Faith In Humanity Restored!

In early November, I made the very scary decision to move to Colorado. I got a job offer I couldn't refuse from a shop that sought ME out! Yes, they heard of me (SHIT) and WANTED me to work for them....How could I say no?! It was a fresh start in a new state and the opportunity to push the boundaries of my comfort zone.

I quietly started telling friends and family who were all incredibly supportive. From my brother who has yet to tell me how much he'll miss me (YOU BETTER) and did nothing but end every text with an exclamation point in excitement, to multiple friends offering to drive my scared ass across the country. Being a single gal with a dog, no partner and strained relationships with my parents, my friends are my family. (That made leaving a bitch, BTW.)

There have been dark moments in all of this. Moments of complete panic and self doubt and "WHAT THE F--K AM I THINKING?!" moments. There still are....And when I was unexpectedly let go at the end of November from a job I loved with my everything without the chance to say goodbye to my staff, my customers and my reps, I was in a dark, dark place. It wasn't just a smack in the face, but a sobering reality that there was absolutely no turning back.

I say it over and over again that social media is a pain in the ass. I'm admittedly on it way too much, but I can't help myself. I like being connected to people. Once the announcement that I was moving was made on Facebook, my world exploded with sweet messages of love and support from people I haven't seen in YEARS.

I've often felt whiny and unappreciative of this awesome opportunity and every single time I've made a status or posted a picture, the amount of support and encouragement has been overwhelming. If you're reading this, it's most likely because you saw the Facebook status. And if you saw the Facebook status, then you are one of the hundreds of people who have kept me going through this crazy beautiful and scary transition in my life. You inspire me to do better....to keep moving forward and to believe in myself. Thank you doesn't quite cut it, but I am forever grateful for the love and the connection.

See....social media isn't always so bad after all, y'all. Now excuse me while I go take more pictures of snow!

Comments

Daughter.

When you're estranged from not one, but basically both parents, the heaviness of that can still be palpable. Most days, most weeks, and months even, it's fine. I've learned to navigate questions like, "Where do your parents live?" or the weird feeling in my gut when someone says, "Oh, my mom sent me this from this favorite place of mine." I've learned how to adjust to Mother's and Father's Days by staying off of social media and doing something that makes me happy like getting out into nature. Some of these times are better than others. Here's the thing: whether or not the choice to go no contact with the two people who were supposed to show you all the basis of love was good or not, is incredibly difficult. Because social media is what it is, yesterday was apparently "International Daughters Day". It didn't bother me so much yesterday, but this morning wasn't off to a great start and for some reason, I felt agitated. I ...

Bikes!

Twenty years ago this month, I moved to Georgia and got a job at a local bike shop. My long-term boyfriend from my early twenties was an avid cyclist and bike mechanic. He had gotten a job wrenching at a local shop, Bicycles Unlimited. I was 19 and looking for a retail job since, at that point, it was all I knew. The shop was owned by a family and they were welcoming to this young girl working there with ZERO experience. I started on the sales floor and moved on to inventory management. It was my first foray into the inner workings of small businesses. More importantly, this was my introduction to the bicycle industry which has been one of the most meaningful relationships I've ever had. I'd say 75% of the people I know in my life can be credited to a bicycle. Whether it be through rides, shops, or sponsors... I have met some of the most inspiring and influential people because of a BIKE. Some of the most fulfilling experiences I've had have been on a bike or because of bi...

Boundaries.

When you hear the word “boundary”, what do you think of? For so long, the word "boundary" meant "no" to me. No to bad relationships. No to things that didn't fulfill me. That was it. I've seemingly always been able to set boundaries. I used to say it was easy. I've made the hard decision to go no contact with not one, but both parents (and one step-parent) in the last 20 years. I walked away from a marriage mid-trying-to-have-a-baby because I just knew I couldn't be tied to this person forever. I've recently realized that even though I've been setting some hard boundaries since my early twenties, it's actually never come easy. I know what you're probably thinking, "Well, no. Setting boundaries isn't easy for anyone." And I get that. However, I'm one of those super-feeling types of people. Also known as a (diagnosed) generalized anxiety-ridden people pleaser who is both prickly as a pear but super loving stemming ...

A Lovely Life

Looking For Something?