Part of the process for finding myself is learning a new skill so that I can move into a position that more aligns with what I want to see in my future. The learning is new, but so far I am finding so much about my new skill that excites me.

It has been a long time since I have been in a job that excites me. Not only am I learning information that is interesting, I am understanding the information. The more that I learn, the more excited I am about my future. My current position is in customer service and after so many years in that area, it is time for a change. It’s not a complete change however, I am taking what I already know with me. After more than 40 years of life, its good to know that the skills I have already acquired will be of use to my future.

What I am finding interesting is that now that I have this direction, something to focus on, I am doing better at my current position.
I haven’t changed jobs yet. My circumstances haven’t changed. But something in me has changed. Having somewhere I want to go makes where I am right now feel a little easier. There is a clock on this chapter.

I still don’t like where I am or know where this path will ultimately take me, but I can finally look forward with hope.

Today I skipped my walk to help a family member move

Let’s hope this is the last person I have to move for a while…

While i didn’t get my walk in, I gained something else that felt just as important: a little more confidence in myself.

I realized that I can handle these kinds of tasks without the “guidance of my ex. I didn’t need him at all.

The small group we had formed was actually able to get everything done by working together and relying on each other’s strengths. We got the job done quickly and everyone had a role to play.

He did end up joining us near the end of the evening and offered to feed us all. Before I would have stuck around and listened to him complaing about paying after having offered. Today, I politely declined, got my own food and went home to study.

It may seem like a small thing, but to me, it wasn’t.

Sometimes progress isn’t measuring in steps or miles. Sometimes it’s realizing that you are more capable on your own than you ever gave yourself credit for.

The Steps: 3,814
The distance: 1 mile

Last week was the beginning of my walking journey, and honestly, it started because I was babysitting a dog. Having something—to motivate me to get outside made it easy to start. I knew that once he went home, I would have to find a reason to keep going.

I don’t want self-improvement to be a brief moment in my life. I want it to become a lifestyle.

Yesterday, I helped a friend move and then went to a girls’ night around a campfire. There is something about sitting around a fire with good friends, laughing and talking, that feels good for the soul. I think we sometimes underestimate how important those simple moments are for our mental health. As I drove home I felt so much peace.

Today, I went for a walk without the dog.

It may sound like a small thing, but for me, it felt like a win. I started because of him, but today I walked because I chose to.

Then I came home and relaxed.

Maybe that’s part of this journey too—learning that taking care of myself doesn’t always mean pushing harder. Sometimes it means taking a walk, spending time with people I care about, and giving myself permission to rest.

One day at a time, I’m trying to turn these little choices into a life I actually want to live.

The Steps: 5,050
The Distance: 2 miles

This quote, attributed to Laozi, feels appropriate for this journal. After a series of big, difficult life changes this year, this feels less like survival and more like moving forward. One single step, but one in the right direction.

The idea is simple. I am working toward a hiking trip next October after a very sedentary few years so I want a way to track my progress and hold myself accountable. At the same time I am working on a class that will give me more skills to help make my future feel like more of a future that I can look forward to. This promises to be a very busy few months but if I do this right, keep my focus without overwhelming myself, It will be worth it.

The Steps: 7,094
The distance: 1.24 miles