A Fresh Star

I lost this blog...not sure why I forgot to post it! it's from Sept!! Enjoy!!

I am entering a new phase. For almost two years my life consisted of nothing but work. Actually, longer than that since I had a private practice that occupied much of my time, usually working 6 days a week. The days that I was off, it was to run errands and catch up on all I missed doing. I did not want to exhaust the energy needed to socialize, interact, or hang out, so interaction was minumum, especially in the past 2 years.  So I felt that getting a job and shrinking my private practice, this would allow me more time (as well as a steady income=less stress) with life.  So, I got the job, but found I was working more.  I hate turning clients away, especially teenagers, knowing that they can benefit from therapy.  Then it hit me that as much as I love being a therapist and having a job, some changes needed to be made. From Monday to Thursday I wake up at 5 am, out the house by 6:00-6:30,to drive 1 1/2-2 hours to work, to return to see clients until 8:30. Get home, eat, and prep for the next day. At least one or two weekends a month, travel up and down the mid-Atlantic to work. 

There were things I wanted to do, many things, but my weekends off, I usually would be recuperating. So I have been on a job hunt, hoping for something closer to home. Well I found a job, not closer to home, but it allows me to change my therapy schedule so that I am home in the evenings more. As much as I love being a therapist, I also want to be present for my family. I want to interact with my friends. I want to sit on my couch and be a bum, not because I am recuperating but just to be a bum.  My family means everything to me, my friends keep me grounded, my being a bum allows me to be in tune with me.

Lets keep it real, my time with my daughter is short, soon enough she will be off to college. I love my time with my husband, we've been in each others lives since childhood, don't want to miss out on that. Being with my friends allows a good time, smile, and I can be Mercia!! Having my quiet time alone, allows me to listen to that little voice and check in with me.

I have begun to think of the many things I want to do, learn to sew, learn to speak Spanish, get back to running, take some jewelry making classes, and so on. Hubby told me to me to sit down, relax, and then figured out what I want to do. I think I'm excited that I will have the time to do things. I realized that when I couldn't do things, I missed it so much, I now have more appreciation since I will soon have time.

So here I am, coming upon my fresh start..to start living...and appreciating time and using it wisely!!

New Adventures

I have written previously about becoming complacent in my life. My lack of socializing and gathering with the outside world, just left me bored and a boring person. I was content, lazy, low energy, whatever you want to call it.  I was just not taking time out to enjoy all parts of life. So I have been working to do a better job at living, beyond my jobs (yes you read that right, two of them). These jobs don't even include my work as a mother and wife!! LOL!!

I am only 36, really I am just getting started on this whole life thing!! I don't want to wish I had done things, but smile at all I have and will do.

In the past year, my comfort level has been challenged. First with my job that has required me to travel alone. Interacting with many leaders in the Navy. I have usually gone to visit others, usually friends and family; but my job had me going out to eat by myself, learn new areas, and find ways to entertain myself in new regions. Basically to become more self sufficient than Ibelieved myself to be.  I have met some great people along the way. I have also enjoyed the freedoms that came with being solo, even the mini trips I made of the visits, when possible, I have been able to make with my family.

CAPT Adellman (retired) of the RCC of the Mid-Atlantic Region for the Navy Reserves

My hubby and I took a mini vacation, something we haven't done in years, actually going somewhere he hasn't been and had been years for me, okay decades!! It was nice to get away and relax, just focusing on the two of us. All couples need downtime, and we have had our staycations, but it was nice to just get up and go, away from home.

So on a whim I traveled to the Dominican Republic. First time I have left the country since I graduated high school, and Baby Girls first time ever. I went to bed early and slept hard. I realized then that my body needed more downtime, but also more activity and work does not count. I watched my daughter swim with dolphins and we both got on a zip line. It was nice just to be completely present with her. 

Kissed by sea life!!

Today, I was supposed to try paddle boarding but we opted to go canoeing, so we could be together as a family. I hadn't been canoeing since childhood. I had fun hanging with wonderful people and my beautiful family. I didn't worry about anything except not flipping the boat. I sat back and listened to my friends laugh, my husband give orders, my daughter scream about not rocking the boat. 

My first reaction was to tell my husband to stop playing around, but then I thought, sometimes you have to rock the boat, and let him have fun torturing our daughter. It reminded that as hard as I work, its okay to sit back and let life sway, float, and have at it but no matter what is going on...I must enjoy it.

Even when my body is telling me to not go, rest, there are times I must say Shut Up Body, and do it. Usually, I find that I am fine. Plus, once my body says its done, I listen and shut things down.

My adventures are far from over but I had to share that I am living, not just alive. I am enjoying life and I am excited to see what other adventures are coming my way!!