How has January 2024 been for you? It seems that most people that I speak to both personally and professionally, have experienced a really challenging month. I too, am in that category. Hopefully, you are sitting comfortably with a cuppa as I share this story. After all a good strong cup of tea really does
help in the most unfortunate situations.
I had a great last day of 2023; I enjoyed a lovely meal with a friend, spent time with family and then went to church. It was my first time attending a New Year’s Eve service in a few years and it felt good to be there. So I started 2024 in a really positive place, had a relaxing New Year’s Day, went on a very muddy walk and was filled with optimism as I started a brand spanking new 2024 journal. Then things took a slightly different turn.
On the 2nd January I was visiting London with my mum, it was a girl’s shopping trip, and we were looking forward to getting a few things in the sales. We were walking down a busy main road and unbeknownst to me there was an uneven paving stone. I stumbled and twisted my ankle, both ways, in a bid to stop from falling into the main road. I knew at that very moment that I had seriously hurt my ankle. However, in true “I am a woman and we just get on with things” style I carried on to the next shop. I then drove us to Ikea, but at this point I was limping a lot and experiencing severe pain.
After the 45-minute drive home, I could only hop into my house, literally. Out came the frozen peas, painkillers and all manner of home remedies to manage my very swollen ankle. An appointment with a professional confirmed I had sprained, but thankfully not fractured my ankle. I was unexpectedly forced to spend a couple of days being a lot less still than I had expected. But the stillness caused me to reflect on what we can do to maintain our wellness in the midst of busyness and also the unexpected eventualities and curve balls that life can bring our way. I’d like to share them with you.
Firstly, having the right mind-set is really key, after all what we think, and how we think really matters. A mind-set that says ‘this is just temporary’ and remains solutions-focused is helpful. The ability to remain positive and optimistic makes a big difference. During day 2 of my recovery, I accepted a speaker invitation for later in the month, 100 miles away, something which I probably would not have done if I was a more negative and pessimistic thinker.
Developing emotional intelligence, specifically, the ability to understand emotions, manage and then regulate them is essential. There are many aspects of life that are completely outside of our control, from difficult clients to sickness and financial challenges due to the cost of living. Yet, how we respond emotionally is important. This year let’s work on developing our emotional intelligence.
Additionally, having a support system, a community, and healthy relationships are vital in maintaining
wellness. Life is consistently changing, and sometimes the stability in our lives comes from the people we are connected to and the positive impact they make. It is necessary to invest in this part of our lives, intentionally.
In the drama of a sprained ankle at the very start of the year, I was afforded lots of time for reflection. Whilst I have clearly defined business goals for 2024, the other aspects of life that provide enrichment, value, and purpose must also be considered. I would encourage you also to consider the aspects of your own life that help you to remain well, and make a plan to ensure these are maintained. Have a great week ahead.
Francesca McDowall, January 2024