A couple of my major changes this year were my new job and my daughter moved to San Diego in August. Granted I didn't move across the country but her change caused change for me. Empty nest in 2015. It makes the house quiet. Madi steps hard. So I don't hear her stomp through the house when she gets home from work. I don't walk by her bedroom and bathroom and wonder what it looks like on the other side of the closed door. I don't text her about 5:00 to see if I should cook for three people or just two. I miss her. On the flip side I am so excited for her. She is living her dream. She graduated from college, worked a year and saved money, then moved to SD. She is maturing daily. Madi is a full-time adult. She is learning every day about life renting an apartment with a roommate. She is learning about bills, taking care of her car, buying groceries, cooking, budgeting, and health insurance. Boy that last one is a tough one with the affordable care act. So many questions, so many decisions. I oftentimes will think back to my early 20's and recall my change to full-time adulthood.
My job change this year was huge. I was in higher education for over 13 years. I was good at my job and early on I became the go-to person for many faculty, staff, and administrators. I really loved the work I did, working with students, helping them become their own navigators of their education and future. Back in 2011 I graduated with my masters degree in counseling. My daughter had graduated from ONU in May 2014 and I felt it was time to work more in that field and to fulfill requirements that lead to licensure. I gave a gracious timeline for my departure and left in the middle of July. Can I just say that was a major, major change. I am learning what it is like to work for a government agency (without a budget in place, too). Also, chronic mental illness is a tough field. Counseling people that are struggling more often than not is tough. Many are looking for a job, for purpose, for some type of motivation. Boy, is it tough. Boy, do I miss helping those college kids to navigate their education, career, and future. A different kind of struggle that's for a sure.
Those are just a couple of my big changes. There is a plethora of smaller changes as well as some changes I am hoping to make in 2016. I am not one to make new year's resolutions. I am more of a planner and goal setter type. Over the past year I have simplified how I live. I have donated 16 bags of stuff that were just taking up space. I hope to continue to simplify and I am working on becoming debt-free in three years. I still want to move south someday and return to a work environment in education.
Keep on keepin' on!
Simply,
