For some it’s a hobby, for some it’s a profession and for still others it’s a matter which they choose to ignore – and probably many other things to many other people.
However, I have learned recently that for me – its vital.
Personal growth and development for me is something I have to do. I must make time for it and I cannot let it fade into the background.
Maybe I should back up.
See, before the hurricane – I felt pretty secure. I was investing in my future both financially and by taking steps like reading and participating in online classes for self-improvement.
Then – Irma came. I freaked out. I cancelled my subscriptions to everything for fear that I was going to be without power for weeks and wouldn’t be able to access them anyways. Plus, I was scared that I would need the cash.
Normally I don’t watch TV, but now I didn’t have access to my online classes, so I jumped onto an online movie app. (I won’t mention names because I don’t really know how that works, legally) & started watching TV shows. Now, I know that it’s probably not a big deal for most people, but for me it is. I tend to get stuck on a TV show and binge watch. I take binge watching to a whole new level.
The result of all of this?
Within two weeks I had watched multiple movies and three seasons of two different shows. I went to work, came home, did the bare minimum and watched my shows. I got pretty depressed, I started reverting back to ‘old’ behaviors. Like isolating, bad eating habits and I bought a pack of cigarettes. After not smoking for almost 2 months.
Luckily, with the things that I have learned and the growth that I have experienced up until now – I was able to catch it before it went too far.
I talked to a couple friends and decided to get to the bottom of it. Why was I feeling this way?
I can trace it back to right before Irma. When I stopped trusting God, took the wheel back and stopped investing in myself.
I had stopped doing most of the things that I had worked so hard to implement, so of course I am going to revert to old behaviors and more ‘comfortable’ habits.
Orrin Woodward says, “Bad habits are easy to start and hard to quit, and good habits are hard to start and easy to quit.â€
Seems unfair, really. But the results from good habits are so worth it. It’s amazing how quickly my thinking changed and even my attitude and outlook on life – during the short ‘break’ I took from my good habits. But now that I have started practicing them again, I feel so much better.
I am so glad that we have the choice to learn, grow and become better people.
What does self-improvement mean to you?
How do you catch yourself when you are getting off track?
What are you going to improve about yourself this year?
XO, Jorjia