Magical May

I made a Facebook post at the beginning of the month that read, "I used to love May, my birth month. Now, not so much. Ready for this month to be over" It’s my birthday month and it seems like my celebration came and went so quickly.

My plate is so full, it’s running over. That’s definitely not something I feel I should ever complain about, but I did. And I acknowledge that whatever I feel is valid. I am curious as why I was feeling some type of way. I turned 34 this year. I wonder what 34 is supposed to be feel and look like. For me, I feel great and look great. I am so grateful for my body and all I am capable of doing.

As a mom of 3 boys, wife and full-time project manager by day, yoga teacher + mindfulness coach by night, things can get a little overwhelming. I kept asking for opportunities to grow my business and I kept receiving them because I was in alignment and taking action. I then got to a point to where I realized it was seriously just too much.

Between my oldest 2 sons finishing out their school year and graduating to their next taekwondo belt, finding summer activities, and finishing all the end of year activities, it was a lot. My birthday, my oldest sons and my husband’s birthday are all in May. Not to mention my 3 sisters in law birthday, best friends' birthday and other family members and friends, it seems like a lot. I seriously wanted to only focus on me for the whole month but that’s just not the case, obviously.

Seems a bit selfish, I know. And that’s okay. First week of May is also Huntsville Yoga Week and I worked to help out on Monday as a Light On Yoga staff member, helped on Wednesday and supported my team as a Grow Yoga staff member and closed out yoga week teaching with my dear friend Leah! It was truly an honor to teach at the Orion for HYW and with my friend. I also had the honor and privilege of coteaching with my sweet friend Megan at an amazing women's festival called ALGOW hosted by Mario Brito that Friday. I taught my regular Sunday 4pm class and it was Mother’s Day! Many thought, “why are you working on Mother’s Day?” And all I could think was, it’s not work if you love what you do. I love it so much that I would spend my Mother’s Day with other fellow yogis!

I have been showered with so much love and appreciation since the month has started but without my intentional gratitude practice, it seemed challenging to face all the things that I should be grateful for.

I’ve nearly stretched myself thin trying to meet every opportunity and goal set. I had an awesome workshop planned for the end of May but had to postpone. I felt a bit like a failure and that I was not meeting my expectations of a purposeful planned year. I didn’t want to let anyone down but mostly I let myself down. The workshop will have a new date but with more purposeful planning. I did not have any marketing ready to go, I have other details (will keep a secret for now) that had not come together. The date was getting closer and closer and I just felt too unprepared. I wanted to offer something that felt complete and whole to me to share with others, and it just wasn’t there yet. When the new date is chosen it will work out seamlessly. For now, I will work out the details and share them at a later date.

I still have a few more things to get through this month like additional yoga teacher training and publishing my next journal.

I’m a gratitude girly and for a moment or few, I wasn’t and I could tell. When I’m not intentionally practicing gratitude, I can definitely tell. I am proud of myself for noticing my lack of gratitude appreciation and practice.

I have decided that for the rest of May, I will not be taking on anything else. If it’s not already booked and scheduled I cannot commit. I am prioritizing myself and my family right now. Next time I ask for new opportunities to grow my business, I’ll be more specific.

I realize I needed to slow down. I was so excited to take on so many opportunities to grow my business. I felt like I was losing balance in other areas of life.

In the hopes of slowing down and being even more present, join me for a yin class on my YouTube! I have a 15 minute and a 35 minute class available. One class uses blocks and one class does not. I hope you give yourself the moments you need to slow down too! Let’s slow down and be grateful.

With love,

Erika B.