Gratitude for Consistency

I am grateful for keeping up with what I said I would keep up with. Consistency has brought me home to myself in a new way.

As of today, I've been walking for 147 days—and I'm proud of myself for not giving up and for making this practice a part of my daily life. Lately, I've been thinking about consistency when it comes to the relationship I have with myself. What I've realized is that I haven't kept most of the promises I've made over the years. I decided to change that when I started walking last September. Currently, it's cold here in Maryland. There's snow on the ground, and on the days I feel like I'd much rather be inside, I get myself up and out. Getting outside nudges me out of my head and into my body. Movement helps me to stop overthinking and start being present. Each step forward reminds me that I am here, and I am grateful for that. I've learned to make every moment that I'm given in nature a sacred one. Each daily opportunity to move my body allows me to see my steps as moments of peace, prayer, reflection, and curiosity. Walking is no longer a chore for me. It's embedded in my bones as an act of meditation. I can't imagine not going on my daily walk. Just like 147 days ago, I couldn't imagine going on daily walks.

The Moon today! So pretty.

This year, I am committed to learning new things and sticking with them. Me and my oldest daughter take pottery classes every Wednesday together after her therapy appointment. On Fridays, I go to a solo pottery class, and it's been the most fantastic thing to happen to my brain in a new creative way. Similar to walking, I never expected to fall so deeply in love with making pottery. It always felt like it wasn't for me. I would admire people and their work from afar on Instagram or YouTube, but I never thought I could actually learn the craft myself. The recollection I've come to recently is that a big part of my life has involved talking myself out of trying and doing things. And that stems from my childhood—being too scared to try, too unwilling to stick with things, and too intimidated by someone else who was better than me. I have decided that being inconsistent with my words isn't an option, especially when caring for myself and creating the life I want. Choosing to commit to doing things even if I'm bad at them, even if it's hard, and even if I don't want to try for whatever reason is how I am reclaiming my joy.

My oldest focused at the wheel, trimming her pot.

I am no longer allowing my apprehension or pessimism to hold me hostage.

I'm no longer allowing my fear to drive my choices.

My first bowl. So proud! A labor or love for sure. Pottery is HARD.

Keeping promises to ourselves is how we take our power back. And I am excited to see how I grow this year as I try new things, lean into new possibilities, and as I keep walking and moving my body. I know it's hard to show up for ourselves when we feel like we've never been shown examples of what it means to stick with something we want to try or start. Some of us have never had anyone teach us the beauty of welcoming failure, trying something new, or starting over. It's hard to keep our word and promises to ourselves when we weren't raised that way or shown how it works. I'm learning so much about myself on this walking journey and now creating pottery.

Very proud of this cutie!

Consistency is essential for our growth. Consistency is a deep connection that brings things to fruition in our lives.

I am grateful that I've walked every day even when I didn't want to.

I am grateful for using my mind and body in a new way through daily movement and creating pottery.

I am grateful for keeping up with what I said I would keep up with.

Consistency has brought me home to myself in a new way.

Community Question: How do you want to be more consistent in your life?

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