One word can cause a lot of stress…change. For some people, change means moving out of your comfort zone, heading towards uncharted waters of life. It can bring about stress, uncomfortable feelings and uneasiness. Change is not always big. Sometimes it’s small and you barely notice that there is the movement that’s happening. It takes you from one point to another. This is the type of change that when you look back realize that it happened but it didn’t cause those feeling of uneasiness. That’s the kind of change I like to celebrate. It’s the small changes that add up to become big changes.
I found this on my Timehop this week. 
It was from six years ago when I had just started training for my first half marathon. I had only been back into running for 6 months and I was just finding my legs again. We were doing one of our first track workouts and it brought back to so many memories of my track days in junior high school. The part that I notice the most from my Timehop is the excitement I felt of hitting a timed mile under 9 minutes. What jumps out to me too is that with the day to day running, I’ve lost sight of the changes that have happened since my first training session. It’s not about the fact that I now can run faster and in some races, I’ve hit under 8 minute mile paces, it’s about the movement from where I started to where I am now. It’s about the change that has happened, not the numbers.
When I started running, I had just come off of a bad place. I was not happy with where I was. I had to do something big. I quit smoking in 2008, decided that I need to take control of my life and not just sit by and live it passively. I could only move forward, move past the past, and try to do small things to lead me to a big change. And that’s what I did. I started running. It gave me the small thing that would lead me to big changes.
Now 6 years later, here I am. I see what has happened; I lived it. I have been along through the process but didn’t stop until now to see the big change. The big change is that I’m healthier, happier, secure in myself and who I am and will continue to become. I’ve learned through trial and error to trust myself and my instincts. I’ve become more reflective, more selective, and more intuitive. Some of that has come with age, of course, but some of it has come from finding me. Running has given me the outlet to find me.
My goal now is to look for those small changes and see how they are helping to move me toward bigger changes. I need to continue to find ways to build towards them. It’s when we look at those small changes that help to lead us in the direction of bigger changes. I’m excited of the prospect of what is to come!
What are some small changes that have led you to bigger changes?
One Word Prompt is hosted by Lisa of The Golden Spoons, Janine of Confessions of a Mommyholic, and Marcia of Blogitudes. Head over to these ladies and see what other bloggers’ are posting!
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I love how you not only reflected on this big change, but also the smaller changes that got you to where you are with running and more today. I couldn’t agree with you more though about the small changes being so integral to the larger ones, as well. Great job by the way and definitely should be very proud of yourself on this one 😉
Thank you!! It was great to reflect on where I started and how far I’ve come and where I’m going next. Work in progress! 🙂
Yes!!! This is so true for me and fitness, work, marriage, and motherhood!!!
Yes!! All of that!! I would agree too!
Love this. A lot of times I get a Timehop notification and see what used to give me a sense of pride and accomplishment and it often gives me a reality check!
That’s exactly what that did. I always feel like I’ve not gotten any faster but that was proof that I have. lol then I started thinking about all the other small changes that I’ve forgotten about too.
FIRST OFF – even though I’m a few years late – congrats on quitting smoking! Second, I can really relate to ” I need to take control of my life and not just sit by and live it passively.” I was letting a chronic condition of mine let me live life passively until one day I snapped out of it… running is an awesome outlet, so I’m happy you found something for yourself, and as you said, it’s hard to notice the small changes unless we reflect daily or weekly 🙂
Yes!! I just realized that I wasn’t do any living. It was a low point only to push me to want to do something better. Running has given me so much more than just fitness.
Change is constantly happening and sometimes you really just have to take a few minutes to reflect to see how far you have really come. Even in the past 6 months I have changed dramatically. Not all due to running, but just life in general! Also, I love Timehop… sometimes I cringe and sometimes I smile haha 🙂
Yes!! It’s true. It wasn’t until I saw that Timehop that it dawned on me how much I’ve changed since then. I’m with you. Sometimes I never know what I might find. lol
Recently, I tried backing off on my oldest son and giving him a little more space…he’s been much more talkative lately. It was such a small thing (well, to me, it was hard since I’m still working on regaining trust in him) but it made a big difference in our relationship.
That is great news!! Something about doing something small helped a lot. I’m happy for you!
I like the idea of small steps towards healthy living like sometimes choosing fruits for dessert. Running gives me an extra incentive to eat healthy. I need to be healthy in order to get all of my miles in!
Right!! And I find I make better choices with my food when I think that way too!
Small changes are so important and, often, can go unnoticed. It’s always such a good moment when you can reflect on all of the small moments that got you to where you are!
You are so right!! It makes the journey that much better to celebrate small changes along the way.
Small changes are definitely important. They can be part of bigger change or lead to bigger things themselves! Love those Time Hop posts!
I do too!! I wouldn’t have thought how far I’ve come otherwise.
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This is truly inspiring, especially at a time when I’m beginning to take baby steps towards rediscovering parts of me that have been lost since having my first child 14 years ago. This post also made me flash back to 18 years ago when my husband and I were sitting in fastfood restaurant, and my husband, back then overweight and not feeling good about it, decided to take the top bun off his burger for less carbs. Well, that small change eventually led to a 40 lb weight loss and 26 marathons.
Wow!! That is one small change that made a big impact later. Amazing!! You can do it. One small step or change at a time!
A fabulous post! Way to go you. I am definitely trying to make those small changes, but I for sure have a ways to go. Who knows what six years can bring. Keep up the amazing work and have a great week!