Maybe it’s those end of year blues, but for some reason, l have been in a bit of a funk since the summer. While I went for long walks with my dog, I began contemplating the meaning of life and taking stock in the decisions I have made over the years. I began looking back and second guessing the paths I didn’t take and really started to feel sorry for myself.
Determined to snap out of it, I began making lists. Lists of things I wanted to accomplish this year, lists of things I still hadn’t accomplished and lists of things I planned to do in the year ahead. Some of the things I added to my list completely didn’t come to fruition. News flash…while I am addicted to shows like “Flip or Flop,” I’m not getting my real estate license anytime soon. Just this morning, I spoke with my husband about walking dogs on the side only to realize that I don’t even walk our own dog that much. I even started to record myself doing a webinar last month and realized as I was trying to screencast from my laptop and struggling every step of the way, that I absolutely hate recording myself doing a webinar.
What I realized is that even when you’re trying to get out of a funk, sometimes, in the act of making lists and plans, you still wind up backing away from some of those goals because you really don’t want to put the work in. And guess what? That’s really okay.
Some of the things on my list that I have accomplished this year was to host networking lunches for entrepreneurial women. We meet every other month and some of the women who met as a result of our group are working together on projects and developing lasting friendships along the way.
In my own community, I launched a Facebook Group to highlight the great things happening in our city and was admitted this year to the board of our local arts council. I’m also planning an event for middle and high school students in the spring at our local high school featuring inspiring speakers who motivate teens to make positive choices in their life.
This past year, my daughter and I got to see Michelle Obama inspire thousands of women as she shared stories from her past and words of wisdom that struck a chord with every generation. It was one of the most unforgettable evenings of our lives and I think her candor and heartfelt advice has served as a catalyst for me to begin the new year continuing to find and do things that make me feel more fulfilled in life.
I spent time with my son as I picked him up from school or drove him to basketball practice or just hung out on the couch binge watching movies and once in a while, had some really great conversations with him as we stumbled across a topic he was passionate about. While I have been amazed by my son and daughter’s incredible talents I am more proud of the fact that at the heart of it, my husband and I have raised two really great kids who are old souls at heart.
Speaking of my husband, he has been by my side every step of the way even when I come up with these crazy ideas of what I’d like to try over the coming year. His “go for it” mentality has always been the fuel that has energized me to go after things I may be afraid of, but have faced head on and achieved success.
While I haven’t figured out what I’m supposed to become in 2019 and beyond (shout out to Michelle Obama), what I have learned is that it’s okay to go through a funk. Sometimes you need to experience rejection or regret in order to figure out what you truly want to do with your life and what you really don’t want to do either.
If you’re in a funk right now, don’t fret because you are not alone. Take stock in what you have accomplished this year. Make a list of things you’d like to do in the future and most of all, be grateful for your health, your family and your friends. Success shouldn’t be measured by wealth or fame. It’s about being content with who you are, embracing change and having the support of people who truly love you and want you to succeed. As you turn a chapter and head towards 2019, I’ll be right there with you, getting rid of my end of year funk so I can enjoy whatever lies ahead.