Friday Letter 02: What I've Learned About Change (So Far)
Why curiosity (not guilt) is my new go-to for handling transition.
Hey Lovely.
This week, I went back-to-school shopping for three kids—not four or five, like I used to.
Honestly? Part of me is excited—I mean, homeschooling three kids (who are also taking co-op classes several days a week) is easier than homeschooling all the kids, all the things. Right?
It also means that I’ve graduated two of my kids, and that’s a big accomplishment. I’m really proud of them (and myself).
→ But change is uncomfortable. Even when you’re secretly exhaling with relief.
Even when you’re really proud of yourself for making it this far.
More Changes
While you’re reading this, I’m wrapping up my fourth week training as a hospice chaplain. That means that, for the first time since I became a mom in 2003, I’m working outside the home several days a week.
Oh, and my husband started a new job, too—he’s a chaplain as well, and now works for two different hospice providers.
There’s not a lot that hasn’t shifted at least a bit for our family in the last few months.
Some seasons bring nothing but dead ends. Then suddenly—everything changes at once. In hindsight, it makes sense. God had been preparing you all along. You just couldn’t see it yet.
→ Have you ever felt that way, too?
My Strategy for Adapting
I’m a creature of habit. I love routines and find them comforting and safe.
I don’t naturally adapt well to change, which means I’ve had to learn a few new skills in order to thrive in life (because change is the only constant, right?).
My strategy is ridiculously simple, but it took me a long time (four decades) to figure it out:
→ I get curious.
For example, instead of taking on stress and guilt, I asked myself, How can I simplify food prep and daily chores so that we still have meals and the house doesn’t fall apart?
I found this cookbook by mom entrepreneur, Emily Ley, and tweaked my younger boys’ chores in our Greenlight app. Small tweaks, big relief.
Thankfully, my husband and kids are more adaptable than I am. We’re figuring out our new normal together.
→ Do you naturally default to curiosity? Or a guilt-and-stress spiral?
Honestly, I’m such a black-and-white thinker that I might have gone another four decades without figuring this one out. I owe Susie Moore, the lovely lady behind Self-Coaching Society, for the mental breakthrough (and avoiding future mental breakdowns).
(Love you, Susie!)
Don’t Forget: This Month’s Freebie
→ Don’t forget to grab this month’s freebie: 31 Mindful Journaling prompts.
One reflective prompt for each day of the month. xo
I hope these prompts inspire awareness and curiosity… and be sure to check out the links in this newsletter if you find yourself in need of any tools to get through your own seasons of change
Leave a comment any time you have a thought or question to share. ↓
With grace,
Kristy 💐
→ This Week’s Links