April 24,2022
Let me preface this by saying, it has been a hot minute since I’ve written a post for my Blog! Needless to say, much in my life as well as in many other people’s lives have changed/occurred these past couple of years. This will be one of my longest posts.
I typically like to write about all things motivational and positive but, in reality life is unfortunately, not always sunshine and rainbows. Which leads me to the content of this post. Top Ten Things I learned in 2020/2021…here we go…
1. Not everyone has a positive mindset.
2. I set my standards way too high.
3. The real sides of people come out in a crisis.
4. “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket”.
5. There are givers and takers.
6. People need one on one connection.
7. Fitness is fun at home. (For a while)
8. I don’t do well when not on a schedule.
9. My family is more important than anything.
10. My dog is amazing!
11. I’ve learned to use less toilet paper! (I know I said 10 but, I had to throw that one in there!)
Deeper dive? Why sure, thanks for asking!
1. To say I was surprised and disappointed with the upheaval and turmoil in the world the past couple of years is putting it mildly. I do sincerely try to look for the best in most situations and in people but, I will say this way of being was truly put to the test in both cases. I can’t tell you how many times I found myself scraping my chin off the floor as I watched the news or scrolled through social media. In my experience the way you think and react (or not react) to situations and people is a game changer. Using and being in a positive mindset has served me well!
2. I’m a rule follower to a tee! Always have and probably always will be. Therefore, in my little perfect rule following bubble I have found that I have set my standards for myself and therefore, others way too high! Never was this more realized as I observed those around me the past couple of years. I was so grateful to have been given the following feedback from a very dear friend, “not everyone is Robin Andes”. Why am I grateful for this feedback? Just because I do things a certain way and believe it to be right doesn’t mean it’s the only way or the way everyone else does it! It’s unfortunate that more people in our world don’t accept that type of amazing feedback.
3. I wear my heart on my sleeve which is a blessing and a curse, what you see is what you get. Maybe it’s not a surprise to all of you but, not everyone is like me in that sense, NOT EVEN CLOSE! What I witnessed the past couple of years is that the real side of people really does come out in a crisis whether that side is good or bad. I found myself doing a lot of gasping, holding my tongue and promoting positivity more than I ever have before!
4. As far as putting all your eggs in one basket I now know, as I think many of us do, to always have a plan, think outside of the box, realize not everything in life will run smoothly all the time and everything is not always black and white! Be open to shifting!
5. Throughout the last two years I have seen so many beautiful acts of kindness which made my heart happy! I do love when a tragedy pulls good people together and makes us stop and think how short life really is and to be kinder to one another throughout the process! Unfortunately, I also witnessed those who took advantage of situations to serve their own agenda and those particular individuals forced me into tasting the bitterness and unkind reality of some of our humanity. This taught me how to never be.
6. I am definitely not a loner! I love connecting with people! I love a good time! Not being able to go to my place of work (I’m a fitness instructor), concerts, social gatherings, dinners with groups of friends or even saying hello and offering a smile to a stranger at a grocery store was more difficult for me than I could have ever imagined! This was probably the hardest part of the past two years for me. In my experience, isolation is truly not healthy! Although, in a way, I’m grateful for having gone through this as I now have such a greater appreciation for the connections I have made and will continue to make throughout my life!
7. During the first few months of the Pandemic, I taught virtual online fitness classes to friends and those current students who had previously attended my in-person classes. It was fun for a while and quite therapeutic because it did allow for continued connection. But I did find that I felt an emptiness as time wore on and decided it was depressing me more than healing me. I was never so grateful to be able to go back to the gym and social distance teach! I love those smiling in-person faces!
8. Oh, the schedule! I am a creature of habit and I love a schedule! As a Personal Trainer, Fitness Instructor and Health & Fitness Coach I am often asked, “How do I make myself follow through with a healthy lifestyle?” For me personally the answer has always been routine or schedule! If I don’t treat my workouts like a doctor or physical therapy visit it probably won’t get done! This is one of the reasons I taught virtually for a while, so I would have a routine. Once I stopped the virtual classes it didn’t take long before I knew I had to create a new routine for myself! The fitness routine side of my wellness went well but, as time wore on the nutrition side of my wellness hit a few bumps in the road. I know many can relate! Fortunately, I know what to do to rectify that and I am back in the healthy nutrition saddle!
9. I don’t know about you but, thank goodness for family! We may not have always agreed on everything throughout the last two years but, we respected one another’s differences of opinion and still continued to unconditionally love one another! This, I think, is the most unfortunate part of the last two years, witnessing how people treated one another with disdain and hatred just because they had a difference of opinion. That old “need to be right mindset” in action and in my opinion it’s not very attractive.
10. Oh yes, my dog! I’m so happy to have had the unconditional love of my puppy! She soothed my heart, licked my tears and helped keep us alert and healthy with all those outdoor walks in nature! If you don’t have a pet, I highly recommend one, they are THE BEST therapy! They listen to your rants without batting an eye and still love you!
11. Last but not least the TP! I truly was taking my toilet paper usage for granted but, never again! I even ended up having to send some to my son in Florida. You just never know!
I truly feel I have grown as a person the last two years whether from my own circumstances and viewpoints or from observing those of others. I hope you too have found a bit of positivity from our circumstances and have not dwelled on the downside for too long. Life is truly very short!
Take a moment to think about your top ten. Your list may look like mine or it may look completely different and that’s wonderful because that is what makes us all unique! As long as we continue to grow and learn THAT, my friends, is a beautiful thing!
Love,
Robin
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