Breaking Out

Lately I have been making a push towards living more in the moment, enjoying the days as they come and go. I am working to grow personal relationships and really build the connections we have. I am constantly trying to learn from others, which has been a real drive for me lately. I feel that every person has something to offer, even though we sometimes don't always agree with everything they do in life. After hearing and reading experiences of others I feel like my life has been a bit sheltered.

My family never took any long vacations too far away from home, as in 2-3 hours or less of a drive away. I've never flown in an airplane, never seen the ocean, never seen a mountain.....well this list could get a little out of hand if I keep going. So my intentions lately are focusing on ways I can expand my horizons.

I tend to over think and reflect on items too much. I'm starting to release fears and learn to just live in the moment; enjoy who I am and those around me. I'm focusing more on others and really trying to reach out and give to others. I used to be more open, but a few people hurt me badly during my high school days that closed the doors for me. I refused to put myself out there and take chances, thereby sticking with the 'safe' route all of my life.

All that has taught me is you will end up where you always expected you would be. Keeping everything in doesn't allow others to help you and it's OK to accept help. Opening up to others allows them to understand why you are the person you are and for them to help you achieve your wildest dreams. While this seems obvious it's taken me forever to understand the concept. I have finally started to put my faith in others and it's released so much stress from me. I learned to accept that I can only do so much and that is enough, I don't have to be superwoman and do everything on my own.

It's taken so much for me to even put this down but I'm happy it's out there. Have you ever gone through phases where you closed yourself out from the world? After awhile you kinda forget what it's like to not be that way and I'm slowly gaining confidence and pride in myself along the journey. And I have running to thank for getting me started on this journey. Triathlons have helped me conquer more fears than I cared to admit but I love it!

Bitten

Have you ever been bit by the cleaning bug? Well it finally got me and I'm glad it did!! My house really has been a disaster, so bad that I've been having anxiety over cleaning and would find any reason to get out of the house so I wouldn't even have to see it. I seriously felt like the pregnant ladies in their nesting period.

Over the course of the past week I have managed to deep clean and organize just about everything in the house, including going through our fridge and getting rid of old condiments. I just have one room left and most of it is my husband's so I'm trying to be patient and let him take care of his own stuff. If I was at home and not working I was busting my hump doing something towards progress. My husband kept asking if I was ever gonna sit down!! My niece is the cutest mess ever :)

It is amazing how much energy that has freed up from my mind towards other projects. I love having that negative energy far away and I just need to keep it that way! I think I need to come up with a weekly/bi-weekly checklist to stay consistent as I forget about it otherwise. Has anyone gone through this before? I am not the neatest person in the world and I seem to go through cycles. I let everything go until it gets bad enough that I'm disgusted enough to clean it, or I am expecting guests. I need to break out of this habit!

Are you a clean freak or a messaholic like me?

Becoming One Again

There has been a reason for my absence lately....I have been in a giant funk!! I seemed to have lost motivation for a number of things in life. I needed to get in touch with me and also make a few drastic changes to kick start myself.

I took 2 days off work around the 4th of July and I did NOT check my email or work while I was gone! That is seriously a first for me in years. I was able to spend time with my family at our cottage and was hubby and dog free. It was so great to relax and de-stress! I really needed it because I was becoming quite the craba$$. I enjoyed a 13.5 mile run along some quite country roads surrounding the lakes loving life, other than the few moments choking down a chocolate honey stinger gel. I can't believe they can even call that chocolate!! I spied a deer at the top of this hill, of which I was too slow to get a picture of it.

Then it was time to chop off most of my hair to donate, to where I still need to figure out. I usually do locks of love but I'm looking to see if there are any other options out there. If you know of any let me know.

I participated in several group runs and a triathlon with my dad (recap to come) to get me rejuvenated. The most memorable for me outside of the race was my solo long bike ride in the rain. It was my last chance prep for my upcoming Olympic tri and was amazingly fun.

I made sure to wear my obnoxiously bright socks so cars would spot me.

I also had a week long vacation at my hubby's cottage where I was able to become one with nature several times. There was a 17 mile hilly run along quite country roads around lakes with my Fox Cities Marathon peeps. A bike around the nature preserve to spot a place to park so we could hike on the Ice Age Trail with my pooch and MIL. I also got in a chilly morning swim in the lake where I apparently attracted a large fish to jump out of the water near my legs. Hubby was in the canoe by me and wisely decided not to tell me about it when I stopped and was trying to figure out if my kicking caused it. I even got to feed a momma duck and her 7 ducklings while being within arms reach of them in the water. They were sooo adorable and stinkin' cute!

I am an expert packer! When it comes to fitting a week's worth of supplies including a road bike and hammock into a sports car, just call me! Vito rode shotgun in order to create optimal space.

And to top all of that I off I tackled an Olympic Distance Triathlon that I've been pooping my pants about the last few months. I will let you wait to figure out how that turned out as well.

Today I am feeling the least stressed I have in a long time and I'm thinking clearly. I have some new ideas how to approach life and things are starting to fall into place. Sometimes it just takes getting back to your roots and re-evaluating what you want out of life to enjoy it. Onwards my friends!