6 Things I Learned This Winter

Well, it’s that time again. Where I share a list of things I learned during the latest season. For this particular post, I’m sharing 6 things I learned this winter. I joined Emily P. Freeman and others (the #WWL community) in this new venture last summer when I first launched this new blogging space. I shared what I learned this last fall as well. Although I’m still new at sharing these lists, I’m beginning to see patterns and reoccurring themes from season to season. Let’s dive into this season’s list!

 

 

1. New beginnings, fresh starts, clean slates are good for the soul.

I feel like I say this one all the time, but it’s still holds so much truth. Our recent move from the coast to Oregon’s wine country has been such a breath of fresh air. One that I’ve needed for quite some time. Without getting into too much details, for now, 2017 was a rough year. A really rough year. So starting off 2018 with a move and a new job was just what I needed. It was what my soul needed.

 

2. I’m getting really good at moving.

Like too good. Oklahoma City, OK to Lincoln City, OR to Depoe Bay, OR to Newberg, OR. All within 15 months.

(Moving hacks coming soon.)

 

 

3. A person can miss a couch.

More specifically, my huge, comfy sectional. Y’all, it’s out of storage! (If you’re not familiar with this fabulous couch, it’s pictured here, here, here, here, oh and here. Can you tell we love it?) When I was preparing for the big move to Oregon, I sold a lot of furniture and other stuff (like a lot). But I couldn’t let go of my couch. This couch has seen a lot of trials and triumphs. A lot of football and Pioneer Woman. A lot of sleepless nights and cuddles with Tank. And even though I had no idea if the abnormally large couch would fit wherever I ended up, I wanted to continue those couch memories in Oregon. I think it’s pretty safe to say that Chris has fallen in love with the couch too.

4. Going and looking at Christmas lights still makes me giddy.

Like a little girl. In fact, when we walked in, I squealed and did a little jump in the air. Growing up in a small town, we didn’t have an elaborate light display like the ones at Christmas in the Garden, but I can remember driving around our neighborhood and admiring all the twinkle lights-adorned houses. There’s something about all the little lights coming together to illuminate the pockets of darkness.

 

5. I really missed having a nerdy, tech job.

Yup. I did. I missed working with GIS, analyses, spreadsheets – all the nerdy things. I’m not saying my last job was bad or that I didn’t work on the computer at all, but it just wasn’t a fit for me. The good thing is that I noticed that and paid attention. And then, I took action.

 

 

6. No one tells you making new friends in your 30s is worse than dating.

Or at least that’s how it’s felt for me. Thankfully, I had a dear sorority sister and long-time friend who lived in the small coastal town I moved to here in Oregon, and I was lucky and met some pretty great women through my job. However, I think there’s a gap can be filled with more open dialogue about the struggles of making friends (and keeping them) in your later years.

Although conversations about these friendship difficulties in your 30s & 40s need to be more prevalent, there have been some women who have started some of those hard conversations. Like my writer friend, Maeve, in her instagram post. And Jen Hatmaker with her podcast episode about girlfriends, the recent podcast episode on the Selfie Podcast about 5 women and how they started their their long-distant friendships, and Abbie Meyer’s post on how to nurture those long-distance friendships. Moving away from my people has definitely been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But it has also made me grow and realize the intention necessary to maintain those friendships back at home.

 

With every season that passes, I’m learning more about my grief journey, and in turn, learning more about myself.

In case you missed them, you can see what I learned last year here:

• 8 Things I Learned This Summer (#1 still makes my heart ache, and #8 is always a good reminder.)
• 5 Things I Learned This Fall (#2 is hashtag truth, and more to come with #5… possibly in the spring list)

If you wish to join along for the next list – Spring – you can print off Emily’s sheets with lines and all the pretty things to keep track of your reflections and ah-ha moments. And, if you’re a journaler (is that a word? I just made it one), they fit perfectly in this journal with a cute piece of washi tape tabbed on the top.

The Spring list will be posted at the end of May, so join me in this next season and let’s see what we learn in the season of new beginnings – refresh and rebirth.

 

What did you learn this winter? Any ah-ha moments or reflections worth noting? Tell me in the comments below!