You’ve seen it–the 10 year challenge going around Facebook and Instagram. You post a picture of you in 2009, and one from 2019. You reflect on where you were and where you are now.

 

Reviewing your past can be a good thing. Reflecting on the lessons you’ve learned helps show you how far you’ve come. It can help you realize that you’ve gotten through things before, so you can do it again.

 

 

 

 

This is me then and now. But let me tell you more about the differences between these two pictures.

 

2009

I was in an emotionally abusive relationship. I was unhappy and co-dependent and expected everyone around me to make me happy. I rarely saw my family because the boyfriend didn’t really like anyone in my family. I gave up important friendships because of him and isolated myself so that I could be the person I thought he needed me to be.

 

I ate horribly and didn’t exercise regularly, yet wondered why I wasn’t getting the body I wanted. I was self conscious and constantly felt like I was being judged for my body or how I looked. I hated my skin, my hair, my teeth. You name it, I hated it or felt like it needed to change in some way. I only posted pictures that I thought my poses were perfect so that none of my flaws could be seen.

 

I was going to massage school. My business, Under Pressure Therapeutics, wasn’t even conceptualized yet. I was content to go through life, allowing things to happen around me. I was planning on having massage be a supplement to my day job and use it to help put me through design school.

 

Over the Years

Since the first picture was taken, I have:

  • Gone on a spiritual retreat that changed my life.
  • Gotten out of the abusive relationship.
  • Moved to Fort Collins.
  • Started a business.
  • Grown a business by hiring employees.
  • Opened a Health Center.
  • Got married to a wonderful partner.
  • Rekindled important friendships.
  • Learned how to set and keep healthy boundaries.
  • Bought a house.
  • Expanded my Center. Twice. In 6 months.

There’s so much more I can say, but we’ll leave it there.

 

2019

I have a booming business. Not only do I have my massage clinic, but I have a whole center geared toward healthy living. And I have a unique thing to offer: a salt cave. I never thought I would know this much about salt, but I do!

 

I moved out of massaging full time, not because I don’t love it, but because I have found another calling: Coaching. Over the past decade, I have realized that what I have loved the most about massage is connecting with clients. Helping them in more ways than massage. Believe you me, I have absolutely talked too much during a massage and driven clients into the hands of other massage therapists! And I’m okay with that because my team is amazing!

 

I’m in a happy marriage. We have our trials, don’t get me wrong, but we communicate and respect each other. We work through our issues and we do what we can to help each other. He is my biggest supporter, and the amazing man who designed and built the Salt Cave.

 

I am always learning and reading and growing–for my business, my spirituality, my mental health, any way I can. I love learning and growing and I want to have as many tools as I can so I can be the best version of myself.

 

For the Future

I know where I’ve been and I know where I am headed. I can look back at all of the things I’ve accomplished and know that I can handle whatever life throws at me. I know in 2020, I will be stepping into more of a public speaker role, with speaking at Fort Collins Startup Week in February, and I will be looking for more opportunities to grow and expand.

 

If you haven’t done this challenge online, I encourage you to do it for yourself. It’s important to see how far you’ve come. Rejoice in your resiliency! Give yourself the credit you deserve! Recognize what you really want in life, because that has changed in the past 10 years, I’m sure. It certainly has for me, and I’m so happy I’m embracing that.