I haven’t been my real self on this blog very often. I have posted a few entries that are more than just the “DVG Everything Is Awesome Tour Guide” but have not been telling the whole story. Because as much as I have been able to explore some really cool stuff in California, it hasn’t been very easy.
I have always been a home body, and am very close to my family. I hadn’t realized how much I relied on having people nearby for my own happiness and security. So this has been a bit like the transition to college all over again. Only without the structure of school orientation and combined with the struggle of losing my father last year. All of the baggage that I thought I had dealt with is coming up, and it hasn’t been easy to work through.
But it is definitely getting better. I don’t cry as often, I am learning to support myself, and I am making a whole new group of Friends. So, if you’re struggling through a transition, here are a few tools that have helped me in adjusting.
- Routine. I go to a free meditation class every Friday night and it has worked wonders. Not only does it provide structure and alone time, I also now see the same people every week which is very reassuring.
- Adventure. On the other side of the coin from routine, it also has been helpful for me to have adventures. Life is about having fun, and taking time to explore San Francisco has been a blast. I also often bring new friends on adventures, which makes it double the fun.
- Journaling. As I have mentioned in the past, I am working though the book The Artists Way. The purpose of the book is for everyone to find their inner artist, starting with “morning pages” every day. Morning pages are three pages that you write in your journal every morning, even if you have nothing to say. It has surprised me how much I have enjoyed writing every day- I even rearranged my commute to make it easier!
How do you get through times of transition? Anything else I should add to the list?