Last Updated on 3 weeks
Radical Acceptance – Embracing The New, Even When It Hurts
The New Year brings about a renewed sense of self, which I’ve been embarking on since before this new year started. I’m paying attention to areas of my life that are harmful to me in even the smallest ways and working out strategies to always keep my peace.
For instance, I took several breaks from social media when I realized I kept silently comparing myself to other women and coming up short. I didn’t feel like I was gifted enough, sexy enough, or talented enough to go the long haul and achieve the lifestyle I so desired. Reaching a plateau in my creativity coupled with these inferiority complexes had my value system on a downward spiral.
As a result, I disconnected from the Gram and started creating more space for me to exist IRL (in real-time).
I joined a Cohort at The Free School, where we connect in practical ways to live out our dreams through community, gentle accountability, and showing up for ourselves. I’m doing life with women who get it and want to live in the light. We also learned to calendar our weeks to keep our lives organized. I’ve had a bit of a learning curve, but I do calendar my weeks, more often than not, to organize my life. It truly helps to carve out space for me to just be. Doing this practice made me realize I need to prioritize R.E.S.T. on my calendar. Work has been my main focus, which got me sick for the past two weeks. I wasn’t getting enough sleep and my body shut down. I can’t afford to ignore rest again. Lesson learned!
I also started cooking more rather than having UberEats and DoorDash on speed dial because managing my money is key. Further, eating foods that will last for more than one sitting is another. Am I the only one who spends $50+ on food, including delivery, and it’s gone shortly after it comes through the door? That’s insane!
We’re embracing the new. With that said, to credit my lesson learned, I am also taking way more naps. Sleep is vital, and as my doctor said, getting enough rest helps the body boost its immunity. So, if you’re sleep-deprived and constantly on the go, you’re on your way to being sick. And it will hit you hard. Please, learn from my mistakes and take care of your body.
Lastly, and most importantly, I’m fully embodying LaTeisha 2.0! She is not settling for things that are depleting her, in any way. That looks like me stepping back from relationships that aren’t reciprocating the love and care I deserve. I am a Giver, and it just comes naturally for me to love on other people. But I am starting to realize that some people just don’t care about me in that way. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but I accept the truth. Living in a perspective that constantly overshadows reality and makes people out to be more than what they are results in a life of self-hurt and denial. It’s extremely demoralizing.
So, in honoring myself, I fully embrace my boundaries of loving myself and sharing that with people who will receive and reciprocate. Because I deserve it.
I aim to live peacefully, happily, and fashionably – cue in my next shopping trip! I have to tell you, retail therapy is my jam!
All in all, I’m doing what makes me happy because the way I love myself is a direct reflection of how much I am listening to God. He cares about my feelings and doesn’t want me to settle in even the slightest of ways. Hence, my number one goal in life is to be aligned with where God wants me to be.
On that note, did I tell you I also started going back to church?! Girl! I rededicated my life to Christ and have been enjoying connecting with other people who worship God too. Doing this spiritual walk by myself has only gotten me so far. We all need people, so I am allowing myself to have community. This is how we grow—together.
As you embark on this new year, pay close attention to what hurts and seek out ways you can safely heal.