How is it possible I sweat more in the winter than summer? I thought to myself, pushing my trusty metallic pink carry-on suitcase and duffel with my right hand, and holding my pink Stanley cup in my left. I’m a vision, I imagine. Chunky boots, 2 pairs of socks, a thin but warming pair of leggings under my travel joggers, thick crewneck sweater, plaid scarf, and the biggest/longest puffer jacket I’ve ever worn (not owned because I stole it from my brother’s closet. He just moved to NY…how could he leave it behind??). I tell myself the multitude of clothes are for Future Me, because the location I’m headed to was forecasted to have weather in the negatives. I don’t think I can risk having any piece of skin exposed. I can actually freeze or get frostbite…uh, what does frostbite look like – asking for a friend?
I’m departing chilly DC and headed to frigid Chicago, Illinois for my first business trip. It’s a strategic workshop with my company’s Asian business professional group. The work we do off the side of our desks, but it’s important work. My managers understand that and encourage me to pursue it – I’m gracious to have the opportunity to step away from my typical workday.
It’s been a draining and depressing few weeks, so this trip comes at a good time. It was a chaotic holiday season, I started this year on a flat, and my grandaunt passed. Largest pitfall of all, I didn’t get a promotion or raise with my review. I was showered with golden stars, but I won’t be with numbers. It’s discouraging and I’m very disappointed and sad.
I’m really leaning into that energy that comes with some change in scenery, and looking forward to turning my focus on something that brings me passion and drives me to be more, as well as the chance to be open with people that understand me and can maybe provide me with some professional advice on how to get where I want to go.
Every day is a fresh start, and Joy will find me here, read my laptop wallpapers. I’m remembering that when you put these motivational affirmations in places you encounter frequently, you can help yourself too. It’s a small but easy way to recenter! Here are some ideas for this life hack:
- As aforementioned, change your background wallpaper, like on your computer, mobile device, tablet, etc. Whenever you turn on, wake up, or crack open your device, you can have it there ready for you to immerse yourself in.
- Write it down on a post-it note to put on your mirror, desk, or scribble it in your agenda book’s in today’s box. Use pen! Or heck, use Sharpie. Be deliberate about it. The mere act of physically writing it is therapeutic and brings your intention to life. The colorful, bold statements will sing out to you from where you put them.
- Make or purchase a bracelet with your phrase. You’ll catch sight of it when you reach for your favorite beverage in the fridge, when you’re brushing your pet, when you’re typing an email on your laptop, and plenty of other moments. It’s nice to have it on your person – it will become a part of you sooner.
- Get a sticker to put on your own Stanley, Owala, Hydroflask, or any other water bottle you own (why are there so many brands trending? Go put a sticker on all of them if you rotate them). When you rehydrate yourself, you’ll be able to also refill yourself with words.
- If you just carry your phone around, invest in a nice case with it printed on the back. Take care of your phone, and take care of yourself.
- Make a habit of saying it to yourself aloud every day. Maybe you’ll doing makeup in the bathroom or going up the elevator. If there’s people around, you can mouth it to yourself or wait until no one is around to whisper it to yourself. Like writing it physically, speaking it puts it out there for the world to hear and answer you. Manifestation is key, so if you can’t talk, simply think it. Think it as loud as you could yell it.
- More extreme, but you could get a tattoo as well!
On that last note, I think it’s important to think about placement. You need to put these little boosters where you can see them, and where they can shine. For example, if you put it on the back of your laptop, it’s mostly only visible to people who pass by or when you close the flap. It’s not in your line of sight, where it should be. Or, you might have it on the base near where your arms rest, and it get rubbed off over time. It’ll look weaker and faded and can’t send as powerful of a message. The phone case should be good quality to represent taking care of yourself and your personal item, and that way it doesn’t get removed as well. Make sure to place your phone face down to reap the full benefits so you can see the design. If a tattoo is on your back, I’m sure it’s gorgeous but make the effort to check it out in the mirror so it can work its magic. I guess this is the feng shui of inspiring quotes.
Remember how far you have come while also recognizing: YOU ARE STILL BECOMING, reads the MHN phone wallpaper on my lock screen. MHN, Morgan Harper Nichols. This artist is one of my favorites because her digital art wallpapers are full of expression and always seem to capture exactly what I need to hear. I have this one because it’s time to dig myself out of the hole I’ve fallen into.
We can’t control life, no matter how much we wish to. We can’t turn back time to alter anything. The only true way through is forward. I like MHN’s becoming prose because it reminds me that I have done a lot of good and hard work to be where I am. I’m in a place I wished for myself many moons ago. I’m blessed and overall happy, but I also acknowledge that I’m still becoming.
I’ve finally cooled off from what felt like a mile’s walk from the TSA checkpoint to the gate, an additional exercise trudging all my belongings down the tunnel to step onto my plane, and the walk all the way to row 30, where I swiftly lifted my suitcase into the top bin. I could not believe I did it all by myself. I can and I will, I told myself this morning when it was still dark out. I gaze out the airplane window. I’m feeling quite cozy bundled up in my brother’s jacket, sipping on ginger ale and enjoying the sensation of the smooth keyboard under my fingertips. I did and I did.
Before the flight, I looked out at this gorgeous sunrise spilling its vibrant orange over the horizon.
On this flight, my view is the wing with its blue tip puncturing a backdrop of pure blue sky above it, and the clouds beneath it.
I felt hope in the amber glow of the sun waking up, and I see the promise of a blank canvas between this post I’m typing and the sheet of white outside the window. I’m becoming. And maybe it’s a little less about becoming and more about shedding a layer (hopefully this jacket at some point), to be revitalized and reborn into the perfect person that you are, just as you are.
I know I have the tools to get me where I want to go next. I can do anything. This has literally been my first flight by myself, on my first professional business trip, and I’m being exactly who I wish to be am. A strong woman who is fully herself, who is soaring in all areas of her life, who knows she is ready. I am ready for my fresh start, for continuing to become, and knowing that joy will find me.
Because it will.
