A new year, a new chapter

Happy New Year, everyone!!

I've spent a lot of thinking, journaling and list-making over the last few weeks about where I want to take this little blog in this next year. It wasn't easy. You see, a few months ago I started to panic. I started to panic that my blog was just a boring ol' blog. I was playing the keeping up with the Jones' game. My blog doesn't have sponsors! There are no ads! I've never done a giveaway! My design is terrible! Major companies or industry people are not contacting me! I have less than 100 followers! I'm not making any money! Omg, I'm such a failure!!

I know. I can be such a spaz. Don't worry, I've had a couple of important epiphanies since then - this is my journey and what I put into it is what I get out of it - and all is right with the world again.

We are about to embark on a new chapter friends! This new direction can be summed up in three words: Dialogue. Inspiration. Focus.

Dialogue

I want Better late than never to be a place for conversation and idea sharing. I want to hang out and kick it with y'all. That's why a blog exists, is it not? Us bloggers are not writing to hear ourselves talk, are we??  It's about YOU, my readers, my audience. Which leads me to the next area...

Inspiration

I genuinely want to inspire you! Whether I'm writing about fitness, sharing my Hungry Dancer recipes or discussing my latest dance adventures, I want you to feel, to believe, that you can go out and DO, too. That's how Better late than never came to be... I followed my heart and began a dance career in my late twenties. You can do something just as crazy and unconventional, too! Trust me, you can.

Focus

And how am I going to accomplish all of this? Through focus. I've been talking about doing this for months, but I think I've finally figured out my game plan. What this means on my end is following a schedule, working on my design and layout, figuring out some basic (keyword here is basic) technical stuff, and seeking help with the technical stuff that is beyond basic (which is a lot). What this means for you is (hopefully) informative posts, a pretty blog to look at and read, and a place where you enjoy spending a little part of your day. Sound like a deal?

I am SO excited about this new journey we're embarking on! Yes, we. Vamos, amigos!

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Let's get this party started right here and now... What do you hope to see here in the coming year? What kinds of topics would  you like me to cover? Do you have questions you've been itching to ask? It doesn't have to be dance or fitness related, so ask away!

xoxo

J

Mind games

Last week, while lunging, planking and squatting (and not too happy about it), I had an epiphany. Now, I'm one of those weirdo people who gets really jazzed by a hard workout, one that simply kicks my butt. I don't feel it's worth my time otherwise. Another confession? I really love the gym.

So if I love the gym so much and love getting schooled, then why the above stated unhappiness? I felt weak and more fatigued than usual and I really don't like feeling that way. Frankly, that's lamesauce in my book. My epiphany: I am not in shape and this is not okay. If I'm to call myself a dancer and an athlete, I need to act like one. Which means getting my sweat on even when I don't feel like it.

Therein lies the true battle. We all know how this goes. Whether elite athlete or recreational gym rat, each one of us has a bag of excuses which we reach into when faced with the choice to exercise or not. The truth? Not one of those excuses are legit*. It's our own brain playing tricks.

So how do we beat ourselves at our own mind games? Throw some game right back! It doesn't have to be complicated. Here are some tried and true tricks I use on myself.

• Pack your workout bag and carry it along with your briefcase or backpack. When it's t-minus an hour until gym time and your excuses begin to surface, tell yourself you didn't carry around that extra bag all day for nothing.
• Make a gym date with a friend. You don't want to be that person who stands up your friend, do you? The power of accountability is amazing!
• Sign up for a race or any other kind competition. Setting a tangible goal (and paying registration fees!) is solid motivation.
• Take pics of yourself in your underwear. Yes, completely awkward and will make you squirm. But worth it! This is one of the best motivators to don't think, DO. (But keep it classy, folks. Those pics are just for you, not the interwebs at large.)

Images via Pinterest

What are your fool-proof tricks to getting yourself to that class, on that trail or popping in that workout video? Dish! I have a feeling we all could use a few more defenses in our arsenal.

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo

J

*Disclaimer: being ill or injured are legit reasons to pause. I am not encouraging exercise while on the sidelines. Be smart. Always check with your doctor if uncertain!

Sabali

Sabali. Patience.

Patience is the toughest virtue for me to master. When I want something, really want something... I'm not talking about the instant gratification types of coveting, like wanting a Chipotle burrito for lunch or wishing all the traffic lights would be green as I hustle across town to my next obligation... waiting patiently for it is so. damn. hard. Especially if I feel it's something I'm meant to do or be. I feel it physically, like my soul is being squeezed... at times I have crumbled to the floor in tears yearning for things that have yet to enter my life (which sounds so pathetic now that I'm actually writing that out loud, ugh), things I want so badly to be my life.

Then, just as I am on the brink of yet another tearful breakdown, someone or something crosses my path, reminding me to look at my feet. Be present in the moment where I am standing right now. For where you are right now prepares you for where you want to go. And where I am standing right now is exactly where I am supposed to be... right now.

I have big dreams that I'm working to make reality and there are big changes coming over the horizon... I'm both excited and scared (which further excites me!), but I often have to remind myself to breathe and not to get so caught up in dreaming and hoping for what's ahead that I'm neglecting what I can work on now to prepare me for when those dreams and changes arrive at my feet.

I recently created a playlist on my iPod entitled "Sabali". Naturally it's getting a bunch of play time right now. One of the songs on constant replay inspired the title of this post. It's not an actual video, but it's one to just listen to anyhow...

xoxo
J