9 Years Later…

 This little blog idea was born 9 years ago this past weekend. Silly of me to not celebrate it on a grander scale! 

…but that’ll be next year :) 

When I started this little project, I was 29 and living in my 4th apartment. I had just left a job I spent 6 and a half years pouring my heart and soul into - for another job that I am finding is now challenging my reality. But I still show up every day and give it my all (except random Fridays… those should be a non work day!) - even when I am burnt to a CRISP mentally and emotionally. Not bragging or looking for props - it’s a flaw I carry with me. 

ANYWAY

This blog started as a way for me to reignite my passion for writing. I was coming up on the 1 year anniversary of my grandfather’s passing - after the hardest year of my life (2017.. you suck) - and I wanted a place to be able to share my thoughts and just maybe help one single person in the world. 

I didn’t start this blog for likes, attention, fame, or brand deals. Happy to report, none of that has happened. I love writing on my own schedule, when the mood strikes, or I have something to say. 

Today is 9 years since my granddaddy passed. Everything I did that day I remember so vividly. How the day started, how I found out, how I was sitting at my desk, who saw me collapse in the hallway on my way to the bathroom because my heart was so broken, how my boss told me to go home but I told him I was good to work the day. How I walked into my CrossFit class that night and tried so hard to out work the grief. That weekend was a bit of a blur - but I remember seeing my mom for the first time…and doing everything in my power not to fall apart because she needed the love and support. 

A LOT has happened in the 9 years since I started this little baby. 

I moved from the apartment I started this in to a really nice apartment closer to work. After almost 3 full years, Mother Nature decided it was time to shake things up. If you’ve been around a while, you’re very familiar with the story. If not, there are plenty of posts about it on here. 

We survived a pandemic in the last 9 years. 

I experienced a lot of life. 

I was single as a dang Pringle when I started this blog - now I am married to my best friend and have become a family with our rescue cat, Gus. I was First Lady of the Shriners of NH for a year (WOOOOF.. also should do a series on the lessons that year taught me). Made some incredible friendships. Have done quite a bit of travel nationally. Got more tattoos. Started going back to church regularly. 

Spent a lot of time in therapy. Like…a LOT. Went through 3 therapists and on my 4th now (can also do a series diving into that). Healed a lot of new wounds, opened up some scars that weren’t fully healed, worked on those. Took on the scary grief monster and am still working through it. Therapy isn’t linear, neither is healing. I’ve been accused of being “out of my scope” or “toxically positive” because I truly mean it when I say EVERYONE can benefit from therapy at some point in their lives. That is a hill I will die on. No, it’s not easy to get started. But you get out of it what you put into it. You need to be HONEST with yourself and your therapist - once you find a good fit. Then the work begins. 

To say I have learned a lot about myself since starting this bad boy would be the understatement of the year. I am in no way perfect. I have flaws and will be the first to admit it. But having this beautiful place to land when I need it most? The best gift I could have given myself. 

Today, I will spend time reminiscing about my Granddaddy. Remembering the times he made me feel like his favorite granddaughter - all the things we shared when I was growing up. My love for history. My absolute obsession with the JFK Library. My love of reading. 

It’s Tuesday, but I absolutely watched wrestling last night and thought of how he loved this crap haha I will remember how he LOVED my grandmother (we’re talking Notebook level love), how he made my brother and I feel loved. He always had some long winded story that never seemed to end. But we listened anyway. 

I used to close these with some sort of action item or call to action. It’s time to bring them back. 

Spend time with your loved ones while you have the chance. Take the pictures. Be YOU.