Day 29: The Smile

Once you have achieved your goal the first thing your probably going to do is.....

Smile

There is nothing like looking at something and having this peaceful happy feeling just overwhelm your body and all that we can see of it is that smile!

Source: Uploaded by user via Eddie on Pinterest

A smile can change somebodies day! Smiles are extremely contagious!! So Smile!!

You did it!!!



Day 28: The Adjustment

The adjustment will be a hard part!!! As if going through all the changes wasn't enough!

Adjusting to a different life, setting, place, person, baby, job is a little weird and awkward at first but you will adjust!!

Like anything in life you just have to give it time!!

“Life at any time can become difficult: life at any time can become easy. It all depends upon how one adjusts oneself to life.”

                      ~Unknown~

Don't get discouraged and think that all of this change was for nothing because it wasn't!!

Hopefully you will feel like I do.....

Happy

Relaxed

Better

Weight has lifted off my shoulders

Fresh

At Ease

Different but yet the Same

Excited

Anxious

Nervous

Calm

Glad

Whatever it is that you wanted to change in your life......whatever that feeling you have may be just know the adjusting period is temporary and you will get use to this new life that.....

 you've built!!

Day 27: The Breakdowns

Ohh my!! I know this subject way too much!!

I am such a nervous wreck here lately.....all this change in my life is at times so overwhelming and stressful!!

I have been working part time at a hotel here in Columbus, Ohio and as if working part time wasn't hard enough my hours got cut even more so now trying to move save up for rent and moving expenses has become much more harder!!

I literally called my sister crying my eyes out because I didn't know how I was going to be able to do it!!

At that point I was ready to just give up!!

But she gave me some good advice and really made me feel like I really wasn't crazy....this is normal!!

You have your breakdowns just as normal as you have happiness!!

Its just part of the process!!

I feel like when your doing great and everything is planned out and ready then life throws something at you to knock you back to reality!

Life is hard!!

You just have to take everything thats thrown at you and deal with it!! What doesn't kill you makes you stronger right????

Sometimes you just need a good cry...in that case cry it out ladies who cares!!!! I cried to my sister for a good 20-30min. after that phone call I felt soo much better!!

Breakdowns are going to happen its inevitable its just how you deal with them!!

All of these things are temporary just pick yourself up and continue moving forward!!!

Day 26: The Heartache

Heartache is kinda a hard one!!!

For me a lot of my friends and family are experiencing heartache with my fresh start...
Im moving 3hrs away from Alyssa's best friend, Alyssa's Aunt & Uncle, my Mom, my Dad, 2 of my Aunts and all of my friends!!!
Im moving 4hrs away from Alyssas dad and her Grandma!
Im moving 5hrs away from my Grandma and Grandpa, and 3 of my Uncles!!

It will be very wierd adjusting to life in KY without any of these people!!

Not having all my family there and not being able to just jump in the car and go to the mall with my friends is going to be hard but I have to look forward and look at how much this move is really going to help Alyssa & I

It will hurt some people but they have to understand this move is not to hurt them its to make our life better!!

If they loved you and were true friends they would understand that and be happy!!

I take things too personal I have all my life so this move has been hard on me but I really have to stay positive and continue to look at the outcome!!

This is about Alyssa & I.....our future.....our life!!!

Take the heartache and help people understand.......
Change is Good!!!

Day 25: The Funks

So here lately I have been in a FUNK.......packing is soo hard I just don't want to do it

Going through everything and packing everything it is just so blah!!

I dont know it's hard because I want to go out and spend time with my friends since Im moving in literally 1 week but theres still sooo much to do!!

Sometimes people experience this little funk...I actually experience this during the Winter...
you know when its cold and snowy and really yucky outside you just want to stay inside and do absolutely nothing!!

Yea thats kinda how I feel right now...moving is hardwork!!!

But I have to push through it.....

I just tell myself if I can pack 5 more boxes I will call it a night
or
the more I pack now the less I will have to pack next week!!

I kinda sike myself up so that it motivates me to pack more and more.....I pack a little bit everyday!!

You can do the same (whatever it is your trying to achieve) if your having an off day just remember why your doing this in the first place!!

Im packing so I can move and start fresh!!

So to me all of this packing will make my move a lot easier!!

Amp yourself up and just shake off this funk!!!

Day 24: The Pick Me Ups

Pick Me Ups are amazing!!

I like to have these regularly just because they make me feel good!

It really can be anything!!
I love....
Apple Cider & Powdered Donuts!  
Milk & Cookies! 
Popcorn & Milk!
Movie Night!
Hot Chocolate!

Just something nice, simple and fun for myself!!

I also do these things when Alyssa has a good day we cuddle up in bed and watch a movie or TV Show while eating a special snack!!

Its times like these that make everything worth it!

Everything in life happens for a reason we have our good days where we are so thankful for everything and anything that happens in our life.........

Then we have our bad days where we question everything and anything that is happening in our lives!

Just know that bad days will come and try to knock you down but get back up and keep at it!

Your never going to accomplish anything if you keep giving up!

I personally think that's why Pick Me Ups are soo good!!
 

Day 23: The Mistakes

Now we are all going to make mistakes during and even after this process but the main thing is that we learn from our mistakes so that way when we know what to do the next time!!

Stay positive is key!!

I have learned from the past not to be so inviting...by that I mean I trust people way to easy and let people into my home!

I try to be very hospitable and polite but in the end it tends to butt me in the rear so now I have learned to have my guards up and not trust just any joe schmoe!

My very first apartment that I ever had I became friends with a couple people in my complex and it ended up that my apartment got broken into multiple times! It was very unfortunate and they never caught the person that did it!

So now moving away from friends & family is already me stepping out of my comfort zone but also getting my own apartment again! I am more nervous this time around because now I have Alyssa but at the same time I am being way more cautious too of where I am living!!

In the past I got a cheap but nice apartment which is probably the main reason my apartment got broken into because of the area I lived in!

So now moving forward I am paying more in rent and moving into a nice area that is more safe and secure!

I am stepping out of my comfort zone and also taken past mistakes into consideration so history wont repeat itself!!

Making mistakes in my life has really made me who I am today!!

Just take your mistakes and learn from them!!

Day 22: The Needs

Yesterday I spoke about The Wants and so today I will speak about "The Needs"

The needs-the necessary- the have to haves!!

Don't get the wants and needs mixed up!! This is very important!

In my case...do I need a new toaster or do I want a new toaster??

Is it crucial for Alyssa & I to have a toaster??? No so that would be classified as a want for me!

Something that we can not live without!!! Something that we use day to day that is a need!

Toilet paper is essential!!!!  Shower curtain!!! Towels!! 

These things make it very easy to live day to day without these would we die??? No but it would be very hard to keep up with daily hygiene    hehe    :)  I would like to think toilet paper would be a have to have :)

During this process you need to look ahead and really try to figure out what it is that you need out of this!!

How is the outcome going to affect your life? How is the outcome going to help you?

What do you really need from all of these changes in your life?

Day 21: The Wants

Everybody wants what they can't have....we have all heard that!

But it is soo true!!!

For me....I am moving so I want all of these really cute decorations for my new apartment as well as new bedding...new sofa and living room furniture....new kitchen applianes!! I could go on and on!!

But financially its not reality for me to get everything that I want!!

When starting over you need to determine what it is you really want...look at the BIG picture!!

Then come back down to reality....

I want a safe home for Alyssa......I want a nice bed and nice furniture.....the essentials I need to prepare food for Alyssa!!

I want what is absolutely neccesary!!!

I want to be able to provide for my family without struggle!!

The wants!!

Really sit down and think about what it is you want from all of this change in your life!!

Day 20: The Stress

Ugh Stress!!

Stress is such a horrible feeling!! I don't handle stress very well....whenever I get stressed out I get very irritable and anxious and panicky I literally start to freak out!! I just get to the point where I feel like...
I am so overwhelmed I could explode!!

But I think that's somewhat normal especially with moving!! Moving is such a stressful thing!!

Actually these feelings come along with anything really starting High School or even just a new school...first football game...or cheer leading try outs!!

Starting college or even graduating from college!

These are milestones in our lives that cause of us some type of stress or discomfort!!

Change!!!

Change causes stress and discomfort!!!

Its okay to feel a little bit of stress but we have to realize what it is we are getting stressed about and find the problem Why is this bothering me this much? How is this affecting me??

Its really not healthy to get stressed out like I do but I always have to figure out why Im getting so stressed out and then go from there! It helps me deal without a lot of problems! Just lay everything out on the table and find the positive in it that way your not so stressed...or just do something that relieves your stress until every passes both are good things!!

Find a healthy way to deal with the stress in your life!!

Day 19: The Feeling

Feeling!!!

You are going to experience so many different feelings during this process that you will probably think your bi-polar by the end!!!

Trust me this is all normal!!

This past week has been a struggle for me......

A situation at work resulted in me getting some hours taken away from me therefore I started to panic about my finances!! I literally called my sister crying I was doubting this whole process and doubting moving!!

I don't handle stress very well so that probably didnt help!!

I felt like I was going to have a panic attack! Thinking of all the expenses that I would need to come up with just to move was stressing me out so much and then getting my hours cut at work just pushed me over the edge!!

I was so stressed my eye was twitching all night I felt like a crazy woman!!

But then I calmed down and started looking at everything and in very small miraculous ways things started panning out....a girl at work called off so I was able to go in!! Now Im not as stressed as I was because I know that I can do it!! Its going to be hard but nobody said it was going to be easy!!

All of these emotions are completely normal.....
Happy
Stressed
Sad
Exhausted
Excited
Nervous
Anxious

You just have to find a way to control your feelings so you dont blow up!!

I eat popcorn and watch a movie!! :)

Hey it works!!! Something about all that butter just makes me feel a lot better!!!   :)

Day 18: The Fear

Dont ever let fear get in the way of what you want to do!!

If you did you would probably never leave your house...I know I wouldn't!!!

There was a time in my life when I was very fearful......I lived alone and my apartment got broken into 4 times in a 2 month span.....but here I am moving 3 hours away from everything I know and living in my own apartment with my daughter!!

Sometimes you just have to take your fear and throw it out of the window!! You have this one life to live and if you let fear control it.....it will be a horrible life lonely and depressing

(im guessing)

Let Go and Let God

Thats what one of my friends tell me all the time!

Its a way of saying just let go and be free what happens happens you just take the cards that were dealt to you and try and find a play!!

Be fearless!!

Day 17: The Emotion

Emotions are so hard anyway then to tack on changes and nerves...it makes everything worse especially if its that time!!

But anyways....

You really have to set yourself up for failure at times so that you won't get too high up and give your hopes up!

There will be struggles and there will be hard times but thats why emotionally you have to think of the worst before the great!

If you think positive about anything and everything your going to fall real hard and it may knock you off not only your motivation but your plan!

You just have to know that in life you get told NO a lot more than you get told YES......but eventually somebody will say YES!!

You just have to toughen up your emotions and be ready for all challenges!!!

Day 16: The Belief

Believing has a lot to do with this processl.....

You have to believe in your heart that you can do it!!

You can make the changes in your life to start fresh!

Sometimes its more of a need than a want so that makes believing in yourself more important!!

A lot of Disney movies teach us about believing...Alice In Wonderland for instance..

Alice had to believe that she was the "right" Alice!

Believe in yourself and you will go far!

Day 15: The Results

This section will be very short.....

Results are something that come together closer to the end but part of this process is figuring out what it is you want to happen by doing all of this.

What the end result will be.

Sometimes its hard to say what the end result will be until you get there but you just have to have some kind of idea of what your trying to accomplish!

By preparing yourself for the results your allowing yourself to see what you can do and it helps you to stay positive and that helps to keep your motivation up!!

So plan out your results!!

Day 14: The Plan

Planning is very hard to do when you don't exactly know where your headed!! For instance....

I am moving to Kentucky, but I do not live in Kentucky so trying to find an apartment is stressful because I dont know the "good" and "bad" parts of town!
Thankfully my sister lives there so she has been helping and guiding me!

I definitely understand it is very hard to get a "plan" in order when things are still up in the air!

But its a great idea to have some sort of plan.......

I have a daughter so I need to get a sitter in order and talk about scheduling or costs.

I have to plan out what type of job I want according to the bills and rent I will have to pay...make sure your budget works and you can afford everything

I will also need to send out my resume and try and get a job before I move there that way there are no large gaps between paychecks!

You need to plan out what it is your trying to do and how your going to do it!!

It is hard at first but just lay everything out on the table and you will soon find the right spots!!

Day 13: The Change

Change is such a refreshing, new, and positive thing!! I enjoy change in my life very often!

Even if it's just a new hair color or even just a new hairstyle

Rearranging furniture, or buying new furniture

Change comes in many different ways!

After you change something it either works for you or it doesn't!! Its really up to you to decide!

Sometimes change is short term or long term it can be temporary just to switch things up!

Sometimes the key to a fresh start is solely based on the change!!

Example:

For me I am choosing to move 200 miles away from my friends & family!!

I need a change, a fresh start!!

For me this is about the excitement, the scenary, the people, and just a whole new experience! Sometimes thats all you need is a new place its like a breath of fresh air!!

I am very excited about this change and you should be just as excited with the change in your life!!

Day 12: The Challenge

Most people like a "challenge" they like the thrill!!

In a challenge your fighting for whats at the end!!

In your personal life that could be a huge thing or it could just be crossing a finish line but atleast the one feeling that stays the same is the fact that you finished someting!!

You did it!!

I have never did any type of run or race before but Ive always wanted to so I talked my mom into doing a 5k with me! It was very fun and although I actually did not run I walked and jogged and made it across that finish line!! It felt so good to know that I finished that I really did it!!

A since of accomplishment!!

When you are challenged it gives you a since of satisfaction that makes you happy!

The steps to a fresh start is the same thing you are challenging yourself and whats at the finish line will be worth all the fight!!

Day 11: The Power

In order to succeed with a fresh start or change you have to have the power!!

Wikipedia defines Power as:

Power- "Ability to do or act; capability of doing or accomplishing something."

It pretty much sums it all up in the definition......."capability of doing or accomplishing something!"

At this point I dont even know what else to say!!!

Power!!

Day 10: The Support

Support.....Support.....Support

Having a good support system is always a must!!

If you ever get discouraged...which you will
If you ever doubt yourself...which you will

You need people around you that will help keep you motivated and will push you and support you to the very end!!

It is very important that you do not surround yourself with negativity!!

I always seem to pick out the bad in everything and I have my sister here to help me think positive what if this happens...bad thoughts.....my sister says well what if this happens....good thoughts......

There are always 2 sides to something Good or Bad

I have always found that thinking of the bad-negative outcome will allow that outcome to come true so if you think of the good-positive outcome then thats what it will be!!

Stay motivated and stay strong and with the right support system you can do anything!!!

Day 9: The Time

Timing is so important!!

Most would say timing is everything!

Example:
You wouldn't propose to your girlfriend/boyfriend during or right after a big fight...you would wait until you felt your relationship was strongest then pop the question. Right?

Well in my case....I wanted to move January 2013 kick off the new year with a fresh start but I had to sit down and really think of this January is such a slow period for hotels because nobody is really traveling so I bumped my moving date back to November 2012 because I figured more places would be hiring around the holidays!!

Timing!

I know that some times change happens and its out of your hands or happens when it happens but you have to think about the next steps to come think of timing and think is this the right time to.......

Financially is it time to.......Emotionally......Physically....whatever the case may be

Reality hurts sometimes so make sure you have the time frame of everything in place so it will not risk the end result!!

Day 8: The Attitude

Attitude!! We've all got it!!

When I went to high school my class was made up of 10 amazing girls!! Yes all girls!!  My teacher would always tell us if 1 person comes in here with a bad attitude it will infect the entire class!!

Probably because our class was hormonal and menstrual and made up of 10 teenage girls!! That was an accident waiting to happen!!

But all jokes aside I really do believe that!

Even if you are discouraged throughout this process you need to keep your head up high and stay positive!!

Dont be hard on yourself.....dont bring yourself down just keep your good attitude and push yourself to the end!

It is very important that you have a good attitude!

If you look at what you want to change and know that it'll make you happy and be sooo worth it in the end then just think about the end result and how it will affect you!!

Keep that attitude and you will succeed!!!

Day 7: The Willingness

Are you willing to change?

Most people would say YES! right off the bat but then during the process they would either lose confidence or lose faith.

If they dont see the outcome they want right away its like they give up but if they would just work harder and work towards what they want they would realize that being willing to not only change but accept the change is the entire process of this journey!

I strongly believe that change is very good for people but changing is one of the hardest things to do!

Be willing!!!

Be willing to stick with it...be willing to achieve it.....be willing to do it!!!

You have to be willing!!

Day 6: The Commitment

Dedication is such a big part of all of this you have to be dedicated!! At the same time you also have to be committed!!

If your not committed to the changes you need to make in your life then you will never succeed! You will never be able to finish what you've started!!

Commitment:  An obligation, a promise

"A committed relationship is an interpersonal relationship based upon a mutually agreed-upon commitment to one another involving exclusivity, honesty, openness, or some other agreed-upon behavior. Forms of committed relationships are: close friendship, courtship, long-term relationships (LTR), engagement, marriage, polyamory, and civil unions."
Reference used from Wikipedia

It is easier to be committed to a spouse or loved one but the same emotion is there for "change"

You have to be open and honest with yourself!! 

Just the same as with a relationship the more effort you put in the better the outcome!!

Have Commitment....Make that promise or obligation to yourself!!

Day 5: The Dedication

In order to succeed in a fresh start you have to have dedication!

You have to know that this is what you want to do!

You can not start changes to your life and then quit when it gets hard or difficult!

There will be hard times but there will also be easy times! You have to allow yourself to push through everything! Almost always there are more positive than negative! Be Strong!!

Keep telling yourself after the rain comes a rainbow!

It will be worth it in the end!

All the reasons that push you to make a fresh start are also the reasons to keep you going!

Like I said everybody is going through different excperiences so its hard to pinpoint what will work for you but just know it will work out!

When you have dedicatoin for something its like you strive to see not only the results but the outocme you want!

What you see is what you get!!

Stay dedicated!!

Day 4: The New Beginning

The New Beginning could be a ton of different things not just moving! I talk a lot about moving in my posts because thats what Im going through! But all around the world people are experienceing tons of different situations or experiences!

Some of which are death, divorce, marriage, birth, graduation, enrollment....all of which are "fresh starts"

Although some of these are hard to deal with at the same time you just have to know that all things happen for a reason!!

Thesaurus uses a couple different words to define a "Fresh Start"

- A Clean Slate
- A New Beginning
- Square One
- A Starting Point

All of which apply to multiple situations!!

For me moving is my "clean slate" my "new beginning" my "starting point"

Its a way for me to start over!

Don't loose hope this is just the beginning for us!!

Day 3: The News

Once you've made your decision the second hardest part is.....telling everybody the news!!

Its like you just started a game of 20 Questions!!

Well what are you going to do? Do you have a job lined up? Where are you going to stay?

You don't always have a specific plan...but people don't really jump for joy when they hear you say...

"Well Im not 100% sure yet, I dont know, I will just play it by year when I get down there"

People look at you with that horror face!! I then know that in their minds they are really saying....

"How do you not know? How can you not have a plan? So your just going to pack up Alyssa and just move there without any direction?

They then start second guessing your parenting skills     

Okay that last one was a joke!!   :  )

Really though, Its like you have to sit there and tell every single person what has inspired you to move to Kentucky! Sometimes its just a feeling or a thought, no real particular reason or inspiration!!

Why is it so difficult to tell people??

For me.....I always feel the need to get "approval" from everybody so when I tell somebody and they react with such negatively then it makes me second my own decision!!

Once again Im "at war" with myself!!

Cant a girl long for something different?

People can either be happy or sad....in my book!

If your sad please tell me why your sad?      I can think of solutions!

If you happy then thank you for your happiness and support!!

This whole experience is definitely both happy and sad but dont let this "stage" defeat you or break your spirits! The tough part is over right???

Your not going to satisfy everybody so stop trying too!!

Day 2: The Decision

To make a decision on your own is rough.....but to make a decision when it involves another person is probably the hardest thing to do!!

Its almost as if your "at war" with yourself!!

Is this the right choice? Am I doing this for me? What if it doesn't workout? What if I don't get the result I was hoping for?

Well I battle these questions all the time! Almost everyday!!

My decision to move not only me but my daughter 3 hours away from my parents...from my friends...from my "support" its a hard thing!

But you have to make sure that you want this and for the right reasons!!

Are there even "right" reasons?? Who knows!!

After months and months of thinking things over I finally made this hard, rough, difficult decision!!

Ever since I made the decision its like weight has been lifted off my shoulders!!

Thats how I know its the "right" move for me and my daughter!!

When you can just sit back and relax and just know that your doing the right thing!!

When you are at ease with your decision that you.......yourself made for your family and for yourself......thats the right reason!!

It took me a very long time to realize what I wanted and what I needed to do!

I thought about this day in and day out my family would say I was a nervous wreck!! But decisions are very hard to make!

Or Im just very hard at making them!!

Even so its a big step.....you have to make sure that its a step that your willing to take before you take it!

I just know that when I think about moving to Kentucky it just feels right....to me!!!

As long as I am able to take care and support my daughter is there really a "wrong" reason?

Day 1: The Thought

The thought of a starting over, a new beginning, something new, or a fresh start!

Those may sound scary to some but exciting to others!

To me.....well its exactly what Im looking for!!

Living in my life right now I just feel a whole mess of emotions!

But the 1 emotion that Im most concerned with is the feeling I get when Im in Louisville, KY!

I feel free!! I feel at ease! I feel somewhat at home! I get that whole "welcome" feeling!

Thats when I started thinking...

Could I do this?? Is this reality for me? For right now?

1 thought.......sometimes thats all you need....then your mind just starts taking you places you never thought you'd be!!

It just starts swirling around like a paper bag in the wind!!

That 1 single thought that someday I could live in Kentucky!!

Well.......thats what got me here!!