Day 22 of 31 Day Blogging Challenge

Day 22 of 31 Day Blogging Challenge

Today is day 21 of 31 day blogging challenge. If you’ve been following me through this challenge, I appreciate it. You can read about my other posts by clicking here. The prompt for today is, the best thing to happen this year. Have you been participating in day 22 of 31 day blogging challenge?

The Best Thing To Happen This Year

Hmmm… I really kind of have to think about that one. Honestly, it has been investing in myself. Sometimes I feel like it may be a bit selfish, but I also know that it is something we all should be doing. There are many ways I’ve been investing in myself this year, and I have to admit that it is something I’m proud of.

I’ve invested in myself in many ways. The first one has been taking classes on blogging. I took a huge one in January, and really spent my month focused on that. It was really the catalyst that got my blog moving. I’ve taken several others as well along the way on different subjects related to my blog. The key for me has always been, never stop learning. If I could give any blogger advice, that is it. Never stop learning.

My tattoo has been an investment in myself. Y’all have heard me talk about it quite a bit before, and finishing it up is a big deal. Emotionally, it has been a really big deal to see it come closer to being complete. Because it is a reminder of how far I’ve come and where I am now. I still look at my arm when I accomplish something and I hear my best friend say he’s proud of me.

Meeting challenges that I’ve set for myself. Not even just meeting them, but exceeding them too. I had challenged myself to read a book each month this year and then review it in my blog. As of now, I’ve posted five in my blog. I have two more lined up for posting and I’m also working on reading another book now, and I’ve made a list of even more to read. I feel like I’m either overachieving or I’ve gone insane and willingly made far more work for myself. Although it may be a combination of the two.

I’ve made it a point to get out more, like seeing movies and just engaging more in life. That may sound stupid. Like how is going out to movies an investment in myself? I’ve never really been one to engage actively in wanting to go out. Nathan is always the one to push going out. I’m such a homebody these days.

Part of that is because my home was a place I wanted to escape for so long. I wasn’t comfortable in my home, or felt like I could relax. If I wanted to spend time with Nathan and without an audience and commentary, we had to leave. For the longest time after I removed that factor from my home, I just wanted to stay there because it was finally comfortable to me. Quiet too! I disengaged for a very long time, and this year has been my time to finally come back out.

When Nathan and I go to the movies, we now make it a point to visit the bookstore nearby when we are in the area every time. It has become our thing. We pick a movie and restaurant, and then make sure to allot time for a trip to the bookstore. I always ask if we can make a stop there.

I look back over the last year and a half or so, especially as summer approaches. Because it will be two years since my best friend died soon. That is crazy to think about. But I can see how much I disengaged with life for such a long time after that. I think it was for good reason, as I was trying to remove the toxic people in my life, followed by the grieving process.

I needed to take care of myself and heal from everything that had happened. Not just his death, but removing bad people from my life, figuring out who I could trust, nurturing those relationships. I gutted part of my house to get rid of memories, and that felt good. Reclaiming my space, so to speak.

During that time, it was easy to close myself off from most people and the outside world. This year I’ve put myself way outside of my comfort zone consistently. With my blog, with going out more, being as open and honest as I am. I can tell my story and help others. I figured out how to heal and re-introduce myself to the world again, so to speak.

People talk about self care like it’s a buzz word or phrase. There’s this idea that it is centered around pampering ourselves with a trip to the spa or shopping, or frivolous things that give the idea we are taking care of ourselves. But in all reality, it is the basics of taking care of ourselves. Health, fitness, getting out, engaging our minds, being social. Even simply eating right and drinking enough water. Self care is an investment in myself.

So that is the answer for me, taking time to invest in myself was the best thing to happen this year. Because I am a thousand times happier for doing it, and supported by everyone around me in that choice.

Discussion

What is the best thing to happen to you? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! Have you been following day 22 of 31 day blogging challenge? Are you participating in day 22 of 31 day blogging challenge? Let me know!