Photo Credit: Alan Light
My inner Oprah Winfrey needs to be channelled. She’s sitting on the sofa today, demanding I take notice of her life coaching advice.
I can’t ignore her any longer.
She tells me to stop for a minute. Just a minute. And take a moment to recall the events of the past year. She tells me that, rather than berating myself for not achieveing the mountain of tasks on my to-do list this week, I should take stock of what I have achieved.
She tells me to look at the bigger picture.
Apparently, I need to remember where I was this time last year. I need to remember that I was yet to get married. I was in a haze of last-minute planning for said wedding. I was attempting the beginnings of a blog, a freelance career.
Taking stock and looking back, I’m reminded that this time last year I was in blissful ignorance about the battle that lay before me as my child attempted to learn to walk. I had no idea of the appointments, chasing appointments, referrals, physio assessments, physio treatments, Googling and anxious conversations with family.
And here we are, walking.
I’m reminded of my never-ending nerves over money and the “what ifs” of my freelance career not working out.
My inner Oprah tells me to take note of the increasing commissions. The commissions to write for big websites and magazines that I used to see as “The Big Boys”. Now I’m one of them. I’m a “Big Boy” (now, there’s a thing to write *snigger*).
The regular writing clients I once dreamed of, telling myself it would never happen, have arrived at my door. They are here, paying me to do a job I love. A job I didn’t even dare dream I would do when I was at university, dreaming of being “A Writer”.
No longer am I touting for cherished radio shifts. I don’t need to tout. Not at the moment, anyway. I have a regular gig. Talking. I earn actual cash from talking and laughing on the radio. And writing. They let me write for them too.
My beautiful blog, begun on a whim to see if I could still write in the haze of baby brain, is paying me back tenfold. The love I’ve cherished on it has reciprocated with new friends, a holiday, paid opportunities and fabulous products. (I apologise if the gushing Oprah is taking over a little – she’s in her stride now.)
Again, the me of this time last year doesn’t believe it.
My non-toddling toddler is toddling. I earn money writing and talking. I get to flex every creative bone in my (rather wobbly) body.
Oprah has done good.
I’m doing OK.
Now remind me of this tomorrow.
It is sometimes really difficult when you’re bogged down in the minutiae of everyday tasks to see how much you have really achieved. Congratulations!
It really is. Important to step back and take stock at times isn’t it?
I never knew about Oprah til you mentioned it! Am going to sit her right down on my couch and give her a good talking to!
well done Molly, what an achiever you are! X
Not at all – but sometimes you have to pat yourself on the back don’t you?! It’s so easy to get bogged down with what’s still to do, rather than appreciating what’s actually been done.
Wowzers! That’s a long way to come in a lifetime let alone a year. Be proud of yourself Molly, step back to enjoy such a huge leap forward in your life. Pace yourself there’s a long wat still to go..x
Great advice Linz – you been hanging out with Oprah too recently?!
Sounds like you’re doing pretty damn well to me! Know the feeling though, in the midst of the chaos having a newborn I had to point out to wifey that in just over a year we have had 2 children and been all the way to New Zealand with one of them.
New Zealand? I would LOVE to take F there! Congratulations on your BIBs Award too!
Oh yes, did 3 weeks there with a 5 month old Matilda. Drove 3,000km in a camper van and watched the rugby world cup 🙂
And thanks, was most unexpected
AMAZING! And I thought I was being adventurous taking my toddler glamping to Cornwall this summer – yours is an adventure I’d love to experience.