For All Who are Going Through Change

Hello, all. This is the second day of Journeys Through Life, and to kick us off in this new year full of change and challenges, I wanted to dedicate a post specifically to all of those who are dealing with transitions in their lives. 

To the many students I know who have gone or will soon be going back to school: I want you to know that I think you're extraordinary. 

School is challenging: there's so much to think about, to do, to remember...and so many new decisions to make all the time. How about that time during the semester when you're barely halfway through, but it's already time to choose classes? You're trying to keep your head above water, and someone pours a whole new bucket over your head. Or, how about when all you want to do is spend time with your friends or collapse on the couch and watch Netflix, but you have that exam to study for? I hear you, but you can do it. I know you can. 

Remember to pace yourself, and to give yourself times for rest. Most of all, remember to congratulate yourself along the way. Feel proud of all of your accomplishments. I wish you all the best in the coming year. (Keep those mandala coloring pages and relaxing music nearby!)

To people who have finished one stage of life and are heading into another: take courage. It's hard to look for a new job while dealing with our day-to-day worries. When self-doubt starts to sneak in, it's even harder to keep our heads up. Try to keep an open mind as you scroll through those never ending job sites. When you need to, take a break and make yourself some coffee or tea (or hot chocolate. That's always a good remedy). 

If you're someone who's looking for new friends and a new community, I want you to know that I know it hurts. It hurts because we feel sad and guilty about leaving our old community behind. Give yourself time to grieve. 

Though life is full of changes, that doesn't make them easier to go through as time goes by. It's not like we suddenly know how to handle change much better, or that we somehow see it coming. It's still going to hit us out of the blue sometimes. It's important to remember that we're allowed to grieve, to worry, and even to feel like the roof is caving in on us. It's also important to remember that we're not weak just because we react to something in a certain way that others label as weak. Your feelings are legitimate. 

I wish you all the best in the coming year.



 

Journeys Through Life: Welcome!

My hope for this blog is that it can give voice to the many journeys we take through life. This can mean any type of journey. It could be physical, mental, religious, or anything else--it's about what you define as a journey.

I recently graduated from college and have found myself in a whirlwind of transitions and new paths and questions. What journey should I take next? What does it mean to be in this world? I want to make a difference for people and other living creatures, but I am still asking myself what my next step should be.

At the same time, I am searching for a new church. Searching for a new church is a challenge. I want it to fit all of the pieces of me and what I believe in. This includes advocating for human rights for ALL people and a respect for the living creatures with whom we share the earth.

All of the changes has left me scrambling for some connection to others. As someone who deals with mental illness on a daily basis, it is difficult to keep in mind that life, as confusing and unpredictable as it can be, is also full of promise. This is what I want to remind everyone who visits this blog. Through my posts, yours, and those of guest bloggers, I want to build connections between people so that we can share our stories, offer advice, and simply listen.