been focused on lately is resting. Whether that be when I’m tired, my body is tired, my mind is tired or I need to take a break. I have realized taking care of my body, soul and mind is VERY important. In the past it has been tough for me to take the time to rest because I feel guilty for doing so. But lately I have been trying to listen to when my body just needs a break.

We all should be taking better care of our body. We should all listen to our body when it gets tired. There will be days when I am off work and I’m just too exhausted to do anything. I tell myself that it is okay if all I accomplish that day is putting pants on; that it is completely fine to lay in bed for hours and be a bum. Our body deserves that some days.

We have to listen to our body’s needs. If we don’t, we could end up causing stress on ourselves which causes more issues than you realize. We could make ourselves overtired and exhausted.

Take care of yourself. You only have one life. One body. You can’t be there for the ones you love if you can’t even take care of yourself. Put yourself as a priority whether that means self care or rest.

Don’t ever feel guilty for taking care of yourself. ❤

– S