Whatever your IT is, it matters. Your mental health? Your friends/family? Your IT matters because your situation and your life are unique to you and you alone. Life is your ship to sail. MY “IT MATTERS” because I am worth all of the time, I put into taking care of myself. I chose to be brave last year. I took a chance on myself. I didn’t bounce my idea off another soul. I just showed up for myself. Life is about growing pains. I joined Worcester Fitness; I left WWs after a tumultuous 15-year relationship. Why? WWs has embraced a philosophy I do not agree with, so I jumped off their bandwagon. Guess what? There is life after a breakup.

I love my gym. ME! Yes, I said it. I LOVE MY GYM!!!! I have mostly maintained the same weight as when I walked into the gym that first day for my tour of their facilities. My weight is an up and down battle. It always will be, and I am fine with that. My overall health is excellent, in my opinion. I am learning yoga. Me, a yogi, who would have ever thought I would be doing this? I LOVE, luv, love my BARRE class. I secretly always wanted to be a ballerina when I was a little girl. I just jumped back into the pool last week. I forgot how much I love to swim. I admit I am a touch slow, and my strokes are rusty, but I am having a blast. I grab one of many different classes offered on Saturday when my schedule allows it. I am proud to say I am in my second year of belonging to this gym. I see myself partaking in what this establishment has to offer into my foreseeable future.

Every time I take a chance on myself, it is to find balance within my life, I learn things about myself. Some things I keep, some things I discard, and some things I modify. Sometimes I stubbornly hang onto people or issues in an attempt to fix these things. I have learned that this is a personality flaw on my part. I am working on letting go of people and situations that no longer bring me peace instead of giving in and feeling miserable because I gave in instead of moving on.

I have worked at a TJMAXX Distibution Center for nearly forty years, on a five-day workweek Monday through Fridays. In February of this year, I made a huge work life change. I now work four days a week, 10 hours a day. My weekends are longer (yes, me likey) but so is my workday. It seems like a match made in the heavens but that would be a lie. I love having Fridays off, but it comes with a price. During the week when I leave in the morning for work it is dark. I come home in the afternoon, and it gets dark quickly. The only sunlight I get is on the weekends or if I go outside while I am on lunch. Quite frankly, it has put me into a moody state. The shitty summer weather has not helped either, but the time has come (yes, once again) to haul up my BIG GIRL panties, hitch up my saddle and ride this pony off into a beautiful sunset.

Choosing your own well-being over people or situations in your life that causes undue stress is why it matters. Loving who you are at this moment is why it matters. I matter, so do you. Learn what you are worth. Never give up on the person you are meant to be. Love the people in your life the best way you know how, and remember I am by your side whenever you need me. Embrace the sunshine whenever you can. Be kind, learn to listen. You are enough! You are loved! I enjoy having you in my life. I am thankful for your participation in my world.