While some company’s financial results are reported quarterly, I’m here to report the results from my quarterly word of the first year, “Onward.” As I wrote in January’s blog, “onward” was a state of mind I needed to be in as I started the new year. It gave me hope. It gave me momentum. It give me a sense of agency, helping me make new and better decisions. In fact, in the first few months of the year, I was able to move on from situations that were no longer working.
Now that I’m settled in my new office and I’m in my groove, I’ve decided to use the word, “fortitude” to propel me through the 2nd quarter until the end of June. “Fortitude” is the ability to face challenges with resilience and resolve. It helps you focus when the going gets tough. I’m relying on fortitude to navigate my new client work and my new brand standards. Fortitude is about growth and learning. With more fortitude, I will be able to remain firmly grounded in who I am so no matter what happens.
Here are four things I’m doing right now to cultivate fortitude.
1. Keeping my body healthy: I’ve never been a gym rat but I can vouch for the amazing, positive mental benefits of doing exercise daily. My current routine involves a place called SolidCore and my muscles couldn’t be happier. Not to mention, their motto is to “fail with us,” which gets at the importance of getting out of your comfort zone and teaching your body to work differently. I’ve also been staying true to my pescatarian diet, which I’ve been on for the last 10 years, and making sure I get my 8 hours of shut eye each night.
2. Surrounding myself with positive people and relationships: They say that all relationships are mirrors and that you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. So with that, I’ve been more intentional about my relationships. I am more aware of setting boundaries and seek joy in being able to connect with the people dearest to me.
3. Practice Self-Care: I’ve found, taking care of your well-being is essential for cultivating fortitude. In addition to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, I engage in activities that bring me relaxation and joy. For me, this means leaving work at work throughout the week, then on weekends, doing things that make me feel relaxed and grounded. This past weekend, I went to a yoga retreat that left me so relaxed and rejuvenated, it was the perfect reminder of importance of self-compassion. Learning to listen to and trust your own body feels amazing.
4. Gratitude: While it can feel more easier to think of all this is wrong and missing from life, all that negative thinking can drag one down. After spending some time reflecting at the yoga retreat, I realized how many beautiful things I already have in my life right now. From now on, I’m going to make it a habit take some time at the end of the day to write down the things I’m grateful for.
As I cultivate “fortitude” from my feet to my head, I can already feel my inner strength slowly building. By getting grounded, I am starting to creating space for new insights and new possibilities. Check back with me in July – I can’t wait to share what happened.