Everyone around me is so upbeat about this new year… I’m not feeling it to be honest.
I’m not in a good space at the moment for some reason. I’m not feeling good about myself at all. I’m feeling rather fat and flabby. I’m looking tired, and in fact I must be looking my age or more at the moment because a sales lady in the shops yesterday told me so… that was a pleasant experience! My skin is looking shocking again. I’ve had to buy a bigger clothing size for the first time in my adult life. My wardrobe is starting to feel frumpy.
My ego has also taken a huge knock with my photography… for some reason I’m not getting wedding enquiries for this year in South Africa… plenty in Zimbabwe, but not in the country that I actually live in! LOL! Anyway, it shouldn’t really bug me because it allows me to do smaller shoots and have more time to myself… but my ego doesn’t like it one bit!
(I can actually hear my husband groaning at this post, because when this happens he knows I’m going to change a lot)
… yes… something has to change.
So, a few small things for now…
First, I’ve been seeing #100HappyDays floating around my Facebook and Instagram for a while, and I’ve decided to take part. Yes, another photo meme!! Can you adam and eve it?! I swore I wasn’t going to do another long one!! LOL! But this should be for a good cause… my headspace. Why you may ask? Well, I read the blurb on their website and it makes sense to me…
The idea is simple… take a photo each day depicting something that makes you happy… and share it. I’m taking all the images using my phone, and sharing them on Instagram… and this is my first image…
… so that’s the first change… for my mental health.
The second change is for my physical health. I need to exercise. I don’t have time for a full gym thing and to be honest I really don’t have the energy for the queues at gyms especially at the times I’d be able to go. The other option is running. I did the Delta Park Run last weekend again and loved it… I like being outside, I liked the walk/running bit. I also need some kind of training program because I’ve never been much of a runner. I could run with the dogs… but I need to be fitter to be fair… you know how insane my huskies are!
So, I’m toying with Run/Walk for Life. A new branch is opening in Randpark Ridge and it would be ideal for me. I chatted to them today, and it starts at 5pm… I think I can do that… it would be one hell of a rush from work but I think I could do it twice a week…. and then on a Saturday morning too.
It may actually work. I may be able to stop the flab and get a flatter tummy… I’m hoping to anyway. If it works it would also be the first time in years that I’ve done something healthy for myself.
If I do these things, I think I’ll be able to get my happy back again.
gorgeous flowers!
May I suggest some chicklit too? 🙂
Actually I hate when people tell me to just go get a massage or treat myself to something when I’m going through these phases. The true fix is to change something in my life for more long-lasting change so I LOVE that you’re doing walk/ run for life.
I could always smuggle you into my suitcase for Ballito next week and you and I could sneak off to take weird pics 🙂
Oh my word! Have u been in my head. I am generally happy and positive. But I worked thru this year. It was dead and now everyone is coming back energized and happy and I’m hitting a low. Right with u, feel fat, list confidence in photography and interiors, wonder why people are my friends. It’s crazy. I know in my head I have good friends and things in my life.
Time to reinforce that.
All the best Jeanette! Tks for being an inspiration to me.
Hope you get your head space right soon! It’s a crap feeling 🙁
Thanks Jeanette.. Its a decision.. have managed to go running every day after work this week and that is definitely helping.. All the best with walk for life!!
You are an inspiration to me! I joined Walk for life yesterday 🙂 looking forward to seeing your photos
I’m very much in the same space… I’m not where I wanted to be and its frustrating me. Yesterday morning I actually closed Twitter because I heard myself groaning – aloud – “too much forking happy”.
How kak is that!
Ah Jeanette, it sucks to be in that head space! But I am looking forward to seeing your #100happydays 🙂 I hope it makes you feel better.
On the exercising thing, since you said you like the outdoors instead of being in a gym (me too!) maybe try an Adventure Boot Camp buddy day? https://www.adventurebootcamp.co.za/ I like it because you only sign up for 4 weeks at a time and every day is different and they ramp up the exercises over the 4 weeks.
Good luck, I still think you’re stunning and you take the BEST photo’s eva!
You are one of the strongest most put together woman I know! I think you always look great and have a lovely wardrobe.
I did walk for life for about 3 years, I loved it. There is no pressure to keep up with anyone and none of that gym posing. Try it, you will definitely enjoy, its very social (if you want it to be) and its great exercise.
Hope you feel better soon.
You will always be one of the most attractive and beautiful ladies I’ve met in my whole life. Those eyes will never fade, baby!
Go for it! As moms we need to keep ourselves sane and happy in order for our kids and husbands to be happy as well!
Best of luck!
Feeling exactly the same, which is why I also signed up for the challenge! Hoping that spotting something happy every day will help my mindset a lot
Dearest Jeanette
We don’t even really know each other, but somehow we do…. If that makes sense. There’s nothing wrong with you for feeling the way you do, I was exactly where you are now, one year ago. Our family faced a huge mountain, I was so unhappy with my job, where I was, who I was becoming because of my unhappiness and it took me 6 months to do something about it. When I look back now, I’m angry at myself for letting it go on for so long. Even though I had so many friends, I never felt so alone as I did then. I had to learn to make myself happy and not let my happiness depend ons someone else. I had to start loving me again… Start loving what I do again… Just loving my life again.
As long as you keep trying, there is hope and hope is all you need.
You’ve had such an impact on my life and my photography, you still do. You are crazy talented!!! Nobody can take that away from you.
You are never alone, even a stranger like me thinks of you very often.
Keep strong
Love
L
Hope you are feeling in a better space soon
While you’re in this phase, allow me to add some light and send some live. if you need a cheer leader just IM me.
you’re my favourite (only) photog and you’re scary in an awesome way!
You can do eet!
hugs
I almost cried when I read this a few days ago because I have been feeling so similar, both mentally and physically. It’s like everyone else is just chugging right along and I’m struggling. So thank you for sharing, really, it means a lot and has made me feel less alone. And many thanks for sharing the happiness project. I think I’m becoming inspired to do it myself 🙂
It’s frustrating to be in a dip but we all go through it at some time or other. I think your body & mind eventually rebel and you start getting niggly as you’re forced to make the changes you need to make. Running is such an awesome choice. And you know me, i’m not the world’s fastest runner. But it does wonders for the soul! Hope to see you soon, either at Park Runs or at the races! 🙂
Ai my friend, you know often this time of the year while others see the year ahead as positive some of us see it as a challenge. I do this year and have also signed up for 100happy days. For the rest I want to do many things that is about me and not just the kids – get some happy going again, Good luck on your journey