Why “Taking Stock” Of Your Past Can Help You Get Unstuck And Achieve What You Really Want In Life
Written by: Suzy Bessett, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Definition of take stock; "to carefully think about something to make a decision about what to do next" — Merriam-Webster.
A sunrise. A Monday. Rabbit, Rabbit for a new month. We can all relate to the resolutions made in the new year. But why not “take stock” daily? Start fresh when we feel stuck, frozen, panicked or not our best self.
When my clients conclude their sessions with me, I fondly tell them they have graduated. Is their work done? Not quite. We are all a work in progress. But we have mutually decided that they have the tools in their toolbox to move forward. They have reframed their relationship with food, their bodies and have learned there is no good or bad food; only bad portions and a negative mindset. It’s always bittersweet. I’m not saying goodbye. I often have check-ins with past clients, but I get to know them quite personally. Eating, food, and the struggles that come along with it are very personal. It’s generational, so I learn a lot about their childhoods and especially adolescent years when that balance can get turned upside down.
Recently, a client graduated. She’s just 40, married with two young children, and has a big career. She is smart and driven, but like many others, she struggled with disordered eating and body image. While there are common threads in all of my clients, sometimes I see myself in one or two. That is the case with this client and I decided to share a personal story with her at the end of our work together.
We talked about “taking stock”. A term from many years ago that still resonates with me today. We had been discussing anxiety and workarounds.
While I am generally adventurous, I’m also a chronic worrier that tends to undermine my success at times. As I have aged, it has increased. Of course, as a mom, I worry about my children's health, safety, and well-being. I worry about my family, friends, and my own health. I would say it’s a healthy and pretty average state of worry. Where am I off the deep end? The future. In two years, as a single mom, I will be an empty nester. When I left my career 21 years ago to start a family, I never thought that, seemingly, in the blink of an eye, they would be grown. I remember sleepless nights, playdates, room mom responsibilities, and endless laughs. My kids were and always will be the absolute best decision and gift in my life.
In just two years, they will both be in college and I will be back out there (in my mind) trying to figure out what’s next. While I’m scared at times, I have chosen to look back to look forward; my version of “taking stock”.
On August 31st, 2021, I rose early, made my coffee, and sat with my journal/organizer. I went back 2 years to August of 2019 on my phone calendar and went through every single day for two years. I amazed myself!
The list of all that I had tried and accomplished, was eye-opening. The list ranges from business-related successes and failures, starting a band, learning to row, selling my home of 20 years, unloading ⅔ of my possessions, and multiple moves until finally landing in a gorgeous apartment. I took control of my finances, had my teeth fixed, and even tried my hand at acting. Even in the face of Covid in 2020, stuff got done. Had I not reflected, I would be stuck in the fear of the future.
The takeaway? Get unstuck by the review and then move forward. While constantly looking in the metaphorical rearview mirror will cause a crash, I believe taking stock is a way to remind yourself of where you have been and that you can and must keep moving forward.
Maybe the list for you will be difficult to review if you have had very troubling times; the loss of a loved one, job loss or health issues. I would argue that taking stock is even more important. Sometimes reflecting on the day that you got up, beaten, and battered when you wanted to stay in bed all day is a HUGE accomplishment. Honor that. Remind yourself of the tenacity it took to be here today. Only YOU know the struggle and work you have put into your life. You are here, breathing, alive. Every single day is a gift and you can and will move forward.
Take stock of the past and get on with living.
Love and Peace.
Suzy Bessett, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Suzy Bessett, Certified Eating Psychology Coach and founder of The Metabolic Connection. We offer a unique and complete approach to disordered eating and metabolic issues. Suzy has a proven track record helping emotional, disordered eaters get off the diet roller coaster and get on with living. Combining her work with the client's endocrinologist is the winning combination.
