Getting Myself Together

I’ve never been one for big New Year’s resolutions, but back in 2017, I made myself a promise — that this would be the year I finally focused on getting myself together.

Don’t get me wrong, I have a great life. A wonderful husband of 41 years, three beautiful children, six amazing grandchildren, and a dog who thinks I hung the moon (RIP Tucker). But somewhere along the way, I realized that this great life of mine needed me to be at my best… and I wasn’t even close.

I’m not one for big New Year’s resolutions, but I am determined that 2017 will be the year that I focus on getting myself together.  Don’t get me wrong, I have a great life with a wonderful husband (of 32 years), 3 beautiful children, 5 amazing grandchildren and a dog that follows me around like I am the most amazing owner this world has ever produced! But this great life of mine needs me to be at my best and I’m not even close to being there!

How did I get here?

20 years ago (as of today), I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. And 10 years ago now, I finally took my neurologist’s advice and stopped working — one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made.

I didn’t realize how much of my identity had become wrapped up in my job until I stepped away. Like so many women, I wore busy as a badge of honour. I loved my job, loved feeling important, loved that people relied on me. I skipped lunches, worked late, answered emails at all hours, and took pride in my full calendar.

If busyness was success, then I was a rock star!

But slowly — quietly — stealthily – it caught up with me. I began to decline, my energy vanished, and balance became something other people talked about. Evenings were spent on the couch, too exhausted to engage. I remember sitting in a co-worker’s office one December and saying, “There’s no way I can handle another year like this.” Deep down, I knew something was wrong, though I never could have guessed what I was about to hear.

Reclaiming Raegan

After leaving work, I gave myself permission to rest and figure out what “life after busy” looked like. I decided to spend that first year adjusting to the change — and then focus on getting back to what Raegan is all about.

That meant rediscovering the little things:

  • Watching the sunset from our favorite spot on the deck
  • Having water fights with the grandkids
  • Taking beach walks with the dog
  • Camping with Larry and inviting all the grandkids if we feel like it
  • Working on my golf swing
  • Learning new things (like shooting a gun!)
  • Traveling
  • And simply being present — really present — with the people I love most

Over the past 9 years, I’ve realized there are so many facets to my life. I want to celebrate and honour them all, and this space — Cooking in Cowboy Boots — is one way I plan to do just that.

That’s all for now — the beach awaits! 🩵