I wasn’t sure it was possible with a low income and living in a high-cost-of-living area with several children, but the relief is wonderful and worth every sacrifice. The books by Dave Ramsey absolutely made the difference, and then it just took some time and commitment. We are now able to invest for retirement and pay down our mortgage faster. 17 months ago
Not sure I’ll ever feel completely prepared. But we have food stores, some water, prescription meds and glasses, survival books, some gear and such. Probably a generator, more supplies, and a car kit would be wise for an earthquake. I’m going look into those and mark this done for now while I focus on other goals. 17 months ago
I’m naturally a night person, and I need more sleep than the average person to be my best, and that’s just the way it is. The world won’t bend to my schedule so I’ve made a real effort to go to bed on time at least fairly consistently. Getting my husband’s encouragement helped.
Actually falling asleep was another matter. I realized my insomnia was related to anxiety when I started treating that and suddenly wasn’t just laying in bed thinking and worrying. Going to bed and actually just going to sleep is so heavenly! Managing my stress and treating anxiety was integral to meeting (and continuing to meet) this goal. 17 months ago
I happened upon a lovely bound journal that says something like “Prayers go up, blessings come down” on the front. Usually such a nice book would seem intimidating, but I took the plunge and started writing, starting each entry with “Dear God…”
I love that it seems more tangible that just thoughts in my head. I feel like God must really see it this way. I wrote that I’m glad he can handle my selfish, rude, random prayer journaling… just like I still love my children with all my heart and want the best for them even when they act childish. That written, I am free to write whatever comes to mind without trying to remember a prayer formula and include the praise, gratitude, and what-not. It’s more like a relationship, not a chore that I can’t do well enough. Now I just need to make it part of my routine and I will naturally grow in my faith and feel more connected and grounded. 17 months ago
The ah-ha moment finally hit me. A journal is not an amazing record of my most profound thoughts, or a polished record of my outstanding life ready to be published. It’s not the amazing, inspiring, artistic, but completely intimidating visual journals I covet. It is a tool. A tool to get out all the annoying, mundane, rude, angry, sad, secret, boring fragments of thoughts going round my head. It’s not for anyone to read so I dont’ have to explain any backstory to my random jumble. I don’t even read it myself. But I feel better getting it out and if I write without stopping or thinking I discovered that I figure things out by the bottom of the page. I’m saving so much in therapy, hehe.
I got my degree in creative writing, then abruptly stopped writing because I put so much pressure on myself to be an always-awesome writer. What a tragedy that I lost this important outlet for all these years… collecting beautiful blank books but unable to write. Reading “The Artist’s Way” helped me find the conclusion of journal-as-tool but I still needed to hear it from several different sources and even read a journaling blog where she paints and decorates her pages but then writes about the weather or how bored she is.
Yes, a journal is a tool. Now I am free to write. Next goal: make it a habit and part of my routine. 17 months ago
I slowly taped photos, post cards, child drawings, notes, quotes, and lovely magazine photos above my computer. Anything that made me smile or feel happy / hopeful. It’s sort of a mish-mash, but I had to let go of my perfectionistic tendency in order to have one at all. And I know I can add / move things any time so it never has to be perfectly finished. 17 months ago
