The following is an excerpt from Liz’s Memoir published in 2020, called Just Be: My Healing Journey to Embrace the Mess.
In a moment of contemplation back in 2018, Liz sat down and wrote out answers to two questions:
What I don’t want? and What is non-negotiable?
Sometimes starting with the hard line of things you certainly don’t want in your life opens space for imagining what you do. And through this act, you come one step closer to your authentic self.
Authentic Self – Liz Kametz
What I don’t want:
o Mindless meetings that have no meaning and still take time and energy for no purpose.
o Crammed schedule where I’m just going from one thing to the next without even getting time to eat, bathroom, walk, breathe…
o Rushing from work to home without a break in between to reground for the next section of the day.
o Being caught in the ‘glory’ of being involved in what seemingly is ‘more important’: work. And losing sight of my priorities.
o I know my priorities are for me to find what fuels me—what gives me the energy to sustain the mundane and sometimes very difficult home-life that I want to be present for.
o Once I have an approach, how do I test that I’m prepared and can handle the real life I have to go back to?
o To focus solely on deadlines—because subconsciously it’s driving me into the ground—dead.
What is non-negotiable:
o Being heard: supporting ways for people to truly be heard without being cut off.
o Diversity and inclusion.
o Mindful projects. To act.
o Knowing transitions are hard. Solicit the kids to help solve the problem.
o I want to spend time and teach the kids.
o Self-care. Self-advocacy: I need to feel in the relationship, in parenting, at work, as a daughter, as a friend, sister.
o As an empath, ensuring I balance and recognize my emotions compared to others’, and being open the self-care path needed to sustain me.
o Self-discovery.
o Time to read, research, write. Then test, learn, and adjust.
o Try something new each day. Could be the smallest thing.
o Water is my element source of energy, use it!
o Time to be in nature.
o Time to laugh together.
o Time to be in silence.
o Time to help others.
o Time to be analytical around human problems.
o Time to be creative.
o Time to watch children grow in their passions (e.g., sports, art, computers, outdoors, friendships, cooking)
Let this exercise flow. If you are curious to read more excerpts like this one, see Just Be: My Healing Journey to Embrace the Mess available on Amazon.
