Enjoying the Shared Journey

To successfully navigate any journey, it is important to balance packing the essentials and shedding dead weight, knowing when to carry the momentum and when to pause to rest and enjoy the view.

Packing Essentials

Get Sh*t Done. I am carrying the momentum from last week, continuing to cultivate new gardens. I have created time in my week and freed mental space. By letting go of non-critical backlog tasks, I feel on top of my personal and professional to-do list for the first time in years. I have clarity on how to tackle difficult decisions I have been avoiding. Creativity and creating is flowing daily. An idea shared with a friend is coming to fruition.

By releasing the burden I had put on myself, I have enabled myself to turn drudgery to joy.

Lightening the Load

Response over Reaction. The space I have created for myself has enabled me to pause when emotions consume me. Parallel/co-parenting over email/text leaves out context, allows false narratives to fill the blank space, and lets the past sneak into the present. What is logical in the sharer’s mind may be a triggering mess in the receiver’s mind. I took a few days, and self-coached myself with a few questions: What does my kid need here? What is the outcome I am seeking from the ‘conversation’? What old stories are not serving me in this situation? How should I show up to meet the needs of everyone sharing the journey - kid, self, coparent? How do I communicate in a way that will be well received?

I can shed the overwhelm by stepping back and taking time.

Enjoying the View

Enjoying Community. Without thinking through logistics, I signed up as soon as I saw a nearby coaching meetup. I was excited to meet some people I had ‘known’ for years online through course, social media, and shared community. I had to overcome all my regular anti-social excuses - rush hour traffic, parking in the city, fear of being awkward in conversation. And - everything went smoothly! With a small toll, I breezed by the deadlock, found parking within 2 blocks, and had engaging conversation the entire time. I am grateful for being able to hug friends in person, connecting and reflecting with individuals at varying stages of coaching, and gaining inspiration and encouragement to share my writing.

I am grateful to share the journey.

Building Momentum

Family Meetings. A few weeks ago I instituted weekly family meetings with the kids. We had lost the cohesiveness of our little team over the last few months from a combination of crazy activity schedules, my second new job in a year, custody schedules, and my lack of preparation for their new stages. We use this time to bring up important issues, set clear expectations, ask each other questions, and reconnect with our core values. My teen actually told me that while the forced meeting is annoying, he is really glad we are doing them.

While I cannot schedule connection with the kids, I can schedule time that allows for it.