Vacations were meant to be Taken

We are now three days into March, MARCH. 2016 is 1/4 of the way through/done/full speed ahead.

How many of my 10 vacation days have I taken?  Zip. None. Zero.

I will be the first to admit I am a self induced workaholic. I let flowcharts take over my life and emotions [and social life] on a daily basis. I get way too worked up no pun intended over emails and conference calls. The last "vacation" I took was last July for a wedding [got wild and used 1.5 days of PTO] and didn't even make it 48 hours before I broke down and checked email in-between pictures. I like to say I got it from my dad, write it off, joke that work is my boyfriend. 

When I made the career decision to move to Knoxville for the job opportunity I had so many plans on, my mom asked me "what is going to change?"

This has since become my life mantra. Everyday I look at every decision and opportunity as a chance to change. I now cook dinner every night, I now clean the house every Sunday [bath tub and all], I actually KEEP up with my budget sheet and stick to it. I no longer work late, microwave dinner, and lay on the couch until bed. I haven't been home straight from work all week. Whether it's five innings of a Tennessee baseball game with hot chocolate or helping a friend pack up her kitchen, I make the conscious effort to have that social life and separate myself from work mentally.

And you know what? It's working.

I am mentally happier and physically look happier. 

My face is clear. I'm in the best shape of my life and probably the healthiest. I don't obsess over my weight anymore. 

Four months in and I plan to never stop asking myself "What is going to change?"