Comings and goings to close 2019
January sky taken from my morning walk with the dogs.
While we’re officially into mid-January, the last months of 2019 were a lot for me. Many changes, emotions, and moments to be present in. Going through the process, I knew I needed a chance to feel and be in it before sharing. Today in my woolen socks with a sleeping dog next to me, I’m ready.
I changed jobs. I’d been working on campus for over nine years, so this was a big deal for me. In my last week of work, I noticed I was unconsciously avoiding my boss because if I saw her, I knew I’d fall apart. Not out of guilt or fear, but merely the sadness of not seeing her face as often, getting to crack jokes, or tap into her brilliance and support. Same with so many of my colleagues and work friends. When I ran into her, I did tear up, and you know what? It was great. It is possible to be both a professional and a teary human all at the same time. It is possible to hold grief, joy, and excitement together and let it simmer.
I was teaching. My two weekly yoga classes and some additional practices as a substitute. I also taught my second semester of public speaking as an adjunct professor. I love that teaching holds me accountable and forces me to focus on one thing: being present. It’s my opinion that anyone can learn a script of yoga cues, or put together slide decks of information, the hardest and most transformative thing for me, is staying in the moment and connecting. It’s exhausting, uncertain, and sometimes uncomfortable. I’m not perfect at it, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I traveled. I spent time in Grand Rapids, Brooklyn, Ann Arbor, and Skaneateles. There’s no way to capture each one of these trips, but the parts I remember most are the people. Some of these folks were family by blood, others by heart, or profession. All of them golden. I’m grateful for all of the moments we shared. Moments like: reunited bear hugs, rom coms on the couch, bagels and lox in Central Park West, hot yin yoga, shared veggie bowls in Dekalb Market Hall (okay, multiple meals here), wandering Trader Joe’s, cozy cafe lunches, family dinners and reflecting on it all from above the clouds in a plane.
What’s happening now? I am:
+Recovering from cold and am grateful to feel my energy and health returning.
+Enjoying the magic of growing into my new job and connecting with a team that I’ve already grown to adore.
+Tracking and tackling some personal financial goals.
+Getting excited for my first trip to Sedona, AZ later this month (please send recommendations!).
+Steeping myself in questions about my schedule and what feels right for the next three months, in my routine, rituals, even number of social gatherings.
+Committing to blogging and allowing Honey & Thistle to transform as much as I am.