How was your September? Mine was filled with change and new beginnings.
My dear friends and roommates for the past two years moved out. Two new women moved in. I spent a deliriously happy weekend with my friends from college at their new home in Pittsburgh and another wonderful weekend with my family in Boston. My sister visited New York for a few days (sorry Danielle for dragging you through midtown with a lot of luggage in 85° weather!). I started a new professional dance partnership. I left my job and the company I had worked with for the past six years (I started the day after I graduated from college!).
The other day I joked to my friend that if my life were a book it would be called, “Everything Was Horrible. Then Everything was Good Again.” because that’s the way this past month has felt.
I woke up most Mondays so anxious it was difficult to focus. I felt overwhelmed by all of the things on my to-do list and worried that the choices I was making — like leaving my full-time job to pursue things like this blog, writing a novel, and dance — would turn out to be mistakes. What if I couldn’t make it all work? What if I failed?
By Wednesday that anxiety had morphed into sadness. I cried about leaving my job. A lot. It was hard to let go of that part of my identity and the co-workers (many of whom have become close friends) I have spent so much of my life with these last few years.
By Friday, all of that anxiety and sadness melted away. In its place, I felt strength and happiness and a lot of gratitude. I know that I’m making the right choices and I know that I’m going to figure it all out. I have enough money saved to live on for a few months while I figure out how to bring writing into my professional life. In a few days I’m competing in the professional division at a dance event, a goal I’ve been working towards since I first started dancing salsa five years ago. I have an incredible community of friends and family around me who support and love me and remind me that everything is going to be okay.
Saturday I felt calm and excited. And then slowly that cycle repeated itself all over again.
I’d love to hear what you’re looking forward to this next month! Here are a few other things on my mind…
- I made this Coconut Cauliflower Rice Bowl and it was so good! (I substituted avocado for the ghee because I couldn’t find it at my local grocery).
- Lauren Weisberger’s When Life Gives You Lululemons made me laugh.
- I’m halfway through An American Marriage by Tayari Jones. Highly recommend!
- The answer I wish Kavanaugh would have given.
- Do you eat cereal? I still love a bowl of Special K with almond milk, but I can’t remember the last time I actually ate it for breakfast.
- Some great career advice from Amelia Diamond, Head of Creative at Man Repeller.
Xx
Brielle