“She stood in the storm and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails.” –Elizabeth Edwards
I was walking my dog, Romeo, one day and I passed a neighbor who was getting his morning walk in. It was close to 90 degrees, and it wasn’t even 8 am. When I asked him how he was doing, he replied, “Never been better.”
Never been better. Three small words packed with a powerful meaning. How many of you could respond that you’ve never been better? Never been better means you’re not just surviving, you’re thriving. As a stepmom, with all of the outside stressors, thriving takes some effort.
Here are five tips to help you start thriving as a stepmom:
1. Focus on your happiness
You’re in charge of your own happiness. You get to choose what you’re going to focus on and who or what will dominate your thoughts. Start your own happiness project.
2. Protect your energy
If you’re operating from a full cup, you’ll have more energy. You’ll be better able to show up for your family. Take a moment to look at what’s draining your energy and what fills you up.
3. Turn to gratitude
We have so much to be thankful for, but it’s all in the way we look at it. Try this 20-minute gratitude hack.
4. Prioritize your marriage
Without your marriage, you wouldn’t be part of a stepfamily. So it’s important to put your marriage first, as it forms the foundation for your stepfamily.
5. Work on your conflict resolution skills
Let’s face it – conflict is inevitable! So how do you handle conflict when it comes up? Try this 4-step process to de-escalate stepfamily conflict.
These are five tips to get you started. If you want more in-depth support, check out our books. The next time someone asks you how you are, you can be the one confidently stating, “never been better.”