My word for this year is-

  Self-Care

This is a vulnerable post, and I really want to encourage others through my journey.

Last year was the most challenging year that I have had in a long time.

As a Chaplain and also in my life journey.

I work as a primary school chaplain and I love my role, I really do.

I think that the last time that I have a year like this was in 2016, but that was also mild compared to last year.

There have also been other challenging years like 2007, but that is another journey that I will share later.

You know when you just go and keep on going when there are difficult situations happening?

It is like you have dived underwater and do not know where the surface is.

It is like you swim to the bottom, you swim to the side and then finally you find the surface.

You have held your breath for so long and when you eventually surface, you find yourself gasping for air.

It is time-consuming, it really is

This year I am going to focus on my self-care.

For me this is quite challenging, I know that I can support others but I need to take what I say to others and take my own advice.

Yes.

This year I am going to focus on things that I really love.

I am going to do things that fill my bucket.

I love being creative I really do.

So, this year I have joined a gym and have an amazing personal trainer.

He is also a boxer, so I have had I few PT sessions with him.

I also want to get back into my singing.

My plan this year is to visit my music mentor who is in Melbourne.

She is from Carer and Carter; they are country music artists who have won golden guitars.

I will share how I met her in another blog.

I have also decided not to take on too many things.

I find this difficult and after last year I really need to change what I do.

I want to do things that fill my bucket.

I was talking with a friend this year that said your bucket was not full.

I said my bucket, I only had the handle.

We laughed about this.

I am so grateful for the amazing people that I work with that have been there for me.

It has encouraged me so much.

I am grateful.

I will share more later.

What are you grateful for today?

Let’s encourage one another.

Tracey