The past two days have been full of frustrating issues with my web server, and even though I am not quite sure it is completely fixed it is on the mend! Thanks for bearing with me!
Yesterday I headed to the gym pretty early to work out some of the technical frustrations.
I did a 4.5 mile run (same as last week) and then walked for 1 mile afterwards. I felt great and was so happy that my legs were finally recovered from my strength training last week.
I did bike some afterwards later while reading the third book in the Hunger Games trilogy. Reading makes spinning go by so much quicker. You almost forget you are even doing anything!
Wes and I watched the new Hunger Games movie last night and I LOVED IT! It made me want to start reading the third book ASAP!
I did try out a new sports drink while I was running. I took a bit of a risk because my stomach doesn’t always agree with me when I try out new workout drinks.
I tried INRefresh from Ignite Naturals.
It was really delicious and even though I added much more water than it called for it seemed to work perfectly. I am also happy to report I had no stomach issues.
We are getting snow out the wazoo here again and I couldn’t be more ready for warmer days. I just keep reminding myself that we are enduring our LAST winter here. I have never been happier to be able to say that.
This week Wes and I have to make a few life changing decisions. Ok, maybe that’s a little dramatic but we do have to figure out a few things that will greatly impact our life over the next few years.
I’m excited about the changes coming forward, but they are also frightening. I’ve always been a person who gets really nervous when it comes to change. I usually am terrified but for once these changes make me nervous but also very excited.
I thought I’d focus today’s post on how to prepare for change. Change is inevitable, but when you see it coming how do I begin to prep myself for a new life. How do I get ready knowing that one of the most stressful years in my husband’s career is coming up. There are a lot of unknowns but there are a few things I’ve been doing to get ready for it.
1. Focus on the Positive
Instead of sitting there and thinking about how little we might see each other next year or how we have no idea where we will be I am focusing on the exciting parts.
All the places Wes has applied are much closer to our family so even if we end up an hour or two away from them it is so much better than ten! I look forward to spending more time with both our families and making up for some of the time we’ve missed.
2. Look Forward to a Reset
The past 4 years living where we are have been tough. Not only did we deal with some pretty unexpected stresses, but it has been hard for us adjusting to life here. We’ve done pretty well but I look forward to resetting and having a new start.
I look forward to the simple things like finding a new place to live, new friends, new places to go on the weekends, and finding ways to enjoy a new city. There are so many exciting things that I can look forward to!
3. Stop Being Afraid
When we first found out we would be moving to Erie, PA I was terrified. I had no idea what to expect and I was scared of being 10 hours from my family and friends. I had never lived far away and I was the last person on earth you would expect to move away, but we do crazy things for love.
One of the keys I learned was stop being afraid. If you let fear take you over you will fall into a trap of negativity. I remember when we moved here I couldn’t do anything. I was trapped with fear. After I let go of the fear and tried to make the best of the situation I was freed. I was finally able to find some enjoyment in my situation.
4. Take it One Day at a Time
I am doing this now more so than ever. I can’t control what is going to happen in the next coming months, all I have control over is the hear and now. I can’t control when I will find a job, where we will be moving, or where I will work when we move. I can control my attitude, my support for my husband, and what is going on in my life now.
I focus as much as I can in enjoying each day as it comes. That is all I can do and I promise life becomes more enjoyable when you live this way.
5. Come Together
Even though we are really stressed, we have really come together during this time and I’d say are more on the same page than we ever have been. I allow Wes to do what he needs to do, and I know that he will come to me if he needs help or support.
I try to be supportive and find fun ways to spend time together. We may not have this much time together for much longer, so it is important to come together and make these next few months fun.
6. Day Dream
This has been my favorite so far. I love to dream about where we are moving, the house that I want to rent, the yard I will finally get for my dog, and what our lives will be like 3-5 years from now.
I know it is a little out there to be day dreaming about things when we have no idea what is coming, but it helps to keep me positive and I end up finding enjoyment in the small things.
Change can be stressful but if you focus on what you have control over and the fun things that can come from it, you will find away to get past your fears and enjoy the ride!
What is the last big change you had happen in your life?
Are you a fan of change or does it terrify you?
I am not a big ‘change’ person any more than I am particularly spontaneous 🙂 Our last big change was moving to New York. I had lived in Massachusetts all my life except for college years, and still consider myself a MA boy. That was huge – especially moving the kids into new schools in 4th and 5th grade! But we all know it was the best thing!
It is funny how some of your thoughts seem to conflict, but are really complementary – like ‘daydreaming’ and ‘one day at a time’. They seem to conflict, yet it is so easy to get hyper-focused on details that you forget about the bigger picture of your life. Similarly, when you want to ‘move to what is next’, sometime you forget to actually live in the moment.
I always tell my kids – you can remake tomorrow, but yesterday is gone. So live with a vision of how you want to make tomorrow, but don’t forget to enjoy today.
Here is my challenge to you for today: you and Wes need to make a list of 10 things you LOVE and will MISS about Erie.
You might think “I just want to put this snow-infested hell-hole in my rear-view mirror” … but a year or two or five from now you will think ‘remember when …’ and come up with things. It is interesting to do. Where we lived in Mass for the last 15 years, we were only 1 hr from Boston and 30 minutes from Nashua NH … but basically nowhere, had to drive 20 minutes for groceries and the school system was quickly eroding under dwindling budgets. Yet just as we know the move was right, we can come up with a list of very positive things to remember.
Love that idea! We have actually been talking about that we will miss and I think I could list 10 things. There probably aren’t that much more than 10 but I could list those.
There are always positive things to get from anywhere you live, and there are some here but I will be happy when we know where we are going next!
You are right – taking things one day at a time and day dream are contradictory, but I think what I meant by day dream is that I need to find little things that make me find the positive in change. I look forward to being able to pick out a new place to live and find new things in a city – and since change scares me some I like to focus on those fun things to do together! 🙂
I am not a fan of change, but the older I get I am finding I need to embrace new ways of doing things (especially when the old way no longer serves me). It’s not easy but I try just “go with the flow”! The last big change I had was completely re-working my training schedule. I’ve been working on it since last year and think I am finally settling into my new way and seeing the benefit. Hang in there and one day at a time, Sara!
I too am trying to “go with the flow” – I know i’ll get there, and change can always be exciting and positive 🙂
I’m totally a fan of change but my husband and I have gone through so much change over the past couple years that we are finally happy to have NO change for awhile! How many times can I say change in one sentence?!
I love your outlook on major change. It’s really hard to not get into a funk when it comes to uprooting and moving somewhere new. Starting out all over again can be super fun but terribly exhausting. Keep daydreaming girl, it’ll get you through it!
Can’t wait to hear where you end up!
You are a pro with change then! I am getting better than I used to be that is for sure!
Thanks me either! Just ready to find out 🙂
I saw the same movie last night! Last big change was moving 3000 miles away for my PhD 18 months ago. But I’ve done similar big changes, moving out of the country, living apart from my husband for 6 months while he finished school, etc. I don’t really mind life change which is funny because I hate change when it comes to my food or my preferred nights out or whatnot, I do the same things all the time.
Great post! I always REALLY, REALLY work myself up over change and cause myself much more stress than needed (like my recent job change!). Kevin seems to be much better at just riding the wave and taking it as it comes – wonder if it’s a male thing? Sending you guys all my positive thoughts. Keep up the good work of staying positive!
My last big change was moving home from Scotland, and deciding not to finish my PhD in mathematics. I realised that I wanted to accomplish something different in my life, but man was it a scary (and huge!) decision.
Wow that is a crazy big change! Good for you for following your dreams and doing what you knew was best!
Moving here to colorado! Was a HUGE change, a risk, and it scared the crap out of me… which is why I knew I needed to do it. I am a creature of habit but I know the things that scare me and challenge me the most are usually the most rewarding.
Oh that is so true Hayley! I too am a creature of habit, so I think this will be good for me.