Ever since I wrote about the little things and how they can help us feel in control of our lives, I’ve also been considering other ways that we (meaning I) can “deal” better.   Another thing that I’ve noticed about myself is that since truly putting into practice the saying “take it one day at a time,” my stress level has dramatically decreased.  Not saying that stress doesn’t win some days, just that my coping mechanisms on MOST days seem to be getting better!

I’ve noticed a freedom associated with living one day or even one hour at a time.  At first,  I tried to live this way because that’s what people said to do, and it was all my poor brain could handle.  I couldn’t bear to think about the future because it was so difficult to plan when my husband’s diagnosis and treatments seemed to change all the time.  After doing this day to day thing for a while now,  I continue to work on living this way because I  see how empowering it is!

Don’t get me wrong, goals are important, and I definitely still have them.  But what happens when that 10 day diet loses to a carton of Ben & Jerry’s on Day 3?  What happens to the 30 day exercise program when a life crisis stops it for 5 days from Day 10-15?  What happens when your retirement planning is for Age 65, and retirement suddenly happens at Age 57?  In my experience, that’s when feelings of defeat, doubt, and depression creep in.  We feel discouraged about our future, don’t see the point in continuing, become paralyzed with fear and uncertainty. Why do this to yourself?

By focusing on TODAY–this hour and this minute–if I don’t work out, don’t stay under my calorie goal, or don’t manage to be totally productive; it’s okay. I’m doing my best, and tomorrow is another day where the opportunity to be even better presents itself again.  I don’t feel like a failure or that I ruined anything long term! Instead, thankfulness is in order because we made it through the day, and another chance is coming. Oh, and on those days when I DO exercise, eat right, and do all the other things seen as both productive and fulfilling??  If I am living in and for EACH day, then there is cause for celebration and even more thankfulness!!

Focusing on living one day at a time has helped with the stress and that heavy weight that always seemed to reside on my shoulders.  It’s impossible to carry that much weight at once without a lot of pain. I’ve decided to only lift a little at a time and maybe even leave it all piled up in the corner on some days! ❤️

P.S.  The inspiration for this was a verse from Matthew that I forgot to include until now when a friend reminded me:  “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34