One year ago marks the most devastating day I’ve had in my 15 years of owning my own business. It was the day our property manager emailed us out of the blue to essentially say that we had to leave our Los Altos location, which meant closing our last of 4 brick and mortar locations.
I spiraled into a deep, dark depression. I could barely get out of bed. I was going through the motions of life in a haze.
I don’t share this to be Debbie Downer. I share this because a year later I can finally look back and appreciate what I went through and how I far I’ve come.
- What felt like the end was the beginning of something new and different.
- What felt like a door closing was a window opening.
- What felt like the worst thing that could happen was a blessing in disguise.
Cliche? Maybe. True? Definitely. We’ve all been through a lot these last few years. I’ve been as transparent about my journey as I can be because I want you to know you are not alone. I know many of your struggles and I’m sure there are many more that haven’t surfaced or haven’t been shared. There may also be things you are not yet ready to face.
What I do know is that each day is an opportunity to move forward. Our world and our culture celebrate the big leaps and splashy accomplishments. In reality, most days are about putting one foot in front of the other and doing a few things consistently to stay afloat. Reflecting, setting intentions and coming up with a reasonable plan that won’t lead you to burn out or quit are all important parts of the process.
I encourage you to take a moment to ponder the following questions:
- How are you feeling now compared to one year ago?
- How do you want to feel one year from now?
- What steps can you take now to set up systems that will get you there?
Spoiler alert: it’s not the big, expensive investments that will make a difference. It’s the little things you are willing to prioritize each and every day. For me, no matter how badly I was feeling, I prioritized nutritious food, quality sleep and stuck with my Blue Crew peeps. Many days it took all I had to muster up the energy to show up on my mat…and I always felt better after. This routine also helped me cope with all the other challenges that 2023 presented, including caring for my terminally ill brother.
I know I say this all the time, but I really am grateful for this community. You have helped me through so much, and I hope the presence of the Blue Crew has enhanced your life as well.
Wishing you a healthful holiday season.
