This is by far the longest I've gone without writing. Where did a month and a half go?
Generally, I do my best to put myself out there and share even some of my most vulnerable moments, but the last month and a half I felt as though I was being rolled in a giant wave and couldn't figure out which was was up.
Honestly, it's entirely embarrassing. I left my job, my family and friends and Pennsylvania with the goal of finding my passion- that thing that makes me excited to wake up and go do it everyday (or at least not make me wonder if maybe I sold my soul to pay my rent).
I spent an intensely life changing year in Estes Park, CO (which I seem to have left with impeccable timing as it's a giant flood zone currently) working at a residential high school with incredible teenagers who all had amazing resilience and strength; they taught me more about myself than I would've ever anticipated.
After a year of being constantly immersed in activity/work and surrounded by people, my fellowship ended and I returned back to Pennsylvania to be with my friends, family, and largely- the man I love.
Initially, it was relief to finally be with my boyfriend, and especially to have the constant stress and frequent sensation that I was failing in being (good) enough alleviated. But as the weeks rolled on, I became increasingly more frustrated not knowing what my next steps were career/work/job wise.
I realized that I hadn't found my passion. Not even close.
"Who wants to read about my confused anxious floundering??" I'd ask when questioned about the lack of writing, but then one of my friends said, "Probably a lot of people. You're not the only one who struggles through times like these."
Oh. Right.
So, here it is. Even as I'm writing this, I hesitate and wonder if I should delete it all, but who knows- maybe someone out there doesn't need a 'how-to' or some profound revelation/inspiration, maybe they just want to know they aren't the only one wondering what the fuck to do next.
I realize that it may sound as though I regret returning; however, that couldn't be further from the truth. On the flip side of my angsty wandering/wondering is a revolutionary love that is, baby step by baby step, teaching me to let go and have a little trust in life.
I've never been good at waiting. Patience is not one of my (strongest) virtues. From what I can remember, this is the first time in my life I've felt this clueless and still, but that said, I've also never been very good at resting and allowing myself time to process and heal.
I'm currently in a position where I have the luxury of taking my time to figure out what it is I want so I don't end up in the same place I was in before I moved away (miserable and depressed), while stepping aside to finally attend to some old wounds.
At this point, I have no clear ideas of where I'm heading... but then again, maybe we don't always need to be heading somewhere. Maybe sometimes we need to learn to be still once in awhile so we're not always missing our lives while looking for the next big thing.
Maybe this moment IS the big thing.
And when I stop stressing out about my future for a hot second, I realize just how good my life is .right.now.
" maybe they just want to know they
ReplyDeletearen't the only one wondering what the fuck to
do next.". Thank you. I found your blog tonight and am already a fan. Time to stop stressing about my future!
Thanks for stopping by. "Time to stop stressing about my future!" ...I'm working on it. :)
DeleteI live day to day and try to 'live' every moment, cause I've discovered that's what life is about. Still seeking my passion after 50 years, don't stress about the 'tomorrows' and have been smiling more in the last 3 months than in my entire 50 years, weird eh!
ReplyDeleteLoved what you wrote, how you wrote it and thank you for not deleting!
I love hearing from those with more years of experience. I put so much pressure on myself thinking I "should" have been more successful/had something more to show for myself by now, but the reality is, most of us don't have it all figured out. Life is a series of trial and error, decisions and consequence... "don't stress about tomorrows" something I'm learning very slowly. :)
DeleteReading your posts, and especially this one has been so therapeutic for me. I feel like I'm talking to myself or reading about myself and for as difficult as times have been lately, it is really the only thing keeping me afloat. I left my current life a year ago and moved to AZ with hopes of "finding myself." In some ways I have, in may ways I'm more lost than I've ever been. I came upon the current job I have now, working with adolescent youth at a residential treatment center. They struggle with anxiety, disorders, suicide, and some already have a criminal record. I would be happy with my job, if only I was happy with myself. But honestly, I know this isn't what I am meant to do. I've lived everywhere and been a jack of all trades for a VERY long time. It's been a lonely yet invigorating journey. At this point in my life I don't know where I belong. I have lived a very painful life in my short years and sometimes wonder how many years of life I have lost from stress alone. Two days ago I was completely paralyzed by my anxiety and was stuck in a hopeless and empty trance. Thank You for your bold honesty. You will never know whose life you are preserving just by letting them know, "Hey, you're not alone."
ReplyDeleteHi Chelsie- sounds like we've got A LOT in common. I'd love to talk with you more if you're interested. Remember to look up and breathe deep once in awhile. Sometimes we get so focused on the details we forget how big life is... You're never stuck. Lots of love and light coming your way. <3
DeleteOh my goodness just reading your words it was as if I wrote them myself. I too have taken time off this year and not worked in an effort to heal from bereavement and a difficult work situation. I have wanted to find my passion and feel frustrated that no blinding inspiration has arrived and with my funds being massively depleted I know that I am going to need to go back to work into the corporate field that I was in as a temporary stop gap to do a job that essentially ends up depleting me more than it benefits me. I have posted this as anonymous but if you would like to be in touch, I will happily send you a FB message. x
ReplyDeleteHey there- would love to hear from you and learn more of your story. :)
DeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts! I'm going through the same thing and it makes perfect sense to me what you mean by "stay still". It feels like you are writing about my own life and feelings! Long ago I realized that we are never alone in our struggles. In the past 4 years I've been running from my life, using traveling as a mean of scape. Now I'm finally back home with plans to stay this time! I lost a chance to live abroad for good and a boyfriend, but I won my family and friends back, and also a chance to live an adventurous life in my own country.
ReplyDeleteI love the quote, "Not all dreams come true, but that's ok because you can always make new dreams." I sometimes still struggle with letting go of what I expected my life to be, but when I stop freaking out and look around, life is good. Good family and friends are priceless- love them with everything you have. :)
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