Ahhhhh, the bliss of summer. Full of vacations, days spent poolside, and longer nights outside. With the season comes the nostalgia of spending time among the crashing waves, casting your cares to the wind, and catching fireflies in a jar.
At least that’s how it’s supposed to be, right?
This summer has been far different than my Instagram feed would suggest or even this space for that matter. Behind the styled photos and fashion shoots, quite a different reality has transpired. Have you ever had one of those moments where things felt as if they were completely up in the air? Where there was nothing within your control to change it? This has been my summer. You’ve seen pictures of kayaking and hiking, adventures, beautiful clothes, and cups of coffee. I have found tremendous solace in this curated feed. It has provided space for my heart and mind to be at rest and maintain some form of rhythm to my life.
Truth be told: I like to think I have things under control.
I accepted that I’m not in control, but I like to think I have a clue. I don’t like uncertainty. It stretches me, pushes me out of my comfort zone, and I don’t know what to do with it.
I’m a creature of habit-from the way I take my coffee to my evening walk. I find that I function best in routine. This summer has been one of unpredictability. I can’t tell you where I’ll be living in the fall, what my financial picture will look like, or what community or relationships I will have in the next season. All of this uncertainty has left me concerned, trying to figure things out, and often questioning, “I wanted adventure, but am I in over my head? Is this normal? How do I validate my feelings while embracing the present for all that it has to offer?”
It seems that this summer is a season of waiting. One where I don’t know what life will look like at the end of the season. How does one maintain peace among all of the unknown? This is a process I’m still trying to figure out, but there are few things I know with greater assurance as time has gone on.
Words still remain true.
There’s tremendous value in staying focused.
My faith holds my head, my thoughts, and my heart still. In these moments I find incredible rest.
Life is full of unpredictabilities. It keeps me on my toes and stretches me in the most uncomfortable of ways.