The dropping of leaves, encourages us to hunker down, to slow our pace. This September lives are speeding up and taking off. Most of the friends that I see on a regular basis, are experiencing their own versions of change. I am not alone in figuring out my days.
Three of my favorite friends have new babies and another friend is about to move and then go on tour for a few months and Nick is beyond busy right now with a schedule as follows:
Monday- soccer
Tuesday- class
Wednesday- soccer
Thursday- class
Sprinkle in a full time job and homework.
I spend my days: drinking coffee, having one-sided conversations with Duke and Toby, and writing. I enjoy my time and could not ask for a better opportunity. I am also grateful for the cool mornings and football Sundays but I am feeling a little restless.
My extroversion is fighting against my natural desire to be home and create.
On hot August mornings, I started my day with iced coffee and yard work. The heat and the newness of my career was enough to allow me to settle into my desk without feeling like the sun was wasted.
As the days get cooler, I realize that soon I will not want to step outside and I don't have to. I am beyond excited to not have to trudge outside when it is negative degrees but I know that to be happy- I need to find a balance. A balance between being alone and time with friends. I have not yet figured it out.
I knew it would be one of my biggest challenges. I am an extremely social person and relationships are more important to me than anything. Even in writing, it is the intricacies of human connection that interest me most.
The other side to this is finding what I want to do, without influence. I have a tendency to pursue activities because a friend is interested. Not often enough, will I venture out if it means going by myself. I need to get better at that! I am trying. I went to yoga at 8:30 yesterday morning. Which by my standards, is very early. Tonight I am going to a book reading. If I say it here, I am much more likely to follow through.
Any suggestions you have for finding balance, are much appreciated.
PS: While I have been writing this, Toby has been chasing a fly through my office.
PPS: I cannot shop right now due to budget restrictions and Anthropologie has more amazing stuff than ever before! If I could only have one, it'd be this.
I totally understand what you are going through. I have been at this for over a year now and have created a work/life balance so that I do not feel lonely. I struggle mostly with budgeting as most, if not all of my friends make a heck of a lot more than me and I always want to do what they are doing. That being said, I tend to make sure I still make plans with my friends or say yes to their plans and adjust my spending habits.
ReplyDeleteDuring the day when I am home, I try to fill my schedule so full that I don't even realize I'm alone. I make sure to shower and exercise in the mornings so that I don't feel like I haven't accomplished the morning yet. Then I try to do things like go grocery shopping, plan friends to stop by for lunch, etc. to keep my days busy. It is never easy in the beginning but you start to fill your days and you wonder how you ever had a full time job and kept up with everything and everyone. :)
Don't worry. You will find your balance. Sometimes it just takes time.