Thank you!
First, before I get into how I am handling my stress right now,
I want to thank all of you who took the time to fill out the survey I
sent out a couple of weeks ago. For those of you who missed it, you can
still give your input on upcoming content and training etc. I would be very grateful!
The surveys
are anonymous, unless you want to put your name in one of the comments
fields. The surveys so far have been very helpful, and I am excited to
start acting on your suggestions!
To
take the survey, just click the button below, and as a special than
you, besides my heart felt gratitude, you will receive a 20% off coupon for your next order at TheSuccessChoice.com. |
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The world and our lives have changed so much in such a short time. In the survey, many of you said you were feeling a lot of stress and anxiety over the current world events. With the pandemic, riots, and other world issues, many of us feel isolated, afraid, and uncertain.
There is so much outside of our control, we can feel helpless.
I know for me personally, when I am feeling overwhelmed by my emotions, I like to take control of something, and work on a project.
A couple of years ago I unexpectedly lost both my parents 7 weeks apart. On top of dealing with my grief, after my mother's death, I needed to write her eulogy, a talk, deal with the estate, etc.
I chose this time to refinish my kitchen table and chairs. My husband walked in as I was painting and said, "you don't have time for this."
I said, "Honey, I HAVE to do this. I have to take control of something, finish a project, see some progress in my life.
It was very therapeutic and helpful for me to have a creative outlet for my emotions that were overwhelming me.
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This year, I again found myself feeling immobilized by my emotions. While I didn't have answers for solving the problems in the world, I needed to feel a semblance of control in my corner of the universe.
First, I
decided to challenge myself to eating healthier. Like so many others, being stuck at home led
to snacking way too much. My daughter
and I would make “treats” that were fun, but less than healthy. As the weeks of
quarantine piled up, so did the weight.
For the
month of July, I made the goal to eat healthier. I decided to have half each plate fruits and/or
vegetables, and to add more plant-based meals into my diet. I posted my meals on Instagram
(@joyinjourneytoday) with the hashtag #successchoicehealth. You can read about this journey HERE. While I haven’t been posting pictures every
day in August, I have continued my healthy eating. Besides feeling better, I have lost 10 lbs.
so far 😊. |
| | Next, I
decided to improve something that was bothering me and draining my energy - my
back porch. I took on refinishing some
furniture, adding lighting, and overall transforming my back porch. Read about this project and see the before
and after pictures HERE.
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| | One more project this summer. Years ago I got into quilting. I made each of our
kids quilts. My family is a his, mine,
and ours family, and making quilts for our kids was one way for me to
bond with
them.
One Valentine’s Day, I made them each a patchwork pillow. Fast forward about 18 years. I was at my step
daughters
house helping her get some things set up before she has her first baby. I saw
the patchwork pillow I had made so many years before. I was surprised
she had saved it. It was a patchwork flower. She said she was
saving it for her daughter. I decided to make her a baby quilt with similar
colors and bring in the flower motif.
She loved it! Here are pictures of the pillow and finished quilt.
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| | How are you
handling the uncertainty of these times?
Where can you take control? Could you benefit from diving into a project and expending some creative energy?
When you
take control in one area, your confidence grows, and it is easier to take
control in other areas. Improving in one area spills over into other areas.
Watch your email for upcoming challenges and ideas for getting back in control of our lives.
Sincerely, Pamela Henrie
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