A New Normal

[SimplySheri]

~~Times of transition are strenuous, but I love them.  They are an opportunity to purge, rethink priorities, and be intentional about new habits.  We can make our new normal any way we want.~~  Kristin Armstrong

So I was reminded yesterday that I've been teaching GED classes at the jail for a year now.  A year of working 6 out of 7 days a week.  A year of shifting home chores with two jobs while juggling time with my children and grandchildren and finding time to do nothing.  Morning yoga with answering text messages from families at one job while teaching slope-intercept at the other.

I was tired a lot this year.  Sometimes resentful (yep, I'm not perfect ).  Often busy.  Confused.  Exhausted.  Exhilarated.  Swamped and overwhelmed.

But you know what?  I'm not like that anymore.  I'm once again organized, spontaneous, flexible, content.  I can easily move through my days with a minimum of exhaustion and a good attitude.  I moved into my new normal without even realizing it.

See, that's what happens when you stop fighting change.  That's what happens when you stop seeing life as a battle and start just putting one foot in front of the other.  That's what happens when you take it one minute at a time.  There is a period of chaos, a period of adjustment, and then a shift in your world that makes things ok again.

Quitting smoking is like that as well.  A change in lifestyle, a change in thinking, a change in behavior.  Then chaos for a while maybe as you try to adjust to new habits, get rid of old habits.  You find that life doesn't slow down or stop during these periods of change so simply ride it out...one moment at a time if need be.  After the chaos, there is adjustment.  Deliberate actions that keep you on the right path.  Many breathes, a lot of bubble blowing, some crazy dance moves to keep you happy, and most of all, being present in the here and now so you don't slide back into addictive behaviors.

One day, BOOM!!  Your new normal is shining like sunlight over the water.  And you think about how much you like the new you, the new habits, the new life.  And you feel proud and capable and satisfied with all you've accomplished.  And most of all you know that this new normal means you CAN get through tough times without killing yourself with a cigarette.  That you can get through heartbreak and bad news and anxiety and depression and fights with your partner and a bad boss without addiction.  And life suddenly doesn't look all that frightening and maybe....just maybe....you are looking forward to more new adventures.  Life is what we make of it....and you have made it good.  Well done!!