The beginning of a new year is always full of resolutions, goals, diets and people resolving to “start over”… and I guess this year I’m jumping on the bandwagon and starting fresh myself. I’m not a huge fan of resolutions, because honestly, I forget about them a few weeks or months into the year. This year; however, I am making a conscious EFFORT, instead of a resolution, to conquer STRESS!
Yesterday marked the beginning of a new chapter for me. I turned in my resignation at my job as Social Media Manger for Cumberland Heights. I have been in that position for a little over 2 years now, and it has been a wonderful opportunity that has allowed me the flexibility I needed and wonderful teammates I now call friends. But all good things must come to an end. Yesterday was just one step, amongst many, in my efforts to conquer stress.
It started in October after we visited our Lyme doctor in Philadelphia. He sat me down and basically said that the stress and anxiety I am experiencing, putting on myself or not able to control (because of life circumstances), was creating overproduction and dysregulation of cortisol that is affecting my health. He said my body is in “fight or flight” mode most of the time because of this, and then gave me a list of strategies and suggestions on ways to manage stress going forward. But like everything, it takes time and figuring out what works best for me.
I began taking inventory of things in my life that contribute to my stress and anxiety levels. I’ve made a few changes to eliminate, or at the least recognize, the small things that I can control, while also recognizing the things I cannot control (insert Serenity Prayer). I’ve also been trying to learn new ways to cope or react during times of high stress.
As Thanksgiving approached I wanted to go into the holiday season with as little pressure and stress as possible, so that I could be present, enjoy the time with family and make memories with the boys. I wanted to experience the true beauty of the holiday, instead of holding my breathe just trying to survive it. And I have to say, this may have been the best Christmas holiday to date!
Like all things in life, the rollercoaster must come down at some point, and that started on New Year’s Eve when the stomach bug hit our whole house. It’s been a rough start to the new year, and with mounting pressure of new goals, expectations and deadlines from my job, it all just seemed like too much to handle.
I’ve gone back and forth for almost a year now on whether working was the right thing for me and for our family. I’ve prayed for guidance for a long time about this. I’m not a quitter though and I hate letting people down – I want to be able to do it all (thank you Type A personality). So I’ve kept going, kept working and kept getting sicker.
It hit me like a ton of bricks on Wednesday night though. The stress and pressure that sometimes creeps in was too much. Once again, I prayed for a clear sign or answer from God as to what I should do? I hadn’t even contemplated not working in months, but in that instant I knew my working days were done (for now). I can’t explain it. I just had this overwhelming feeling that it was time to focus on ME, my health, my family, my faith.
So a new journey begins in 2018. While I’m sad to see that door close, I have peace about the decision and am excited to see what God has in store for our family in the weeks, months and year ahead!
Peace and blessings in 2018!
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen.
Faith, Hope, Love & Healing 