Deflect the Reflect

I am a highly reflective individual. I am constantly looking at my past, present, and future and wondering if I made/make the right decision and where to go from here.

The thing is, sometimes you need to deflect the reflect and simply make a decision.

When you constantly spend time and energy to reflect on the past, you often miss out on the present and disrupt the magic of the future.

I'm incredibly type A. I plan everything. I am constantly researching and looking to make the most informed decision. I often think of choices and black and white, right and wrong.

In life, things are most often shades of grey. The lines are most often blurred. It's less about right and wrong and more defined by simply being different. So while you can make what you believe is the right decision, in all reality, it's really just a decision that leads to one possible outcome.

I'm not saying don't reflect on past choices or situations. I'm saying take them with a grain of salt. Do not let them define your present or prevent you from experiencing your best future.

When you reflect on your past, you often imagine it in a very different way than it actually happened. We tend to romanticize, form regret, or even judge ourselves too harshly because of current circumstances. We give the person who broke our heart too much leeway. We blame ourselves for bad things that happened. We regret something we said or did. Realistically, these things are a reflection of how we feel in our present situation.

Something I've been working on is understanding my present. Being really aware of who I am, how I feel, and the relationships I'm currently existing in. And then I'll look to what I want those things to look like moving forward.

Appreciate your past, learn from it, but understand that person and those situations no longer exist. In order to maximize growth and choose paths that best serve you, be present. Develop on the person you are now and who you want to be in the future. It's like having a vision board inside your mind that you're able to adjust based on what's happening in real time.

Deflect the constant need to reflect on your past. You're not going there. You won't be that person again. There's a reason you are who you are and where you are right now. If you want to move forward as the happiest version of you, you're going to have to deflect the reflect and accept the now.

Proud NOW

I read a quote on IG the other day (which is where all motivational quotes come from) that said "Be proud of where you are now."  And that really resonated with me in my current state of making the moments count. 

Since I was a teeny tiny squish - I have planned what I would do and what I would achieve someday.  And in all that planning - I often forget to celebrate where I'm at now.  I forget to give myself a high five for all the little wins that will eventually get to me to the biggest wins of my dreams.

I may not be where I want to be, I may not have checked all my boxes, but I've achieved a lot of things over the years that should not be taken lightly.  I made why way into the world of events with little experience, I ran track at a D1 school, I worked for a professional sports team.  I got over my fear of flying by getting on a plane almost weekly at this point.  I traveled out of the country.  I risked it all and left the comforts of California.  I fell in love. 

And every day - I'm getting those small wins.  Am I where I want to be at the end of the day?  Probably not because type A people are never at their peak - but I do a lot of really awesome things.  And I need to remember to take the time to give myself a gold star for where I'm at now.  

I've made it through the struggles and I've refused to give up when I thought I could never stage a comeback.  And I've got a lot of wins to celebrate.  Instead of dwelling on where I'm not, I'm going to celebrate where I am.  It seems pretty silly to let all the little things pass you by when you could be making the most of the journey by popping bubbles and confetti much more often.

Whether it be having a difficult conversation at work, going on a first date, getting an interview for a job, sticking that new pose at Pilates, I'm going to celebrate it.  These little victories are what make my puzzle complete, why wouldn't I make sure each piece has a little extra sparkle on it?

Unplugged

If you're reading this, I'm in Belize!  And I'm spending my time with two of my closest girlfriends adventuring, exploring, and NOT with my electronics.  Save for the brief update, I'm spending much less time than normal on my technologies!

I KNOW!  I'm unplugged!  ME!  But I told you, this is the year of less talk and more DO.  So I'm putting my words into action and I'm taking the trips and spending the time with people I love. 

In an effort to keep this short and sweet - and focus on my relaxation - I'll leave you with this - UNPLUG!

While I'm not big on weeks or months without electronics - I do condone simplifying and unplugging whenever possible.  Maybe you don't need Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr...the list goes on.  Pick one or two.  And ditch the rest!  If you're out with friends, put your phone DOWN.  Be in the moment, soak in the feeling and engage in what's happening.

Technology is amazing - but real life is 1 billion times better.  Real life creates feelings, memories, and if you pay attention - they'll give you more than any Facebook post ever could.

Cheers Sequins!

#SpakleOn