Taking my MoJo Back: How I'm hitting the reset button on 2016

Have you ever found it necessary to hit the reset button on your life? Well I’m in the midst of doing just that; I’m working to get back to at least 95%, let me explain. If you’ve been following the blog you already know my New Year started with a bit of a rough patch. After a serious auto accident that left me with an injured rotator cuff and broken wrist, we were hit with the usual swarm of insurance adjusters, accident chasing attorneys and extreme muscle soreness. The first few days I found myself primarily bed ridden, I thought the pain on my left side was just soreness from the accident. When I could barely lift a plate by the end of the second day I sought medical treatment and learned the severity of my injuries. In the midst of this whirlwind our long planned birthday vacation was only a few days away. Since I failed to purchase travel insurance, which I rarely do on our trips within the United States, I also spent a good deal of time trying to reschedule our flight due to the Blizzard of 2016 shutting down Washington D.C. where our layover was scheduled.

Taking my mojo back one day at a time!

After arriving home from vacation to the same madness we’d left behind, a full blow internal audit at work and a full schedule of events it didn’t take long for me to begin feeling resentful of having to do things that should've been fun. In the recent past I’d reach for weights and really pump the iron when I’m overwhelmed but that wasn’t an option. Due to my injuries weights were only permitted on my lower body, so I began focusing on other types of exercise. During my first Zumba class I realized that my left arm and shoulder couldn’t maintain the intensity and it quickly became uncomfortable for me to keep up. I've found myself heading to the stationary cardio equipment more often than not and slowly becoming my worse fear – a cardio queen! In addition, simple task like grocery shopping, lifting files at work or transporting my purse, lunch bag and lap top case into the office were causing me pain. I'd wake up each morning to a stiff, aching shoulder that seemed glued to my side and painful to move. If all that wasn’t enough typing is an awkward undertaking between the unbending keyboard and my cast making my passion to write also go down the drain.

It seemed as if all my outlets such as writing and exercise were uncomfortable and I felt as if I my momentum was fading fast. None of these problems are insurmountable. I’m healthy and able but I’m women enough to admit I’m in a funk. I’ve never been limited in my mobility in my life and it really, majorly sucks! So if you managed to get past my whining and all of the reasons I’m currently not in a happy place then you’ve landed smack in the middle of my plan to get my groove back. Over the past two weeks I put the brakes on anything that wasn’t absolutely necessary which narrows my list to: work, eating, showering and some degree of exercise. Anything that I deemed unnecessary or overly taxing were wiped off my list. I realized I needed to just catch up on life, let me break that down for you. After the accident we left immediately for vacation and returned to all sorts of invites and obligations. I needed time to just organize, determine the true extent of my shoulder injury, unpack my life and get back in the drivers seat. Here are the steps I’m taking to get my life back on track:

 1.  I admitted to my husband that I was feeling down. That’s a big step for this stubborn, independent gal and in my opinion women in general. My energy level was low, I hadn’t really cooked in weeks and it’s fair to say I needed a bit of encouragement. After admitting to him that I just wasn’t feeling myself he said “well come on, let’s do some Zumba on the Xbox”. That not only got me off the couch, it felt so good to move and laugh at him NOT really doing Zumba but giving me the boost I needed.  Also he took over in some areas that didn't need my involvement just to take some weight off my shoulders which was exactly what I needed.
 

Affirmation courtesy of thoughtsfornow.com

2. Two weeks ago my friends and I got together to create our vision boards for 2016, I’ll spill the deets on that in a future blog post. I absentmindedly placed my vision board in a seldom used room in our home. Unlike my 2015 board I didn’t have my goals placed in an area where I’d benefit from seeing them daily. Having realized the importance of keeping my vision for my life in front of me I not only moved my board to a room I spent time in daily but I also saved a picture of it to my computer so I could view it daily at work. Keeping my goals in direct eyesight is a surefire way to get my mental state whipped back into shape. In addition to spending time focusing on my goals via my vision board I also began listening to positive affirmations daily. YouTube has an awesome collection of videos and recordings with powerful affirmations. I listen to them during my morning commute, while I’m at the office and also during a recent spa treatment. The Fit, Flexible and Endurance affirmation by Jason Stephenson is one of my favorite healthy lifestyle recordings. I also enjoy the Abundance affirmations by Growing Forever. I’m a firm believer in the power of the universe and manifesting your desires begins with the right mindset. For me one way to get back on track is to begin by making up my mind that I'm going to do it and affirmations strengthen that resolve. Just as talking myself through workouts or praising God for the strength to keep pushing there is something to be said for having faith and keeping your thoughts powerful, try it!

 3. I treated myself to a mani/pedi at a little gem that I discovered near my home. Not only is the treatment relaxing but I love the quiet, good natured energy of the owner and his wife. Now this little treatment may not sound like much but I’ve realized how low self care has been on my totem pole. Of course I work out and eat well but I rarely partake in any guilt free me time. There’s something about just sitting still and letting someone take care of you that feels incredible. I’ve made a vow to take care of myself as if my life depends on it! I’ll do this by adding a few drops of lavender in my bath water and sinking in or sitting in the peaceful parlor of my home and enjoying a warm cup of bamboo tea and taking a trip to the spa at least once a month. As women, mothers and wives we often are so busy checking things off the list that we rarely treat ourselves to something as simple as some alone time. I was talking to a friend recently who was clearly under the weather, despite the fact that she had a perfectly healthy able bodied husband at home she said she “just couldn’t” go home and go straight to bed in order to get the rest she clearly needed. I challenge my sisters to rebel against this mindset, not only do we do ourselves a disservice but we often don’t give our partners the load they are perfectly capable of carrying! As I type I’m looking down at a set of well manicured magenta digits, they make me feel good, and I’m worth it. Take care of yourself, find your balance and don’t compromise, take time out to do what makes you feel good.



Good eating and meal prep

4. Let’s face it, you are what you eat. In the weeks since we returned from vacay we have pretty much been eating on the run. This past Sunday I took the time to prep my meals and  my belly already feels better. For breakfast I made an apple banana oatmeal bake large enough for me and Allan to both enjoy. For lunch I baked shrimp and white fish in a lemon, garlic, parsley butter broth and prepared quinoa and a mix of broccoli and cauliflower. I realize that my motivation to move may be somewhat down but eating well will not only keep me on track but also decrease my chances of making an unhealthy choice. When I eat food on the go it not only makes me feel bloated and tired but it rarely gives me the satisfaction I receive from sitting down to a home cooked meal.



5. Fake it until you make it! I began smiling every morning upon waking, for no other reason but than being alive and thankful. I practiced smiling as I walked into the office and as I thought about it throughout my day and the simple act of smiling made me feel better! It's as if the muscles that I utilize to smile set off a chemical reaction, it's a great feeling! Finally I began focusing on my posture and really walking up proud and straight, shoulders back! Just because I felt down didn't mean I had to slump around reflecting that energy on the outside.

I’ve chosen to focus on a few positive steps to reset my failing motivation. My first step was admitting that I was in a slump . Secondly, I focused on my goals for 2016 and beyond by meditating on my vision board and listening to daily affirmations. As if the universe was confirming my path I listened to Shonda Rhimes on GMA last week speak on how “taking time out to play” got her creative engine humming again. Like Shonda I plan to do just that by intentionally practicing self care in various forms on a regular basis. Also, eating well gives me a sense of power by controlling the things I put into my body. Good food fuels my internal engine and ensures I avoid the mid day slump that comes from eating junk food. Finally, even though I felt out of sorts I chose to put on a happy face and gave myself the "chin up buttercup" before heading out the door. Well, I'm happy to report that things are changing for the better and I didn't have to force the transition.  If your New Years resolutions aren't panning out like you thought they would I challenge you to take these steps to reset your state of mind and get back in the race with me!

What do you do when you need to spark your motivation?

Our birthday escape to the islands

It goes without saying that my husband and I share a deep love for one another but we also have an uncanny connection. I've always felt that connection was due to the fact that our birthdays are only three days apart, and we both fit the definition of our Aquarius birth traits to a tee. For the first time in our marriage my husband and I decided to plan a getaway in the middle of  Aquarius season, aka winter in the Midwest, to celebrate our birthdays. Not only has this vacation, which included a cruise with stops in the Bahamas, been long planned after the rough week we had leading up to it, it was very much needed. The car accident from the prior week and the Blizzard of 2016 threatened to ruin our trip but the universe was on our side and it was all I could ask for and then some.

A perfect day on the beach!

I long for the days when waking up to sunshine is a daily ritual, until then take me to the beach! Surround us with good people, food and music and that's a party! We met the most incredible, welcoming individuals from all walks of life. Both Allan and I agree that this tropical escape tops the charts as one of our very best vacations to date.

 So I thought I'd share just a few pictures of us soaking up the sun and embracing the moments that made this vacay so memorable.
For me the sun is like an earthly power cord that charges me and the energy of the ocean is undeniable. I feel so alive when I'm surrounded by the sun and ocean, it's a special kind of energy.


 On the first day at sea we woke to a beautiful sight, the rising of the sun. On of earths most precious gifts rising to greatness with the ocean as it's canvas, beautiful! It was even more captivating in person.

Arriving in Nassau, upon exiting the ship, they have all these photo ops that are kinda cheesy, yet irresistible. So like obedient suckers tourist, we found ourselves to be so captivating in these pictures that we purchased more than a few!

 

 

 Unfortunately the bulk of our pictures feature good times with our new found friends or Allan and I fully embracing the beach life. Knowing that we had a limited amount of time to soak in the sun we pretty much lived in swimsuits and this is exactly the life I'm manifesting for our future. Flip flops in January is my idea of living!

It's safe to safe I'm fully embracing this moment...

Unlike myself my husband wasn't a very cooperative model. This is the best shot I managed of him exiting the water. Funny thing is, it's totally him, I love this shot!

We did manage a few pictures that were fully clothed but I choose to focus on these few shots plus a few more that make me smile. This was a great vacation! Next stop, France and Copenhagen in May, I've got a hot and ready passport that's ready for some stamps!

Vacation hair: I love crochet braids

Let me count the ways that I love crochet braids as one of my top protective styles. My top reasons for selecting crochet are cost, convenience, versatility and take down ease. Also I can access my scalp, which is a must for me.

If you've read my previous post you already know that a fender bender left me with a broken wrist. With a long planned vacation right around the corner I needed a style that was versatile and relatively low maintenance. Enter, my beloved crochet braids! After booking an appointment I searched the web for the look I was going for and fell in love with the wave pattern of Freetress Deep Twist hair. Since crochet hair is more often than not synthetic I purchased six packs at $5.99 a pack at the local beauty supply store. I did have to go to two stores because this particular hair is in high demand. I was prepared to pay at least $75 for the install but surprisingly my braider Precious Yisreal, Designed and Divine on Facebook, was running a $40 special for basic crochet braids. How sweet is that? Girl, don't threaten me with a good time!!! She has been braiding both myself and my son, who's hair length rivals mine, for the past few years now.

Braid pattern prior to install

I think it's important to mention that prior to installing any protective style that I plan on rocking for awhile I always give my hair some special treatment prior to the install. Taking care of the hair underneath your weave is mandatory in my book. I began by pre-pooing with Motions Enhance and Define Pre Wash Detangling Butter and leaving that in for a half hour under my Hot Head heated cap. I then proceeded to wash my hair with Cantu Sulfate Free Cleansing Shampoo. My husband was my shampooer, rinser and product applicator due to my wrist, all I have to say about that one is I now know how our dog feels, poor thing. My final step was applying Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor, for a dose of protein which strengthens the hair followed by ORS Hair Mayonnaise for thirty more minutes under my Hot Head. Ladies, I think I'm in love with ORS Hair Mayo...OMG!! It may have also been the combination of products but why did I wait so long to try this conditioner? My hair was easy to detangle and very moisturized. After a comical detangling session with me and my husband, we managed two braids and I let it air dry overnight for my next day appointment.

There's one more key step to this process. Since crochet braid hair is synthetic it makes me itch terribly. Also, you must keep in mind weave is dirty and it will be in direct contact with your body. I soaked my synthetic weave by keeping the bundles in tact (or keeping them secured with the rubber band) as they come out the package in a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar for one hour. After soaking I rinsed the hair, used paper towels to squeeze it dry and hung the hair to air dry overnight, piece of cake and no chance of dirty, itchy hair

The install began about 10am the following day and was complete about 1:30pm. Due to the length of my natural hair my stylist braided it in back and "crocheted" the loose ends into place as you can somewhat see in the above picture. I did have a rather thick braid in back but there is no chance of that showing through this incredibly thick hair. The install was over in no time, quick, easy and plenty of packing time to spare! Because we were going on vacation I chose a longer style, therefore my stylist didn't cut the hair prior to the install. Let me tell you this hair was loooong! To be exact 22 inches of full, wavy, waist length hair. It overpowered me and my barely 5'4 frame so despite my promise to my stylist not to cut it for a few days I went home and did just that, with plenty of hair to spare. Without crying too much about my wrist all I can say is it was quite sore after this trimming session, this hair was a workout! Pass the paid meds please!

Finally, having exhausted all the energy I could on getting my hair into shape I ended up heading to a

TL- prior to trimming/thinning and pics of the end result

drop in salon after arriving in Florida where a fabulous young lady by the name of Dee thinned my bulky synthetic hair and cut it into shape for $17.00. Typically I'm able to do this myself but it proved to be too much while wearing a cast. I just loved Ms. Dee's southern charm and wit so much that I offered her a ten dollar tip and a hug for being a huge lifesaver in decreasing the volume of my huge hair.

It's been a full week and a half and the hair still looks great despite swimming and plenty of time in the ocean. To care for my hair underneath I use a spray bottle filled with water and shampoo to wash my scalp, rinse well and remove shed hair after swimming. Also I apply oil directly to my scalp every other day. In the evening I again perform a ritual of removing shed hair, pull the hair back with a satin pony tail holder and stuff it under a satin cap for bed. In my opinion, crochet braids have a shelf life of about three to four weeks before it starts looking a bit worn. Luckily they're also easy to remove. If you haven't heard by now protective styles are the way to go for hair growth and I see another install in the near future for me.



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