Life has changed so much for me in tha last year that I honestly don’t know where to start. I guess the best place to begin is to update you on things. My ex took me to court and I lost custody of the kids. Just like that, it seemed it was over in the blink of an eye. He waited until the kids and I were on vacation to file. That way when I came back I didn’t have as long to prepare.
If you have been following me for a while you know they were not my biological children but his. Although I raised and loved them all like they were mine. I get them now one month of the summer and two weeks at Christmas. That is currently it. Although the judge did say we could revisit things once my health was better.
I was devastated and spent weeks in bed. That was around the time everything went haywire with the blog as well. I am back now, and more than ready for things to move forward. Notice I didn’t say get back to normal?
There is nothing normal at the moment. I am a middle aged divorced woman who has depression, chf, anxiety, binge eats, and takes care of her mother. If I had a few cats the picture would be complete. Kill me now! (Just kidding!!)
Where do I go from here?
That was the question I asked myself a lot. I had so many regrets. So many things that I never went out and did because I was too busy making a man that would never love me happy. I couldn’t seem to find the answer until it was staring me in the face.
Life isn’t over for me. Yes, I am middle aged. Yes, I take care of my mother and uncle. Yes, I have some health issues. So what? That doesn’t mean I have to curl up and die. I can go out and find my new adventure. Adventure can be anything I want it to be. From family and cooking to walking on a curved glass bridge. Skydiving might be a bit much and actually kill me but it could be an option in the future.
First Steps
The first step into my new adventure has been getting my work life back into order. That meant getting both blogs back into order and deciding if Tupperware and the other direct sales were really something I wanted to do.
I knew the blogs were staying. I wanted to share things with y’all as I did them. Share the failures I had as well as the triumphs. Share the moments where I break down and the moments where I soar.
That is why the blog looks different now. I went through everything there was and updated it or made changes. I struggled with the colors a bit because I like so many and I didn’t want to lock myself into a set of them. I then came across a book series with these beautiful covers and the result is the blue and pink that you now see.
Social Media
I suck at social media. Just ask anyone who has ever sent me a message. The one platform I was good at, did me dirty. My Twitter got hacked and suspended and even though I filed an appeal I never heard back from them. I didn’t want to start over with something that took me years to build. Then I realized something. I don’t have to be on every social media platform there is. I know that giving up Twitter is going to mean I can’t do as many campaigns as I have in the past. I am okay with that. I would rather be great at a couple of them then suck so badly at all of them.
VIP Group
I took the time to go ahead and put all of the extra entry codes into the group for the year. So please pay attention when you enter them to ensure you are entering the correct ones. I am going to be posting more there this year.
Better Planning
The biggest thing is that I sat down and planned out goals for each quarter this year. Most are not anything that anyone other than me would care about but I did it. I want to meet each of those quarterly goals as well as the smaller monthly goals. The monthly ones are action steps to help me meet the quarterly ones. I planned the direction I want the blog to take as well as the giveaways I want to do each month.
All in all I think I have laid the best possible foundation to make 2023 not only a good year but a great year. I have allowed for those moments when nothing goes according to plan. Made sure I penciled in some breaks for myself and felt pretty good about all of it. I intend to look for whatever adventure I can in each and every day. No matter how big or small I intend to live each day to the fullest.
Enter the Giveaway
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I live in a small Georgia town that you most likely have never heard of and I LOVE it! My house is more than full as I am a single mother of four & caregiver to my aging mother and uncle. Lover of all things Outlander. Goes to the beat of her own drum woman.
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I am so sorry to hear about how the custody went. Men do that just to hurt the women. It was done to me also. I am doing the Swedish Death Cleaning this year. It all must go. You just don’t realize all the useless junk you have until you declutter.
I’m so sorry your year was so stressful. Things can only get better from here! My goal this year is to exercise more.
I am so sorry you had such a hard and stressful year but it is great to hear you are moving forward. My plans this year is to set a few goals of getting my weight on track and taking more time for myself. Thank you for sharing,
Sorry to hear all the struggles you’ve been going through. Now on to better days. 🙂
I have not made any plans or goals yet for the year. I guess I will just wing it.
Happy New Year, Rita! As I tested positive for COVID on December 16th, 2022, my biggest goal for the new year is to closely monitor my health and take any appropriate steps to improve my overall health, diet and lifestyle. I do want to get back to writing eventually and hope to start doing so once I feel better. As always, thank you for the giveaway and have a healthy, prosperous and safe 2023!
I hope the new year is better for you. I am hoping for better health.
I plan on getting out in nature way way more in 2023. I would like to hike somewhere new each month and take pictures. I need the exercise and need to get out and about more this year.
I hope your year gets better. I don’t have any major plans for 2023. I hope to continue to loose weight, pay off my debts and increase my retirement fund.
Been job hunting without success and feeling very financially stressed and depressed – so this year I need to carve a new path forward – trying to think outside the box!
My plan for the year is to plan my son’s graduation party for May and get him successfully off to college!
I would like to travel more
I am so sorry for what you have been going through! I like your optimism though. My plan for 2023 is to get more sleep because I never get enough sleep at night.
I am devastated to hear about you not having the kids anymore. SO very very sad! This year, I want to get healthy and feel better physically! Baby steps, although I would love a huge change, I know it will take years to get to where I want to be.
All the best to you in 2023. I want to travel and get into shape!
I want to start writing again. Travel more & worry less. Maybe start a blog, I dunno. Happy New Year, Rita! 🙂 xo
My goals for this year are to get more sleep and to not stress so much. I’m also thinking about working part-time (I’m retired), but I’m not sure yet.
My goals for the new year are to lose 30 lbs and become financially secure.
My first goal is to finish loosing the weight to reach my goal which is about 20 more pounds. Second, my goal is to seriously organize my house so I don’t have to keep organizing my house. It might take me all year.
My goal is to exercise more and stop the fast food eating. Got a membership Jan 3rd and so far so good.
Due to our landlord deciding that after 20 years he wants to remodel our apartment and refuses to pay housing & storage fees we are now looking for our forever home. He’s allowing us to stay until we do find a place so I guess that’s good. We’ve looked at a few but not ready to sign on the dotted line yet.
3 years at home except for dr visits it’s something we’re getting used to now. When you have health issues you just want to stay well.
My goal for this year is to take better care of myself–whatever that entails. Could be to take time out, to reflect; buy myself a decadent Swiss chocolate bar; read a good book; eat better–more salads.
Find time to write more.
I have to focus on putting my health first this year.
I hope to be more physically active. Hope you have a great new year!
I’m sorry to hear about 2022 – I hope 2023 treats you with much grace and peace! My goal for this year is to find patience with myself while doing eldercare for my father.
thank you so much for sharing. I want to travel more, which I will do a bit this year.
My goal is to be more mindful/grateful.
My goals are to run a 5K and drink more water!
I hope to be more financially stable this year! Thanks for this amazing opportunity and good luck everyone. I hope your 2023 is amazing!
I would like to eat healthier foods this year
To improve all aspects of myself and my life and make progress