MAJOR MILESTONE BIRTHDAY – GO BIG OR GO HOME!
Milestone: a stone set up beside a road to mark the distance in miles to a particular place; an action or event marking a significant change or stage in development. Marking a place or point in time – a milestone indicates the beginning of a new chapter.
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE AT A MILESTONE BIRTHDAY?
This is a question I’ve asked many. Now I’m answering for myself. My life pie chart is full with all the areas rich with color. Through self-exploration and growth work, I am happy to report that the areas of my life that needed more healing and attention are now thriving. I’m living life on life’s terms and managing well.
IT ULTIMATELY TOOK BEING VULNERABLE TO TRANSFORM MY MEDIOCRE I’M-FINE-LIFE INTO MY WONDERFUL TRIPLE-RAINBOW-LIFE.
Grateful for health in all areas of my life, I am thrilled to be at this major milestone birthday!
To mark the significance of turning 60, I went milestone big!
- I took myself on a walking/hiking Backroads Travel birthday trip
- Logged over 70 miles, gaining and losing elevation, in the Canadian Rockies
- Physically challenged myself and rocked it!
- Spent wonderful quality time with one of my lifelong friends
- Met 19 people I’d never seen before – and hugged them all goodbye after a week together
- Made new friends for life
- Sent my trainer a thank you text!
In the spirit of self-care, here’s what else I did on this vacation:
- I took a day off from hiking even though it wasn’t a scheduled day off (self-love, freedom of choice)
- Saw things I wanted and didn’t buy them (wise restraint)
- Enjoyed dessert many a night (freedom of choice, delicious)
- Unplugged from work except for a planned three-hour block (mental health, trust, humility)
- Connected with each person on the trip in some way (open, vulnerable, courageous, fun)
- Carved out time for solitude on the group trip (spiritual, grateful, contemplative)
- Learned some interesting facts – such as how the water is so blue or green or turquoise in Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Emerald Lake (open-minded, patient, mindful)
- Hiked with an amazing 82-year-old man who took every hike all the way (joy, hope)
- Admitted I was anxious about the Day 3 Hike (wise, wild and worthy) – a future blog post!
Like most other women I know, I wanted to do something special for my 60th. While I thought it would be taking a fun girls’ trip to a beach (which would be a blast), I booked the “just-for-me” hiking trip – meaning, a trip I would take solo if it worked out that way.
I knew the hiking would be challenging, but – admittedly – I did not fully comprehend the degree of difficulty on this specific trip. To say I am proud of myself for taking these hikes is an understatement (wink, grin). And, I’m so happy my lifelong friend Marian joined me!
Achieving the physical challenge required focus and mindfulness – and gave me a giant self-esteem boost. The trip was medicine for my soul.
My choice was an act of true self-love.
You don’t have to wait until you’re turning 60 to go big or go home. I encourage you to identify a challenge you’ll take within the next six months or one year.
FIND SOMETHING THAT MAKES YOU GULP AND SMILE AT THE SAME TIME.
My personal goal was to be physically fit, mentally healthy, capable, courageous and brave – and to take on something big. Do you have a goal? Something to challenge you and work toward?
If you are resistant to identifying or planning (or even considering) a just-for-you challenge, you may be operating from a limiting belief. A belief inside you that says you’re not worthy, you can’t, you don’t have what it takes, you’re not allowed to be selfish.
WHILE THESE WHISPERS FROM YOUR INNER CRITIC ARE STRONG AND FEEL TRUE – THEY ARE LIES.
These insidious lies are there to keep you small, alone and disconnected from your true and authentic self… They’ll keep you caring for others instead of yourself. Keep moving yourself to the end of the list.
I challenge you to go big this year! If you’d like to bounce ideas with a certified life coach and consultant or to have a trusted guide on your journey, feel free to book a call with me.
If going big is too much – give yourself the gift of one hour. Book a session with me and tell me how it’s too big right now. I’ll help you work through those negative thoughts telling you to be quiet and stay home. No matter what your inner critic says, you deserve to be healthy, free and thriving.
As this new chapter begins, I’ll let you in on my next big challenge! I would delight in hearing yours!
Be bold.
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