‘DELETE’ WHAT DOESN’T MAKE YOU HAPPY, FIND NEW BEGINNINGS
Recently, I ran into a friend that I had not seen in ages and she got me thinking about a past blog post and new beginnings.
She stopped me and said, “I read your stories. ‘Delete’ was a favorite story because it gave me the determination and momentum to make changes in my personal life. I am much happier and feel uplifted. Your story gave me the nudge I needed to rethink my feelings about my personal lifestyle regarding my relationship with women and organizations.”
I nodded in agreement because, darlings, I owe my own social facelift, in part, to a close girlfriend. This close girlfriend is a very formidable woman. She has degrees in law and psychology, she is a successful businesswoman, a superb cook, she’s married to a great guy, she does yoga, and she is a fun-loving girlfriend.
Learning to ‘delete’ for new beginnings
One day, I received a text from this incredible girlfriend that read simply, “Call me.”
Of course, I called her immediately.
In her fast-clipped manner, she said to me, “I added the word DELETE to my vocabulary. Been there, done that with women who play the one up you game, are self-absorbed and boring! I am ‘deleting’ them from my life! And that goes for some of my organizational work! I feel better already. I am finished kidding myself.”
There was no malice in her voice. She sounded as though she was just making a sound business deal to please herself. And, she sounded very uplifted!
We talked for a few minutes and hung up.
I was in my car, so I had plenty of time to think as I drove home. And my first thought, “That was a very strong statement!” My girlfriend had my attention. She made me think.
And, because I am a writer I visualized the delete key on my keyboard the moment she uttered the word delete! And then… I thought about how simple it is to hit my delete key and watch a word or sentence vanish forever.
The problem with my visualization is that people and organizations are not just words!
‘Delete’ may be positive but…
My take away: The word ‘delete’ can have positive effects on our lives. But I’ve decided to use the word ‘refresh’ instead!
Darlings, maybe it is time to take a moment to rethink your relationships with some of the women in your life and open yourself to inviting some new and refreshing women into your social sphere. If you are seeking new beginnings in your social circle, recently, I wrote about using friendship to reinvent yourself after 5o.
By this time in your life, I’m sure you have an opinion on what makes a great friendship, and who you want to spend your time with. If you have toxic friendships, it may be time for a friendship refresh. Here is some sage advice on handling those difficult friendships.
Hit ‘delete’ on organizations, too!
Maybe it is time to refresh the organizations you have supported for years that you have wanted to delete, not because they are unworthy, but because you have been introduced to ones that seem more fulfilling at this passage in your life. This can be a business that you no longer align with, a hobby, or even a charitable or religious organization. Finding new beginnings in the organizations you support can be exhilarating!
Time for a ‘refresh’ to find growth
Lastly, and most importantly, maybe it is time to take a look in the mirror and compare yourself to the woman you were five years ago, or even a year ago, versus the woman you are today. You can choose to ‘refresh’ your behaviors, thoughts, and mindset to match the woman you have become (and want to become) and ‘delete’ old ideas and insecurities that hold you back from reinventing yourself as a woman over 50.
‘Delete’ to move forward into new beginnings
In other words, dear reader, don’t stay stuck in relationships or organizations that do not feed your soul.
When you rid yourself of unnecessary baggage, you will become a refreshed woman and can find new beginnings. I know, because after I listened to my girlfriend and took action, I felt a weight of unnecessary baggage lifted from my shoulders. Taking the initiative to pare down my relationships and organizational commitments freed me to explore other options. New adventures and new beginnings!
Here is my upbeat analogy.
This is the season we all set goals to be organized, to improve ourselves, to change our lives…in with the old and out with new! I think it is the perfect time to consider refreshing some of your female relationships and some organizations.
If you no longer feel joy and fulfillment in a relationship, dear darlings, refresh.
You can read more about the rich tapestry of relationships over 50 in this story.
Keep what brings you joy
Speaking of new beginnings, now, I have to do a ‘refresh’ of my closet! Because, what served my wardrobe last year may no longer serve me this year. And that’s okay. When one door closes another one opens. And sometimes relationships end so that new ones can form. And that, my darlings, is quite simply refreshing.
Have you refreshed and swept clean any of your past unfulfilling relationships? I’d love to hear your stories! Do tell, darlings! Comment below, LET’S TALK!
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Originally published at https://www.honeygood.com on January 9, 2024.
