Lots of New

I can't believe it's been more than a month in my new job! The personal benefits that have already taken place are just - I'm still wrapping my head around it all. We are able to utilize flex-time, so for example I took a half-day to spend time with my dad for his birthday at the beginning of November! Usually, it's the other way around and I'm telling my husband and/or family, "Sorry, I have this to do for work."

Dad and I biked and photographed through the Stoney Bayou area of St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, and he really enjoyed his KingFisher stained glass that beautifully matches the shirt my sister got for him for Father's Day!

Luckily our water was finally fixed in October after far too long, and I've really been trying to concentrate on leaning into the good. It's a big switch for me from the last nearly five years which have been inundated with death, an extremely toxic job, financial stress, and the decision to leave that job and move back to Tallahassee without having secured a new job, and then when I was fortunate enough to secure a job I wanted at the place I wanted, was immediately followed by the pandemic and all the stress that added onto EVERYTHING, included that job. We've been grateful for each other and how we have managed to survive all of that but in the last month, the amount of not necessarily amazing things, but also not bad things happening (minus the water fiasco) is new. I even received an awesome gift from our leadership team! So strange to think that it's weird that bad things aren't happening and to realize how exhausting it was living through all of that.

I've really worked hard on not going overboard with changes right away with the new job. I mean I cried when that first paycheck hit my account, but I also am trying not to go HAM with what all this newness can bring. One thing I have decided to focus on with this change however is my health. That has taken a back seat the last five years because of trying to survive financially and professionally. I started Athletic Greens to better supplement my nutritional needs living with Endometriosis and Adenomyosis, and so far I'm really enjoying it! I feel more energized and haven't been drinking coffee because I don't NEED it. I also started going to a pilates studio in order to ease my body back into activities that are more than walking. I'm going about 2x a week, but I'm already feeling stronger and looking forward to upping that in December here soon!

We also have mental health days at work, so I was able to utilize that to take extra time off to have as BOTH my sisters and my brother-in-law were able to come home for Thanksgiving this year! This has been the first time we've all been able to gather for a holiday, and it warmed my heart so much! My husband has some big projects coming up for his grad program, so while he was able to enjoy some family time with us all, he focused on those projects while some of us went down to St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge for a hike.

Absolutely loved this time with my family! It was the first time Mando got to be around the whole family as well. And of course, as you can tell, we sisters easily step into sync even if it's been far too long since the three of us have been in the same place at the same time!

Finally, I think I've found the grad program I want to switch to either in the spring or summer. I had a great call with an enrollment manager, so I just need to apply and then decide if I want to start right away or not. More on that later though!