Adjusting to Shifts
It's interesting to think about the word settled because right when we start to feel settled, it seems that life always surprises us or the season we are living in takes a turn that requires some adjustment. To illustrate, after my accident, I moved out of my parent's house into an apartment with my best friend. It was located in such a cute area of Dallas, and I must be honest, it was the most adorable place. It was extra cozy, and Anna's mom is an interior designer, so she gave our home the perfect touch. Anna and I live at such a similar pace, where cooking healthy meals together and watching Friends in the evenings at home was our version of heaven.
After two years of the most lovely living experience, I got engaged, moved to Los Angeles, and got married within an eight month time span. Life went from positive to positive attached to a lot of new with so many emotions swirling about; I was grieving the loss of living near my family, living with my best friend, being in a city that was my comfort, leaving behind my daily routine and a church that I loved. BUT I was so excited to marry Jason and start a life together in beautiful sunny California.
This shift has been such an incredible blessing but simultaneously one of the hardest adjustments of my life. I entered into a city where people didn't know the details of my stories and my heart. I battled and still battle loneliness and had to have grace and patience with myself to feel acquainted to a new bustling city (much needed even after four years). Self compassion is sometimes the hardest of them all, no?
The lifestyle here is much different than Texas and getting familiarized with it + re-learning how to make new friends takes more intention than the ordinary. Not to mention, I faced learning how to communicate better while expressing a new level of vulnerability, and I learned how to trust my husband first rather than the community I had for so long depended on. So many good yet intimidating things that I couldn't hide from. (insert wide-eyed emoji here).
These last few years have been a time of accelerated growth with the realization that I am not in control. Shifts in life are hard, yet so beautiful. I am reminded daily to live with a grateful heart, face difficulties head-on, and accept the shifts that come our way. Embracing life's changes only enrich our character and extend our compassion. And in it all, we must learn to relax. Pressure on ourselves never does any good.
What are some life shifts that have been hard, yet growing? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.
This post is in collaboration with The Refined Collective Series. Be sure to check out the other ladies in this wonderful group! Kat, The Refined Woman, Brynn Watkins, Jackie Viramontez, Sarah Shreves
Images by Felicia Lasala
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