Friday Five | August

Y’all, I’m not gonna lie: August was a rough month. But rough months happen, and I am so glad the month is almost over. I’m in need of a fresh start, and fortunately I’m getting it in the form of moving to a new apartment next week! But in light of trying to find positives even among the most challenging times, for this edition of my Friday Five, I’m sharing five things I’ve learned this month and how I’m going to move forward like a champ.

Also, before I go any further, next week marks my SEVENTH YEAR blogging. Holy wow, y’all, I can’t even believe it. I’ll have a post or something special about that after I get moved and settled in my new apartment. So, until then…

On this edition of the Friday Five…

Here are five important things I’ve learned this month that I’m going to keep in mind going forward. They’re not always the easiest lessons, but the ones that stick with you rarely are easy.

One // It’s okay to cry when you need to.  Seriously, y’all, don’t let anyone tell you it’s not okay to cry. It’s a perfectly natural release of emotion. I hate crying in front of other people—even my closest friends and parents—but when I need to cry, I find a way to let myself do it, and then clean myself up when I’m done. It’s kind of like holding in a sneeze. Don’t hold in tears.

Two // As much as I moved growing up, moving as an adult, even across town, is super stressful. Why is moving never as easy as it should be? I’ve been planning my move since mid-June and I swear my to-do list hasn’t gotten any shorter and the stress level has just gone up. All the things I have to change my address on… all the services I need to transfer… whatever else needs to be done. I’m glad I hired movers, that’s for sure. And I’m super thankful that my parents are coming out to help me.

Pro tip: start packing and cleaning out early.

Sharing five lessons I learned the month of August Click To Tweet

Three // You can’t “fix” someone. Everyone is flawed and broken in his or her own way. Even though I didn’t consciously set out to change or “fix” this person, I realized in retrospect that I kind of ended up trying to “fix” him anyway. As a “helper” by nature (enneagram type 2, anyone?), this has been a huge struggle for me. I cared for this person just as he was—flaws and all—and I shouldn’t have tried to “fix” him, consciously or not. At the same time, thinking that I couldn’t do enough to help tears me apart. As much as you may want to help someone put the pieces back together, he or she has to decide that it’s time for the walls to come down.

Are you singing Coldplay to yourself yet?

Four // Trying something new is the best way to refocus your time and energy. When your routine changes, you have to find something new to do with your leftover time and energy. Find a new hobby. Take a class. Go on a day trip, solo or with a friend. I had never rock-climbed in my life until a couple weeks ago. My friend from work wanted to give it a try, so we signed up for an intro belay class. We both ended up loving it, so guess who’s now top-rope belay certified! I also took an intro to calligraphy class. Let’s just say I need a lot more practice.

Five // Taking time for yourself is of utmost importance, especially in challenging times. I’ve raved about the necessities and benefits of self-care and stress relief multiple times on this blog. But I repeat it because it is incredibly important, especially when you’ve had a rough time. Stay on a good diet or eating plan. If you don’t sleep or eat well (or at all), you have no energy and anxiety is intensified. Stay hydrated and away from alcohol. Do something nice for yourself. Keep good people nearby. Snuggle with your animal.

And a bonus lesson: trusting God isn’t always easy.

I’m a very private Christian. When asked about my faith, I will share, but I won’t share more than I’m comfortable sharing until I can trust you. But the one thing I’m sure of and that I will always share is my faith that everything happens for a reason, that God has a plan and to trust Him.

But you know what? It’s hard to trust that God has something better in store when you feel like the best thing in your life was pulled out from under you. It’s hard to keep faith that God knows what’s best for you when the thing that made you so incredibly happy, isn’t anymore. As much as I’ve been praying for strength, healing and positive energy—for me and the other person—it doesn’t make trusting God and His plan any easier.

But I am a good Christian, and my faith, however shaken, will always be there. I believe that He puts everyone in your life for a reason, to teach you very specific lessons. Those lessons may not be immediately clear, but they will become clear in time.

Five very important lessons I learned this month Click To Tweet

I’m so glad August is almost over. I’m ready to get moved to my new apartment, and so ready to embrace a fresh start. Hard days, weeks and months will always happen, but as the saying goes, this too shall pass.

What did you learn this month? How do you stay positive during challenging times?