Finding the New Normal

I realize it's been a hot minute since I posted. But lately there have been a few changes and I felt it important to sit down, reflect and write.

If you know me at all you know I'm not a fan of change. However, you can't continue through life without change. In my life I've gone through several changes that made such an impact on who I am. Those would include moving when I was 9 to a new town and school, graduating high school and moving to college, and in that same time frame my parents selling the house I grew up in and moving to a new house. I also remember graduating college, moving home, then moving into my own home. In fact, I just "celebrated" living in my house for 5 years this past July. I was thinking about it, I've lived in my current house longer than I've lived anywhere in the past 10 years. #crazy

Other changes that have made an impact are career changes. Normally, I'm the one that leaves and that creates the change for myself. However, now the shoe is on the other foot. Since May, four people that I was close to at work have moved on to other jobs. Totally by their choice, which is great for them! But crumby for me! It made me think that everyday you come to work and you think "oh it'll just be a normal day," and then one day you realize that it's not the same anymore. You won't take a 15minute break to walk to someone's office to have a conversation and laugh about pointless things, because that person has moved to California. Or you won't sit in your managers office and discuss work items only to have the conversation divert to clothes or men. So you have to find a "new normal." Finding that new normal is difficult. I've only been in my current position for about a year and 1/2, and so the people that have left are people that have been here before me, therefore I've never known it to be "different." Well now it's different.

I'm excited to see who is hired to replace my manager, although I don't think you ever replace her. She was truly a mentor to me. I had finally met someone in my professional life that not only cared about my success but also cared about me as a person and friend. I was able to take on a few of her responsibilities which I have come to love and I hope I get to keep them even when the position is filled. So, change has actually brought on a learning opportunity. #winwin

Another change that always seems imminent is relationship changes. I have two close girlfriends I still keep in touch with from high school. Both are married, however, one has 2 children now and lives across the country. The friendship dynamic is completely different. Normally, I would say that we are able to pick up right where we left off the last time we were together. But this most recent visit she had here, I can't say that. It doesn't feel like we are strangers, it just doesn't feel like we have anything in common. Again, not a good change, but a necessary evil of the evolution of time.

I guess my point is that I understand and accept that change is important, however, I never said I had to like it. Some changes are good and bring new opportunities, experiences and relationships. These changes have effected me indirectly and I'm having to find my "new normal." I can only pray that when a change impacts me personally that God creates in me feeling of security and reassurance that all change is part of his plan and he will reveal his true purpose in due time.