HAS 2021 BEEN WHAT YOU EXPECTED?

We’ve approached June 1, 2021 and its hard to believe. Has 2021 been what you expected it to be? Coming off a crazy year like 2020, we had many hopes and expectations of what we wanted and thought 2021 should be. Has 2021 been a great year for you so far? Or has it been a great disappointment?

To be perfectly honest, I had absolutely no expectations for the year 2021. I actually had a feeling of more of the same. I wasn’t expecting a huge shift in anything. However, I did go into the year with one goal, and that was to be grateful and positive no matter what came my way. How have I done so far? I must say I’m proud of myself. I’ve been very good at keeping a level head and trying to encourage myself and others.

On the other hand, I wanted to be fearless and take chances. And again, I’ve taken some steps professionally and business wise that I have been putting off. I’m proud of myself. So far for me 2021 has gone by fast and isn’t waiting on us for anything. If I can get through a COVID-19 school year, with the kids in seat, I can do anything. WHAT I’VE LEARNED THIS YEAR ABOUT MYSELF

Has your 2021 been what you wanted? If it hasn’t you still have time to plan, create, and set yourself up for success. The one thing we can’t get back is time. What are you waiting for? Turn your dreams into reality one step at a time. Do something everyday towards your dream or goal. It could be something as simple as reading an article or doing research.

If you want to go back to school, relocate, change careers, lose weight, or start a business, do one thing each day to make it reality. The more you work and grow, the more motivated and encouraged you become. Furthermore, we can’t just dream, we have to put some action behind it.

On the other hand, if your 2021 has been everything you hoped, then continue on the path you’re on. Continue to grow and live the life you set out. Even if no one says it, you are an inspiration to others. Enjoy the process and may you accomplish everything you set out.

2021 isn’t over, however time is moving like lighting and it isn’t going to slow down. I wish we could add hours in a day or tell time to slow down and wait until we’re ready. Go after and get whatever it is you want or want to do. Remember it’s a journey without a destination. It’s not a race, it’s a marathon. And lastly, the journey is yours and no one else’s.

Have a great day, week, month and rest of the year!!!!!

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.

DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE?

Do you know who you are? I was in Walmart picking up what supposed to be one item. Well walking through the aisle I stumbled upon the mugs. I found this mug that caught my eye and I had to pick it up. It was a black mug with one word on it “Introvert”. FACTS ABOUT INTROVERTS YOU SHOULD KNOW Boy that made me smile and without hesitation, I told my husband I have to get it. Before I knew, the words, “this is so me and I love it”, came out my mouth.

Walking to the register I thought to myself, what is so me? Well, I smiled on the inside because there was a comfort in me knowing who I am and what makes me, me. Yes, I am an introvert, I’ve told y’all before. I love everything about me being an introvert. I embrace who I am.

Also I loved the mug, because I am a mug collector. A good colorful inspirational mug makes me happy. It’s even better when I’m drinking my coffee or tea to have a reminder literally at my fingertips. It’s the little things that makes your personality shine and pop.

What is or are the little things that makes you smile? Do you know what makes you happy? Can you answer the question, what makes you happy? How does your personality shine through on a daily? On one hand, it doesn’t have to be big. So often we get stumped on a question like this because we think the person is looking for some grand answers.

The million little things that makes you stand out is what makes you so special and unique. Embrace every little thing no matter how quirky, colorful, small, or big it may be.

We are human beings with many emotions, which means we’re going to have some big and small things that makes us happy and who we are. Do you know who you are?

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.

I WAS GROWN BEFORE, BUT LIFE CALLED ME

Something happens when you hit 40. I’ve always heard people talk about it and say how something shifts, it definitely does and it’s noticeable. I was grown before, but now I really think I’m grown. Some can be adults in age, but not so much in their priorities, responsibilities, and life.

For starters, I no longer care about having a closet full of clothes and shoes. Let alone caring about the name or labels on the tags. My care has shifted to making sure my home is as cozy as possible. I enjoy walking through Menards, Lowes, and the Garden section in Walmart. Creating a home with positive energy, peace, comfort, and happiness tickles my fanny.

While creating a safe space to be free, I’ve adopted the less is more option. That is with everything. Clothes, shoes, makeup, skincare, knickknacks, decor, kitchen gadgets, and just stuff. I find myself throwing away a lot of “stuff” as I clean and do laundry.

The next thing I noticed, and this is what made me figure out the shift in myself, is I pay attention to what others say on certain topics, or what they don’t say specifically. I pay attention to a person actions towards others, positive and negative. I specifically watch to see if they cut corners, always wanting something extra, looking for a leg up, wanting favors, and just how they move in general.

“The best judgment of character is to watch how a person engage with others.”

Another thing that I noticed is my daily lifestyle habits are very important. You know when you’re younger, eating right isn’t at the top of the list. Also when you’re young and dumb, you think you never going to gain weight or you can lose it easily. Yeah Right!!!!!! Making sure I have healthy eating habits, exercising throughout the week, and oh, this is a big one, gettting my behind in the bed at night is a priority at the top of my list.

The eating and drinking habits of others is something I’ve come to pay attention to. I love it when a coworker or friend tell me they want to lose weight or going on this fad diet, while eating a bucket of ice cream. I will support and motivate anyone, but if you’re wasting my time by not being serious or taking your health serious then, I have to move on.

I’ve become more mindful on what I watch, read, and listen to. Because of the world we live in, I find myself constantly seeking motivational and inspiring content to consume to ensure I’m operating from a place of positivity. YouTube has tons of motivational content on all subject matters to keep your gas tank full. I can find long videos while I clean up or a quick video on the ride to work to keep me going. Pinterest has millions of inspirational quotes to get you through any situation. Of course we know Instagram has content that motivates us.

Side Note: The key to social media is to only click on the content that you seek, or aspire to indulge. That way the algorithm will only pull the content in which you want to see.

My insatiable desire to let everyone know they are worthy is mounting. It really pains me to hear or see of a individual feeling down, in despair, hopeless, and unmotivated.

“You are bigger than the storm you going through. Remember storms are temporary.”

The ability to comfortable in feeling my feelings and not feeling bad about it has lifted weight off my shoulders . Feeling my feelings allows me to process it, talk it out, and move passed it. Which is great for my mental health. I encourage everyone to feel their feelings so you can learn and move forward. Ignoring or pretending like nothing bothers you, only hurts you and prevents you from being the best version of yourself.

I used to love going to the store to “just” look, now I only go when necessary and frankly I don’t even like doing that. It’s not so much about spending money or trying to save money, it’s not wanting be in the midst of the craziness that happens when you go shopping. Also, thats how I know I‘ve accomplished my goal of being at peace and content with what I have. There is nothing wrong with “wanting” more, but you have to start by being grateful for what you have now.

Which brings me to my next point, in being more financially aware or frugal. When I want something, I really think about it for some time. I go through a serious of questions: Do I really need it? Do I have a place for it? Can I afford it? Lastly on the financial tip, is I’d rather save and pay cash for it, instead of having debt and interest. When you’re younger you view money differently. I know I’m grown because life has called me to look at money and finances completely different.

My desire to give folks my time and argue just isn’t happening anymore. First of all, my blood pressure tells me girl you need to sit down, and you know what, they just aren’t worth it. I’m was grown before and life has called me to let certain things go. The energy that it exhaust out of me is too much and most of the time its not going to change the outcome, circumstances , or how a person feels.

It feels good to not care what people think or say. This one took me a while. It wasn’t so much of what my friends thought, but wanting the approval from my family that I was doing right or making the right decisions stressed me out. Another one that took me a while to grasp, is to not take things personally when people are rude or disrespectful. The anger that they display has nothing to do with me.

Welp, thats a few things I’ve noticed that has changed in me. It feels good, I feel good, and I want y’all to have the same liberating feeling. I was grown before, but now I’m really grown and growing. Remember it’s a journey, there isn’t a destination, and I’m still hopping along.

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.

It’s Ok…

To Cry
To Laugh
Take a day off
Not answer the phone
Eat Cake
Say you’re tired
Feel anxious
To Change your mind
Let go and be done
Feel Sad
Feel Nervousness
Experience an episode of depression
Want to splurge and purchase something
Need a vacation
Want a vacation
Like being alone
Move to another city, state, or country
Switch jobs or careers
Disconnect from the world from time to time
Say No
Say Yes
Ask for what you want
Feel how you feel
Be who you are
Protect yourself…or others
Be different
Look different
Try something different
Want to just do nothing
Be confused
Start over…more than once
It is ok to not be ok

It is OK!!!!!

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.

I AM NOT A EXPERT

Disclaimer: I am not an expert. I am an expert of my life and my experiences. In fact, my degree is in Business Administration. However, in my time on this earth I have experienced some episodes that has brought me here to share, help, and grow with others. I came to a point where I wasn’t embarrassed to say I’m feeling depressed, sad, unhappy with my career, want to hit a reset button, or just in mood.

Once I got to the point of not feeling embarrassed, I was able to share and not go through it alone. The moment I shared my true feelings, I immediately felt 10lbs lighter, realized I wasn’t the only one, and wanted to make everyone feel good and get better. I knew I wanted to and needed to share with others they aren’t alone and its quite normal to have certain feelings.

The biggest mistake we make is not sharing, reaching out for help, or my reason, feeling like we are going to burden family and friends with our problems. So often we have this misconception that once we graduate from college and start a family, every thing is going to be roses. Welp that couldn’t be further from the truth and balancing that in itself is stressful.

After some reflections, I realized there was a period of time, approximately two years, I distanced myself from everyone until I was comfortable and confident enough to present myself as ME. In my distanced time, I reflected on what was making me angry, what I was anxious about in my professional career, what direction I wanted to go in my life, what kind of life I wanted to show my kids, and how I was going to get there.

I literally began speaking honestly with myself, my true feelings, what I wanted, and why I was making the decisions I was. Then I, unconsciously, began speaking them to my husband and once I did that I knew I was coming into me and feeling more confident. LIFE…We Only Get One

My awareness was at its highest and still is. I began to notice how excited, passionate, and selfless I became when I would encourage others to live for themselves when they expressed to me they are unhappy.

I am not an expert. In fact, there are still times I feel stressed and emotionally drained. Guess what, that is a part of life. It’s how we deal with things thats going to determine what road we end up on. I rely on the tools that got me to this point when I begin to feel some type of way.

Please don’t feel like once you reach a point of ease its finished. This is a journey without a destination. Remembering the why you’re on this journey, what you want to get out of it, and where you want to end up will always get us back on track when we make a wrong turn or hit a bump in the road.

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.

LIFE…We Only Get One

L-Learn. Read, listen to podcast, and watch videos. If you have a hobby, or interest in something learn as much as you can about it as often as you can. In life, we can never stop learning.

I-Imagine your future and make it happen. You can create and live the life you want.

F-Feel the pain. So often we want to push it away and pretend it isn’t there. If we embrace it and figure out why we experienced that emotion it will lead us to healing and a better version of ourselves.

E-Entertain that crazy thought or dream. If we imagined it, then we can achieve it. The crazier, more far out, and the more scary dreams are, the more rewarding and life fulfilling they will be. Remember we only get one shot at this thing called life.

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.

Self Care Mental Health Tips

There are many factors that play into the downfall of our mental and emotional health. There are some self care mental health tips that could help you along the way. The following is 4 practices we do that gives away our power and strength. With consistency and habit we can stop doing to help our mental health.

Stop Explaining Yourself

This is my biggest pet peeve when I see adult women specifically explain themselves. Crushing themselves trying to explain what they doing, where they going, why they chose to go left instead of right, and anything else. It’s even worse when they begin explaining without anyone even asking. Which that’s the first sign of someone not being confident in who they are. To be honest even if someone asked you, you still don’t owe anyone an explanation. If how you move about your life needs to be explained then they’re not on your level. The decisions you make for you and your family is no one else’s business as long as it doesn’t effect them.

Wasting Your Time Staying Angry

They were never lying when they said it takes a lot of energy to get angry, and most importantly stay angry. It takes so much emotional energy to stay angry. Trying to stay angry we use all our gas plus others around us. Let’s just say when a wife gets mad at her husband the entire mood in the house shifts until she starts talking to him again. Even the kids start walking around on egg shells. You waste time that could be spent doing something productive. Not to mention, when you stay that angry for some time you begin to lose sleep. At this point every thing including your physical body and beautiful face begin to suffer. It just isn’t worth it. Remember they hurt you once, don’t let them keep hurting you by staying angry. That would be giving away too much power.

Living Your Life for Others

When we allow others to influence our decisions we have given them the keys to drive our life. Letting someone tell you “you’re not ready”, “I don’t think that’s a good idea”, or “don’t you think you should wait a while“ are people that you need to keep at arms length. Those are all manipulative, controlling, and selfish ways people get you to do what they want you to do. Be confident in your journey to know what’s best for you and don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. Making decisions to please others leaves you as the only one suffering. No matter what you try to do nothing is going to make you happy until you live for you. Daily Self Care Habits To Boost Your Mental Health

Staying in a One Sided Relationship

Having hopes and expectation for someone will get us every time. Also knowing the potential a person could have is the most common reason we constantly give so many chances to those who don’t deserve it. It’s true, when people show you who they are believe them. If the relationship makes you question who you are, what you do, or you always seem to be in a confused state then its time to leave. Our relationships should inspire us to be better people. We should feel so much love and support that we have to constantly give it away to others. With no respect, trust, or communication you’re wasting your time. This goes for our romantic relationship as well as our friendships.

These are simple self care mental health practices that will save us heartache in our daily lives. The amount time spent worrying if someone understands us, feel we care, or sparing their feelings only wastes our time and drain our mental and emotional tank on empty.

They aren’t worth it.

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.

FEAR Is Holding You Back

F-Finish what you started. Turn that thought into ideas to create a plan. Develop those ideas into a project. Design that project into a business. Whatever “it” is that you started or thought about starting FINISH it. It could be school, moving, weight loss goal, changing your hair color, or anything that was placed upon your heart.

E-Explore the world. When we travel and learn about different cultures it allows us to see life differently. It doesn’t have to be overseas, travel to a city or small town you never been to. What do they eat? Where does the dialect come from? We will have a better understanding of people. Of course right now staying safe and healthy is important.

A-Award yourself regularly. It doesn’t have to be something big. But we know you have a family and other responsibilities to take care of, however you should enjoy the fruits of your labor. Each time you get paid do something for yourself.

R-Release any tension, frustration, or aniety you may have. Find a way to let go of what was, what hurt you, or who made you mad. Holding on to that continues to hurt you not them. LET IT GO!!!!

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.

Happy Birthday to Me!!!!!

So today is my birthday and for the first time since I was a teenager I am speaking out about it. My typical attitude towards my birthday was to not say anything or even attempt to celebrate it. I’ve never been one of those that begin the week before reminding everyone its my birthday and to plan a week long festivities. When people would ask what you want for your birthday I would blow it off and not even acknowledge they are trying to acknowledge me.

I’ve always chosen to keep my birthday for me. I’ve used my birthday as a day to be with myself mostly mentally and emotionally to kind of reflect and use it as a day to set goals.

Last year I made the decision by my next birthday I was going to be in a better place, mentally and emotionally, and would have made progress in living in who I truly wanted to be. I began speaking aloud what I wanted to accomplish by this year’s birthday and what do you know, I’ve made huge milestones. To be perfectly honest with you guys that is the best gift in the world.

Most importantly I began being truly honest to myself in how I was feeling about my professional 8-5 career and what I wanted it to look like. I always had this vision in my mind and in my heart for years but never nurtured it. Once I began to nurture who I was on the inside I was feeling lighter and lighter as the days went on and feeling more free. Each step of the way I became more confident, encouraged, and motivated to continue on my journey of living the life that had been stifled inside of me.

I noticed I began saying more often “by the time I’m 40” I am going to be here, doing this, and have this accomplished. No I’m not 40, I turned 39 today, and yes I’m proud to say my age, but the goals I set for my 40th I know I’m on the right path.

I say all of this to say if you’re one that gets down because your birthday is coming celebrate yourself and how far you’ve come. It’s your day and you get to spend it however you like. It’s never too late to hit the reset button. You can change the course of your life’s direction and be happy. Just because it’s what you’ve always done or the safest doesn’t mean its the best or right thing for you.

Finally it doesn’t have to be your birthday for you to celebrate yourself or reflect. You can do it every day and don’t feel guilty about it.

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.

Self Care: Declutter and Make Room for Growth

Right now we live in a world where more is better. We’ve come addicted to having “stuff”. One for sure way to get yourself lost is surrounding yourself with an abundance of “things” or making yourself believe you need more than you need.

I’ve heard the saying a person’s home or car is reflection of who they are. No I don’t mean if they have a messy car or home then they are nasty. Being nasty and just having stuff laying around is two different things.

If you get a ride from someone and they have to clean the seat off for you to sit down then thats how they run their life. In most cases they are always in a rush or just barely making it to work or appointments on time. Even though they have a phone they probably missed the reminder or because their life is so sporadic they didn’t even set a reminder.

When you walk into a person home and if just seems like they have stuff everywhere with no meaning or purpose then that is a reflection of them. They may feel like they have to hold on to things and sometimes its hard for them to get rid of “stuff.” Holding on to trinkets for memories sometimes hold us back from moving on from things that has happened in the past.

If you find you look around and see stuff collecting dust, you don’t use it, or you haven’t wore a certain piece of clothing in a while then get rid of it. Most of the time once we declutter our home, our minds begin to open up. Getting rid of old stuff that doesn’t serve a purpose make room for something else to come into your life that have meaning.

Go through the closet and get rid of those old clothes and shoes that are out dated. You haven’t wore them in forever and saving for a “just in case” event is holding you back. If that event hasn’t come by now then you don’t need it. Most often when that “just in case event” comes you’ll probably go out and purchase something new.

When we declutter our home we renew mind and our new thoughts, ideas come to the forefront. Our creativity is refreshed and we get a new sense of purpose, our confidence is renewed, and we have motivation to push through whatever has been holding us back.

Purging old meaningless things allows us to let go of the past and move on. Holding on keeps us bound to certain events and things that happened to us. Decluttering gives you power to say I’m not going to live in the past and be stuck.

If you’re ready to grow, move on from the past, and renew your spirit get rid of the old and make room for new beginnings.

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.