Turing Points
Photo by Roger Bradshaw on Unsplash
I know I’ve talked about being lost, about slowly finding myself again. I’ve talked about how YOUapp has played a big role in that.
Last Eid, at the family gathering with my husband’s family. When it was getting late and I was so sleepy because insomnia kept me up the night before, we were playing a game with a ball that is covered with questions, where you throw the ball to the person across from you and you have to answer the question that’s you see first. My question was: what was a Turing point in your life.
Though I was too tired to answer, I knew what the answer was: Joining the YOUapp community, I remember how lost I was, I had 4 kids, my youngest was a baby. I had no time for myself, I was very bad at giving myself priority. I didn’t know how to delegate. I thought the Earth would stop spinning if my house wasn’t clean so I never went out or did anything fun for myself because I had this never-ending guilt that my house should be clean.
This community helped me start going to the gym for the first time in my life, it taught me how to delegate. It showed me how micro actions made a big difference keeping my house clean-er never really clean because I had little kids who needed me all the time and made messes all the time and I learned that was ok.
They were there when I was lost and just beginning to find myself. They were there when I lost my grandfather, went through two miscarriages, they helped me through the stress and joy of planning my brother’s wedding. They were there for R’s diagnosis and celebrated his recovery, they were there when my sweet grandmother passed away. They witnessed my youngest’s pregnancy, delivery and in all honesty his whole life. They are real friends, even if they are all far way. This app has made something remarkable that may have seemed impossible to all of us until we came together and became a part of this community.
I am so sorry to see it slowly go, with every new phone, we lose a member on the app. But we still keep in touch in various ways.
I’ve changed in so many ways for the better and although I’m not where I want to be I am so much closer thanks to this amazing community and all of my YOU friends. I will always be grateful for finding YOUapp and becoming a part of YOU’s amazing community.
I need to emphasize that I did and still do have the love and support of my husband and family. Sometimes, you need a friend to pull you out of that rut your stuck in. I know I am who I am today because of all the amazing people in my life and for that I will always be grateful.
You see, the app was the nudge I needed, it was simple, daily micro actions that helped me accomplish so much without being the least bit overwhelming. Thats the key; micro actions. It also made me more mindful, I noticed the small details more, I found joy in the most simple things. I know there are a lot of people talking about mindfulness now, and it is a very important habit to learn. Life will never be perfect but their are so many joyful details to a day; your first cup of coffee/ tea of the day, a bird perched on your windup, a beautiful sunrise\sunset, a message from a loved one that made you smile… We just need not this moments and enjoy them.
As I continue to find balance in many aspects of my life, I hope I inspire someone who is lost too, and help them find their way. It’s so easy to lose balance in the different aspects of your life when you are busy with what seems like never ending tasks. I almost canceled my class at the gym the other day because I have so much to do, then I realized I did have time for one hour at the gym and it will defiantly do me good.
It is already August and the year is more than half way done, I think I am closer to my goal for this year; “balance”. I am doing better at taking care of myself while taking care of others. I realize that “balance” isn’t an easy goal andI’m not expecting to find 100% balance by the end of the year. As long as I’m progressing, I’ve achieved it.
I’m learning not to be too hard on myself. Celebrate the small wins, be more mindful of how I’m feeling and accept it. Accepting the ups and downs of life is important. Balance is the key.