Fall Push Week 4 – Super Modern Ultra Graphic Girl energy is simmering

It doesn’t matter, though
He doesn’t have what it takes to be with a girl like me

Not overdramatic, I know what I want
We’re leaving the planet, and you can’t come – Chappell Roan

So this song Super Modern Ultra Graphic Girl by Chappell Roan came on Spotify from the Love Island USA playlist, and I thought, “OKAAAAYYYY! We love a nice little theme song to walk the catwalk to.” I looked at the lyrics, and I am not sure what this song is really even about, but I like that part, and I like feeling like I am walking on the catwalk, so it stays.

FEELING ENERGIZED

I have a goal of feeling energized in my body, and that means reigniting my spark. The last five years have been so blah. In some ways, it feels like I’ve been in another world for the last five years (I think I was), and now I am coming back to reality. Someone online mentioned “disco stick” in reference to trashing Taylor Swift’s new album, and I suddenly remembered how obsessed I was with Lady Gaga’s song Love Game. I haven’t heard that in YEARS, and now I can’t stop playing it. I used to play that song OUT in my cycle classes.

I completed my own four-week program, incorporating Intermittent Fasting, Tracking, and Daily Weigh-ins to take the power away from the scale. While I do not want to make this challenge about weight, I will acknowledge that the scale has gone down, but I want to focus more on the habits rather than the results. I am going to follow the suggested nutrition plan (loosely), continue tracking, and I’m bringing the weigh-ins down to twice per week to get an average.

Next week, the Nicole Wilkins Level Up Challenge begins. I am in the right mindset to take this on. I do get a little apprehensive about meal plans and everything because I don’t want to get obsessed with food and dieting. I am just taking it as a loose suggestion, and also trying out new recipes and such. I do love that there is no long, exhausting cardio on the program, and Nicole even said they didn’t include it as part of the program because that’s the first thing people drop when they don’t have enough time.

I am bringing back twenty-minute outside Peloton walks a few times a week. I enjoy the music and the coaching. I also think being outside helps with depressive symptoms. I do plan to keep intervals twice per week.

Reconnecting and what’s missing

I blog because I enjoy it, and although people occasionally comment on what I write, I am not doing it for likes and views. I am doing it because I enjoy it and it helps me to become a better writer. I hope to write as part of my next career.

Last week I talked with one of my old friends, whom I met through the fitness industry. I enjoy her monthly e-mail musings, and I wrote back after one of her messages, and she suggested we get together to chat. I was glad that we did because our conversation was validating and uplifting.

We both agreed that something has shifted in the industry. A big part of it is the lack of community among trainers. I met this friend through one of the networking/coaching groups I joined, and we attended the same conferences and seminars together. We both commented that something is missing from the fitness industry. My sneaking suspicion is that some of the better trainers and fitness professionals have left the industry, and we are beginning to feel that void.

My conversation with my friend emphasized what I am missing. I miss having peers and connections from whom I can learn, as well as people to hang out with. When I say I miss peers, I don’t just mean co-workers; I mean I miss meeting people on the way to work, at work, after work, and at seminars. This week, I am planning to reach out to several people because I want to hear from them and also because I need some inspiration. I miss interacting with and working alongside people who possess charisma and presence. This isn’t just limited to work, and I see all that changing in the coming year.

I can’t speak for my friend, but I will say that for me, I am over personal training. I am ready to move on to something more intellectually stimulating that also provides an opportunity for financial stability.

I am severely uninspired with training. I used to attend conferences and seminars regularly, but I haven’t been to one since the COVID pandemic. I don’t have much interest in attending any others. Part of the issue is that I am tired of doing the same thing every day; I am tired of the same, blah environment, and knowing that three years from now, every day will still be the same. I can’t stand the thought of it, which is why I said I need a hard stop, because I do not want to spend another year in this exact situation. Unfortunately, we are in the worst job market since 2008, so it may take longer to find a job than anticipated.

I am aware that I need a change, and I am open to new beginnings, whatever they may be.

Stay Focused on the Exit Strategy.

I subscribe to the James Clear newsletter, and I loved the question for this week.

What are you doing today that will benefit you in a decade?

I worked out – This will help me avoid metabolic problems and also keep me strong into my 50s

I worked on my answers for job interviews. In a decade, I want to be working at a job with financial upside and growth potential. Now I have to do the hard part of switching completely out of training. I don’t want to spend another year in the same situation, so now it is all about practicing interview skills so that when I get called, I’ll be ready.

I applied to more jobs this week, and I also made a specific outreach to someone who has completed a pivot that I would like to make.

Copyediting Class begins! I stated my Expectations and Goals for the class

Expectations for the class

Learn more about the copyediting world because there are possibilities and opportunities that I may not have considered.
Practice is encouraged for class participants. I was unsure of signing up for the first Copyediting course because I didn’t know enough of the rules to be effective as an editor. Through these classes, I have learned that the only way to get better is to continue practicing.

Interests and Personal Goals

Make better choices when I edit a piece
Gain confidence in my editing skills
Expand my knowledge and skills, as I am currently undergoing a career transition.
In Copyediting I, I liked the querying process and leaving comments for the author, so I want to learn how to do that more effectively.
I also want to sharpen my skills so that whatever content I edit is clear to the reader.

Expert in written communication

I aim to become an expert in written communication. Even in the coming AI era, it is essential to communicate clearly through written channels and maintain a human voice to connect with the audience.
I am drawn to storytelling with data, and I have a particular interest in government communications, so I was really interested in the Plain Language presentation!

Sometimes everything feels so hopeless, as if I will remain stuck forever. I know that if I continue taking these small steps forward, they will eventually add up to significant progress.