[Show Up To Grow] Day 24: New Leaves

by Mel Blackwood @troubleon8wheels

When you think about growth what's the first thing that comes to mind?

• getting a bit taller?

• expanding your mind to new possibilities?

• plants?

For me, it's reprogramming my brain. Learning that no matter how busy I think I am, I can decide what to do at any time. I want to create habits that support better health, including eating and stretching. I intend to start tomorrow! (I'll let you know)

Of course, in my head, I have built each of these to be far more complex than they are.

I have already decided that to eat more healthily, so:

• I need to spend time every day cooking

• which means time spent shopping for ingredients

• and the cleaning up afterwards.

It's really easy to put myself off before even starting. I still want to eat well though, maybe I will look into a delivery box until I can balance my life better. I feel like I just need a kickstart.

How long will it take for a new habit to become habitual? It depends on what triggers that habit. If I can create a feeling of joy when I'm cooking, I will no longer view it as a chore and start looking forward to it instead. I actually do really love to cook, I've just fallen out of the necessity to cook.

Being intentional with things I say. I am already working on this - only saying out loud things that I believe I have the scope to do, both personally and with RGG. I would sooner exceed expectations than disappoint folks. Recently, it's been challenging due to being reliant on others. I need to trust other people that things will get done. It hasn't always happened, so I am trying to continue to be open. It would be so easy to retreat from the world, with "I can only trust myself / if you want something doing, do it yourself" mentality.

I love having conversations like these. They tend to happen without warning. It's a simple connection with someone, often roller skating, and we chat and skate. Lately, I've had some great conversations about life's purpose, parenting, racism and boundaries at Manningham sports hall on Thursday and Friday mornings. The ladies who attend skate class as part of the Roll Forward Project, funded by Sport England, are mothers, grandmothers, aunties and friends. The amount of wisdom between them is great and their demeanour to roller skating is one of determined joy. I love that they are so willing to try roller skating for the first time with us!

What makes you grow?