Ways I've grown since my original Late Bloomer

So in all honesty I posted my original Late Bloomer piece just in the last couple months, but it was actually written a couple years ago when I first signed up for Vocal, it has been just sitting in my drafts.

I wanted to just start pushing my work out though so I posted it just because it was something I had intended to back then.

I just read it again yesterday though, realizing that I'm not exactly that person anymore. And that I have actually grown in ways since.

Although I still don't have all of life's answers, and will still bust out any Veggie Tales songs on the spot, some other things have changed. I think I know what is making this happen, and looking back it's happened quite quickly, over this last 6 months to a year (I'll get into that in a bit).

Things like not sleeping in till the last possible minute, then scrambling frantically to try and get ready, not making myself late to the bus. But instead getting up more easily without snoozing my alarm 5 times, and giving myself enough time to enjoy a cup of coffee, and even sneak in part of my favorite show I'm obsessing over (currently Fear The Walking Dead).

I usually will use that time to throw some make-up on, nothing over the top, just enough to make me feel pretty.

And I used to be TERRIBLE at time management. So bad, that my family would tell me that the time to show up was actually 30 minutes to an hour before the time we were actually supposed to meet. This just happened a couple days ago actually. My family rarely gets together, but my little cousin was having a gender reveal party, so my sister had me show up to our meeting place 30 min early and I was like "Why did you do that??" And she told me it cause I am always running late.

To be fair, it had been a while since we had a get together and I realized they did not know, so I informed them like this "Oh valid point. But I forgot to tell you, I've grown up now!"

Yes, this was coming from my 34 year old mouth.

They were thrilled to hear the news though.

Also my diet is changing rapidly. Like it used to be the biggest struggle for me to drink water on a regular basis, seriously. And I have kidney issues so that has caused me to have more trouble with kidney stones than necessary. But now it's like I am craving water on a normal basis. And weird little side-note, I have always loved Frappuccinos, they have always been my go-to's, but lately I have been choosing iced coffee's instead.

Food wise I used to love fast food, but now it just makes my stomach hurt.

I also noticed my taste in music is changing. I've been going through my playlist and removing a lot of songs that are more on the wild/loud side, and choosing stuff that is calmer. Plus I feel like I have moved out of the more negative vibing side, and am into more positive uplifting music.

My thought process has also been changing. It is not so much fear/anxiety based responses, but more-so responses coming from a place of gratitude and peace. Even if I have an overwhelming thought, I am able to redirect myself pretty quickly, and reframe it into something with a positive outlook. It really has changed my life for the better. The power of thought is amazing if you're willing to practice positive thinking.

The biggest and best change I have noticed is my ability to not be battling my addiction so bad every day. This is the first time I have been able to stay sober on my own without having to have some kind of treatment. I used to fight cravings/thinking errors every day consistently, and I'd usually lose. But now for some reason it feels like I'm outgrowing the addictions and negative thinking patterns and moving into a different and better place in myself that's solidifying in me.

I don't even have the slightest desire or want to be anywhere near that world, and it's been such a huge burden lifted off of me. For anyone struggling with any kind of disease like that you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Some of these things are simple and silly, others are life changing and impactful. I don't know if it's age or wisdom, or the combination of the two. I feel though, that a huge part of it is me consistently doing the coping skills I mentioned in my Ways I Stay Sober piece every single day. I don't do every one of them every day, I just try and do at least one. It works!

But if you're struggling with something don't ever give up fighting. Keep trying. And if you feel you feel like what you're doing isn't working, try switching it up a bit, maybe even try a coping skill I mention in the link I will put here for you. Can't hurt to try right?

Just remember, years worth of damage is not going to heal overnight. You have to keep practicing them or it won't work. If you were able to fight to stay sick for that long, give yourself the chance to make the same effort with those simple positive steps and I think you'll be surprised!

I truly appreciate your support you've shown me, remember you're not alone!