As we begin the new year each year, our minds are often in renewal mode.
In the past, I found that I had this magnified motivation to want to change so many things each year and would always start out with a bang! By the time the end of February rolled around, I would lose my momentum.
I also felt like in doing so, I would feel like what I was doing before wasn’t good enough, that I wasn’t trying hard enough. I don’t think that was the case, I think our minds just get easily distracted by things like … life.
I’m not saying I’m against goal setting. In fact, it’s something that we do as a family each year. We all four write down our goals, and then on January 1 of the next year, we look and see how we did. This year, I was able to check off most of my goals from last year, which was a great feeling. I think it was because they were simple, more realistic goals – building on the foundation I worked to put in place over the previous year.
I want to be at a place in my life where maybe I need to strive to make myself grow and better in some ways, but less of the thought of “I need a total overhaul each year.” I want the growth I make each year to have staying power, not just be fleeting. I think that is a waste of time and leaves us lacking confidence. Great things happen when we consistently keep promises to ourselves.
Take for example, a fitness goal. That would always be at the top of my list. I wanted to work out and build muscle because my muscles are so weak.
I would have this image of myself in my mind that wasn’t realistic for me because of my Muscular Dystrophy. So, I modified that. I made a promise to myself to exercise consistently in a way that works with my disability and doesn’t leave me feeling beat up each time.
Through years of trial and error, I have figured out the workouts that work best for me. I’ve maintained my goal weight for a couple of years now, stayed healthy and my mental state is much better. Sure, I would love to look like I did in my 20s, but I’m 49 years old! Things are different, but I can strive to be healthy, which I think is ultimately more important than a low number on a scale anyway. I want to keep walking as long as I can, so taking care of myself the best I can is all I can do.
My best is just that: my best. It doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s best. Comparing our reality with someone else’s reality isn’t a good starting point. That is a trap that can take us to a dark place.
This year, I have a few goals in mind, but mostly it’s a continuation of what I have started already. Continuing to build on my foundation. I think that in humbly, courageously following God’s path for me and stepping way outside of my comfort zone over the past year, I feel less of a need to overhaul my life. Instead, I will continue to listen and pay attention to the nudges I get to keep moving forward.
Until next time …
Amy Shinneman is a former National Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, disability blogger, wife, and mom of two boys. You can find her blog at humblycourageous.com and reach her on Instagram @ashinneman.