Week 1 of my Next Chapter Best Chapter Road Trip is almost complete, and here are some fun statistics: 35 hours in my car2,110 miles driven8 states traveled through (Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Ten
February 3, 2022
Plot Twist
Three years ago, I started this blog in anticipation of becoming an empty nester, knowing I needed to figure out the next calling in my life. For 30 years, my calling had been “Mom”. And I loved that
February 10, 2020
Irritated? Me too…
I’m currently reading a book that challenged me to find something that irritates, frustrates or downright angers me, and look for the things in that situation for which I could be thankful. An exercis
February 4, 2019
Tales of A Self Care Martyr
I admittedly play the martyr when it comes to self-care. It became a bad habit early in my life when I gave everything I had to my husband, children, work, house, volunteering, you name it. I did it all, and excelled in it. And poor, poor, pitiful me. I never had time to take care of myself. As I look back now, and become my own Monday morning therapist, I can see it was me trying to prove my love to my family and say “Look at me, look at all I do for YOU. Aren’t I the best wife, mother, employee? No one can be as good at this as me!” That’s the #3 Enneagram in me…needing validation. Can you tell I’m just a little obsessed with the Enneagram? I digress. So, in this new stage of my life, I am focusing a little more on self-care, and being less of a martyr. It’s really not a good look on me anyway, so time to let it go. But, here is my struggle with all of the typical self-care routines many women swear by:
January 23, 2019
100 Days: Little Wins That Turn into Something Bigger
My name is Susan, and I’m a recovering Diet Coke addict. It’s been 100 days since my last sip of that delicious nectar of the Gods. I started drinking Diet Coke right after it launched in 1982 and I never stopped. At my worst, right before I quit, I was drinking 4-6 cans a day, and if I happened by a QuikTrip, I’d get a Big Q fountain DC as well. I would easily go through two twelve-packs a week. Y’all, I estimate I spent at least $400 a year in Diet Coke. I’m not stupid, I know how bad DC is for you…chock full of nasty stuff. But I couldn’t resist the feel of an ice cold fountain Diet Coke sliding down my throat. Heaven. I’ve quit Diet Coke too many times to count, never lasting more than two weeks, probably caved we went out for Mexican food. I had to have a Diet Coke with Mexican food. It would be un-American not to. It’s refreshing deliciousness called me back time and again. Then, I started Rachel Hollis’s #Last90Days Challenge in October. She challenged us to do 5 small daily things, what she called 5 to Thrive: