The past year has been a whirlwind for me. Thinking back, it’s hard to believe how much has changed—and how many unexpected challenges popped up along the way. From major life transitions to a couple of significant injuries, it would’ve been easy to give up. To let the negativity of my circumstances take over. However, that’s not what happened. Through each and every challenge, I’ve found ways to stay positive and adapt, one small step at a time.
Let me walk you through my 2024 journey. I’ll share some of the ways I’ve maintained a growth mindset and embraced change, even when it felt overwhelming.
A Year of Major Changes and Setbacks
January 2024 was a pivotal month for me. The start of the year is always a time of great momentum for me. I often use the downtime between Christmas and New Year’s to slow down and reflect. That way I’m ready to hit the ground running in January.
I got recertified as a personal trainer and became a certified menopause specialist after realizing I was in perimenopause myself. I realized I wanted to take control of my health as I moved into unchartered territory. Not just for myself, but for other women going through similar experiences. Alongside this, I began seeing a naturopath. I wanted to uncover the root causes of my symptoms and gain a deeper understanding of my body’s changing needs.
Right after this empowering step, life presented its first curveball of 2024—a slip and fall from the previous winter left me with a frozen shoulder. I know that sounds weird that it took a year to manifest but apparently, it’s very common in perimenopausal women. This injury lingered for seven months. It took seven full months to get full mobility back. I saw a physical therapist for about a month and a half and then spent the remainder of the seven months doing exercises on my own. This was extremely frustrating for someone who’s used to being active and pain-free.
In March, more change came our way. My husband received a promotion that required us to move from New Hampshire to Florida. While excited, it was still a big change that we were not expecting at that time.
The Big Move and Second Injury
By June, we had sold our NH home, and shortly after, found our new place in the Sunshine State. Just as we were settling into the idea of this massive relocation, I suffered my second injury of the year in July—a fractured foot with damaged cartilage due to an unfortunate run in with my daughter. By that I mean she literally ran her foot into mine when I was stretching out on the floor and jammed two of my toes back into their sockets. OUCH!
This injury didn’t seem bad at first. I had broken toes before and knew they would just take x-rays, possibly tape my toes together and tell me to stay off of them as much as possible. So, I just went about my business and tried to slow down as much as possible during a big move.
Some days I seemed to be on the mend and other days I overdid it and paid the price. Finally, I got an X-ray that said there was no break. My fracture went undiagnosed for two months due to repeated misreads on X-rays and the delay in getting an MRI once I was in Florida. Even with this foot issue, I embarked on a dream summer cruise from Italy to the Greek islands, walking an average of 15,000 to 20,000 steps a day (which, in hindsight, probably didn’t help!).
I am still dealing with this issue as I write this and again it is having a major impact on the way I am able to work out. Feet are kind of important to movement because they are your foundation. Without a strong foundation it’s difficult to move properly. I haven’t given up and will continue to modify my workouts and see my orthopedic surgeon if pain persists after the round of anti-inflammatory medication he prescribed.
Where I am Today
By the end of August, we had officially moved to Florida. It was a bit overwhelming in the beginning, but I am happy to say we are settling in nicely. As of today, October 9th, when I am writing this, I’m preparing for my second hurricane in two weeks while trying to stay current with my blog and simultaneously working to launch my new podcast. I’m not going to lie. It’s a lot for one person to handle. With possible power and internet outages lurking over my head, not to mention the prep work that goes into being prepared for the worst, it’s been tough to keep a steady momentum.
Finding Positivity in the Chaos
So, how did I manage to stay positive through all of this? To be honest, I’ve had my moments of frustration, disappointment, and exhaustion. Did I mention a few tears? However, at the core of it all, is my undying belief that I’m in control of how I respond to these circumstances. I may not be able to control the circumstances themselves, but I can certainly decide how I react to them. It’s all about perspective—and a growth mindset.
Instead of focusing on the setbacks, I’ve tried to approach each situation with curiosity, I find myself asking “What can I learn from this?” or “How can I adapt to make the most of where I am now?” It truly makes all the difference.
Embracing a Growth Mindset
A growth mindset is the belief that challenges are opportunities for growth and learning, NOT just obstacles in your path. This mindset has been my anchor, especially when I didn’t see immediate progress. I’ve used these opportunities to slow down and re-evaluate.
For example, recovering from my frozen shoulder felt painfully slow, and dealing with my foot injury has been more complicated than I hope for. It’s literally going on 10 months that I have not been able to do a full workout without any modifications for injuries. BUT……. each time I hit a roadblock, I remind myself that healing takes time, and I need to be patient with my body. I tell my clients this all the time. I’m realizing it’s a lot harder in practice!
These setbacks have also helped me see the value of being adaptable. My original plans for this year didn’t account for injuries, unexpected moves, or natural disasters. However, life is unpredictable, and clinging to old plans only adds to the frustration and stress. By learning to let go and adapt—whether that means adjusting my fitness routine, working around my pain, or simply accepting a slower timeline—I’ve been able to stay positive and focus on what’s within my control.
Taking It One Small Step at a Time
One of the most effective ways I’ve stayed positive is by breaking down my goals into small, manageable steps. I didn’t achieve my certification, recover from my shoulder injury, or adjust to life in Florida all at once. Each of these milestones happened one small step at a time.
This mindset has been key in tackling my current challenge: launching my new podcast, Small Daily Habits. With the preparation and unpredictability of the hurricanes, combined with everyone being at home (making it tough to concentrate and record), progress has been slower than I hoped. But rather than getting discouraged, I’ve been focusing on what I can do, even if it’s just a little bit each day. Eventually, all those small steps will add up, and I’ll achieve my goal.
I also came to the realization that the only one putting pressure on myself to do this in a given timeframe is………ME. In the grand scheme of things, no one really cares if I am off by a couple of weeks. Nothing major will happen if I don’t get it done in a certain timeframe so there is no point in stressing over it. I’m doing the work, I’m mastering new skills, and as long as I don’t give up, the finished product will eventually come to be. Is there something in your life that you can relate this to? Are you causing yourself stress over something that no one else really cares about? Is it time to give yourself some grace and let go of the ideal and adapt to your present circumstances?
The Importance of Adapting to Change
Change is inevitable, whether we welcome it or not. This past year has taught me that while I can’t control everything that happens to me, I am in total control of how I respond. Being adaptable means accepting that the path to your goals may not always be straight, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get there.
Yes, I’ve faced setbacks this year—big ones. I’m not where I hoped I’d be by October, but that’s okay. I’m happy, healthy (minus the foot injury), and consistently moving forward. And that’s all that really matters. Progress over perfection. Repeat it with me!
In the end, staying positive isn’t about pretending everything is perfect. It’s about trusting that, with the right mindset and small daily habits, you can navigate any storm that comes your way.
Do you find yourself in a slow season of life? Could you benefit and learn from my experience? If so, schedule a free call with me to see how I can help you overcome whatever circumstances are preventing you from making progress. Email me at [email protected] to start the conversation. In the meantime, check out my Crush Your Goals Checklist or my blog about How To Overcome 6 Common Mental Traps. OH, and stay tuned for my very first podcast episodes coming to you soon!
Wishing you much love, health, and happiness,
Christine
