It has also strengthened others but that’s not this post’s point.
👵 X Person: “So, how’s your, oh I don’t know how to describe it – you know, your Instagram STuff”
(Emphasis on the ST, married perfectly with a look of dismissal and a single shoulder shrug as her hand swiped away the question.)
It was clear that the question was what she felt she had to ask but she did it in a way that was clearly utterly dismissive.
Old me would have been caught off guard, defensive, and potentially responded with venom.
I would have curled up with embarrassment.
Retreated into myself and provided an equally dismissive answer.
I would not have been conscious of some of the subtle visual cues and I would have responded in an unconscious way.
Journaling: Trust the process
But I have been working in my trusty journal Evo
The combination of learning behaviour analysis and journaling equipped me with the emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and confidence to provide the following response:
🙍♀️ “My journals and notebooks you mean – it’s going well in that I am having a lot of fun and meeting so many new friends. It’s hard work for sure and yeah I would love more sales but the opportunities I have had are amazing. For example, I have done a few podcasts, I have even done live streams and even live streams on my own – out for the world to see and hear. I am working with some super amazing women running their own businesses, I get a lot of inspiration. And there are some cool opportunities in the pipeline. So yeah – I am having a ball”
The response – silence.
NOT ONE SINGLE WORD left her lips.
No further conversation about this topic.
No questions.
No excitement in response to my excitement and enthusiasm.
Keep journaling and hang in there.
This doesn’t make me very happy but I do accept that I can not change this, I can only change the way that I react. I work through this in my journals.
It has fundamentally changed the relationship – which is a shame.
When you make changes in your life, when you gather new knowledge, when you grow it can alienate people around you.
Including close family.
It can change your relationship with them.
Some so many awesome people will be your cheerleader. Perfect strangers will celebrate your wins, no matter how small you think they are.
I am blessed to have quite a few – you know who you are 😉 💜
The release of my new book – Cosmical not a journal but a journaling guide – has shown some amazing support for which, I am forever grateful.