That’s it.
I have a hard time believing it’s somehow already August 3rd. I still remember jumping up and down in my room in sheer disbelief I was offered a paid internship working in England for the summer. I called my parents immediately to share the news, quickly followed by the anxiety of organizing a trip that would take advantage of every second I spent abroad. I had plans to go to Italy and Spain, I had to think big! I found my way to Iceland, I navigated big cities in the UK, and I did it all on my own. I was enjoying this new freedom I felt…and that was all stripped when I found out I filled out my VISA incorrectly. I was sent home shortly after starting my international adventure and suddenly my world began to crash before it even had a real chance to take off.
Sitting at home was a nightmare. My positivity could only last so long. I was lucky enough to see my brother graduate high school but once the shine wore off, I couldn’t get out of my own head. I was resilient up until the point I wasn’t. I struggled to wait to return to England and when I FINALLY got back, I felt homesick and depressed. I never would have thought transitioning back would have been as hard as it was. So I buckled down, I developed a new routine for myself and made a plan. I took control of my time and I stopped making excuses for my negativity. I realized I made a mistake but there was no changing the past.
Gratitude. Gratitude is what allowed me to be present more than anything else. In another life, I was born and raised in England. I’ve wanted to visit the UK for as long as I remember wanting to travel anywhere in the world. AND, I got to be there during the World Cup and enjoy the sport’s biggest tournament with people like me. No, my summer was far from perfect but it didn’t have to be. I learned something new about myself every day abroad and found new purpose within myself. Who knows if the same would be true if everything had gone according to plan. Change is good and it may not always feel like it but it propels us in ways we could never imagine on our road to BECOMING.
I want to thank everyone who reached out over the summer, my readers, my followers, and my family for keeping me going. I could not have done any of this alone and my gratitude for you all deserves more than a line in a list. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I am a stronger person because of the kindness and patience that has been shown to me. Thank you. This was a summer to remember.
08.03.18
Today I’m Grateful For…
- A couple deep breaths
- Learning through adversity
- The reliant sunshine and summer warmth
- Exercise as a tool for my mental health
- Morning hikes and catching the sunrise
- The World Cup and sharing it with my brother
- My parents and their unconditional support
- The smell of the ocean and the sound of the waves against the dock
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CLEAN WATER! Check out my project and see how you can get involved!
- Talking things out with my sister
- My summer audiobooks and the escape they provide
- My parents’ home cooking. I tried my best this summer but I miss theirs
- Getting organized and having a plan for the fall semester
- New perspective and clarity
- Time to journal and having a place to spill my thoughts
- Shared laughter and fun memories
- Change, and all it brings
- My comfy green sweatshirt as I wait through my 20-hour layover
- Good music to get me through my lows
- Walks through campus to work in the morning
- Routine and consistency to ease my mind
- Finding my way in a completely different country
- Sharing my daily gratitudes
- Life itself. I know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be
- The here and now
As always, check out my first blog, 25 Things I’m Grateful For (#1) to know why I’m writing this list and why I want you to start yours.
Featured image of my favorite night in England this summer. I’ve been saving this picture and between the colors of the sunset and the moon, I’ll always have this.
