Just like that I’m finished with my internship! If you’re reading this, I’m back in Dallas unpacking and settling down *gasp*!
That’s a really weird thought. I haven’t settled down and gotten comfortable since I packed up to start college 7 years ago. I actually feel like a real adult. I’ve started applying for jobs. I’m thinking about buying furniture and how I want to decorate my apartment. I’m thinking about continuing education I want to get (yes I am that nerdy!). I’m thinking about my future. A future without homework, projects, assignments. I’m thinking about a life where I come home and relax, because it’s the end of the day.
I’m looking forward to fall mornings on my patio watching the sunrise, while sipping a steamy cup of coffee. I’m looking forward to movie nights on my couch with friends. I’m looking forward sitting in coffee shops people watching and sipping lattes. I’m looking forward to testing recipes in my little kitchen. I’m looking forward to discovering what my life has to offer. Adventure. Friendship. Love. Laughter. Life.
So here’s the best and the hardest parts of the last year of my life.
Hills
- 2 weeks with a residential eating disorder program
- Presenting a 2 hour live “Cooking with Diabetes” demo
- Meeting the coolest supermarket dietitian at Reasor’s
- Photographing a Mud Run
- Traveling to Chicago for Vegandale vegan festival
Valleys
- Struggling to adapt to moving to Oklahoma
- Listening too much to my inner critic
- Not going on more weekend adventures
So what did I learn?
The theme that weaved throughout my time in Oklahoma was endurance.
There were so many days where I just didn’t want to. I would wake up and have no motivation for anything. I’m pretty sure I didn’t leave my house on the weekend for the first four months of 2018. I wasn’t in a very good place mentally, but I kept going. Each day I woke up and fulfilled my responsibilities. If that was all I got done for the day, then I was still successful. When the weekend rolled around, if I all I could manage was staying in bed, that’s what I did. I gave myself space to adjust. I had new surroundings again, I had a hard time making friends, and I felt more out of place than ever. But I can sit here now, and say that each day of my internship I showed up. I brushed my teeth, got dressed, and showed up. On the days that it was a struggle just to get out of the bed, I took extra care of myself. I let myself be.
So, whether you’re preparing for another school year, getting ready to start a new job, or getting ready for the next week. You too can have endurance. You have it in you to show up every day. To fulfill your responsibilities and then go home and take care of yourself. Whatever that looks like for you. Get extra sleep if you need it, eat nutritious and satisfying food, spend time with friends, read, stretch, do yoga, walk around the park, people watch at the local coffee shop. Whatever is restful and fills you up. Do that thing. And then show up. Every. Single. Day.
Today is the best day to change your life!
