Hi There, welcome! I’m grateful and excited if you’ve decided to take a few minutes to read my (1^st EVER) post. I am new to blogging and have recently found myself on a journey of personal growth. My goal in this area is, well, in actually many areas: discovering more about me; becoming a more patient and present parent, wife, daughter, sister and friend; as well as being my most productive and strategic self at work. Some days it feels super easy, and I’m thinking – ‘I’ve got this!’ and other days….well it can feel like a constant struggle the ENTIRE day from the moment I wake up. But I’m passionate and excited to continue on, even if I stumble along the way.

To share a little more about me, I am a mother of two (currently on maternity leave – more on that down the road), a wife, daughter and sister. My career is in the corporate sector and I love what I do! I didn’t always feel that way but over the latter part of my career to date, I have found my passion in how I can support the people and the corporation I work with. I’ve been lucky enough to have some strong mentors throughout my working life but one in particular has really shaped my working approach, confidence, ability to take risks and maintain a ‘human first’ perspective at work.

The reason for my newly awakened journey came about a month ago. Surprisingly, I can’t pinpoint the exact moment but I recall having constant thoughts around I need to be more mindful. I need to enjoy the moment more. I need to stop choosing to be annoyed as my default response. I need to stop listening to those grumpy or negative thoughts that can quickly flood the mind. And so, I decided to start a daily gratitude journal, began listening to more focused podcasts and reignited my passion of reading.

I believe that the most impactful shift for me has been staying present and being aware of my thoughts. Choosing which ones to act upon and which ones to notice but move on from. I want to be a happier, more joyful and fully present person. I can honestly say that the past month has been the most consistent my mood and behaviour has ever been. Don’t get me wrong I have slipped and stumbled but I catch myself quicker. More consistently, I take my time to respond to a situation or emotion instead of just reacting. Although only a month, you could also say – it’s already a month! I have been a more patient, calm and kinder person, traits that are important to me. For me, these are the values that seem to be the foundation for all others.

I do not believe myself to be any form of an ‘expert.’ The honest answer is, through this blog, I am looking for a way to grow my creative outlets and do something different. Something that encourages me to act outside my comfort zone. Even just writing this post has been a fun activity. I don’t think I’ve written for ‘fun’ since being a little girl. Something my daughter loves to do; it’s so adorable seeing her notes, thoughts, stories – her art. It really is sad that so many of us lose this as we age because we have ‘responsibilities’ or more important ‘achievements’ to accomplish. More and more I am finally learning that anything worthwhile is about making time for it. But it is true, you can’t do everything – so strong prioritization (specifically around what’s important to you has to be the focus). Isn’t that an ongoing journey, it is no easy feat!

Hopefully you are interested to continue reading my future posts, as this is really how I believe you will get to know a bit more about me and how hopefully some tidbits of what I share resonate with, interest or even inspire you.

I look forward to sharing more in the near future.

Be patient, calm and kind.

*Photo by Jerry Zhang on Unsplash