Category: Andrea

One Door Closes and I Wait For Another To Open

posted 27th January 2010    Written by: Andrea    CATEGORY: All Posts, Andrea, Quarterlife Crisis, Season 1

“Two roads diverged in a wood,
and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
–Robert Frost

Writing for Stratejoy has been one of the best learning experiences of my life. Deep down I am a writer, it’s what I’ve always done…The past 6 months have helped me become an even better writer. This journey has helped me to find my inner voice, which for a writer, is sometimes difficult to do.

Stratejoy has helped me live a better life.

It has truly helped me to focus, sort out things in my head and most of all, find direction. Looking back, I have come to accept that life changes at a rapid pace. Things are so different now then they were six months ago and honestly, that is great!

Before, I would have developed massive anxiety about change and now, I welcome it…. I almost look forward to it. Change is all about one door closing and another presenting itself- be it an obvious door, a hidden door or some type of masked camouflage door. It all depends on how you look at it.

The biggest lesson I have learned through my Joy Plan and writing for Stratejoy, is to be true to yourself. No one can tell you what to do and no one else, but yourself, can make decisions. At the end of the day your life is really up to you.

I’ll be the first to admit though, this can be a huge struggle. I am still struggling with the concept, each and everyday, but it’s a good struggle. It’s a learning process, a Quarterlife Crisis process.

Everyday I remind myself that this is my life.

Think about that idea and for the next few days I invite you to listen to yourself. Take some time to really reflect, you are the only person who knows YOU best. We all have ups and downs, decisions to make, paths to choose. Go with your heart and don’t think about anyone else. The doors are open for you and you only.

As for me, when the next door or path presents itself, I know I’ll be ready. For now though, I’m still here listening, writing, reflecting and waiting.

I’m doing my best to live life for me.

On a final note, I did want to say thank you to everyone at Stratejoy, especially Molly, for inviting me to be part of such a wonderful group of gutsy girls. This is my last post for Stratejoy for now. I am so sad to know I won’t have the opportunity to write at least once a week about my chaotic, fun, crazy life! (No, that is not even a joke!)

I will be writing random updates here and there though, so no worries, I’m not gone forever. I may even make my own personal blog live!

I’d like to welcome and and wish a very good friend of mine, Kelly, good luck as part of Season 2 Stratejoy Bloggers. You will all love her, I am sure. We come from the same hometown and have very recently become friends… actually as a result of both of our Quarterlife Crisis adventures.

Check back to read about her QLC. She’s quite daring and has a special someone in Texas… just like me!

These past 6 months have been an adventure and it was amazing to share, especially with all of you.

Pax et Bonun
(Peace & Goodness)

Andrea

[Andrea, I loved having you as part of the team.  Your wit, you sparkle, your zest for life...  All obvious, all inspiring.  You've got a lot of big changes ahead of you and it was incredible to be part of the journey as you started to "figure things out for yourself".  Believe me when I say this- YOU have made a difference in our lives! Thank You.  Love, Molly]

photo credit : aunto

divider

Note to My 18-Year-Old Self

posted 20th January 2010    Written by: Andrea    CATEGORY: All Posts, Andrea, Season 1, What I've Learned

Looking back, I feel like I have been about 20 different versions of myself over the past 7 years. It’s hard to know whether or not I will become another 20 different version in the coming 7 years….

I hope not.

I would like to think that maybe, just maybe, I’m starting to figure out this thing called life and have less anxiety and fear. Someday, I hope to wake up and say “I’m not living a Quarter Life Crisis anymore!”

Um, that day is not going to be tomorrow or the next day, but, it’s a goal nonetheless.

I’ve learned a lot in the past 7 years, hell I have learned a lot about myself in the past 6 months! It’s made much of my past clear and gives me hope for the future.

If I had kept a journal of all the things I learned, I would be able to tell 18-year-old girls some of those amazing life lessons. I think though, that part of living 18-25 is making mistakes and learning from them on your own.

That’s why its called LIFE- right? Your time to learn through living and being.

However, if I were to look back on my 18-year-old self, I would give the following personal advice:

What would you write to your 18-year-old self?  What valuable lessons have you learned over the past 5 or so years of your life that you wish you could go back and tell yourself?

P.S.- My best friend I look exactly the same today and for that we are super proud!!

divider

Keep What Really Matters

posted 13th January 2010    Written by: Andrea    CATEGORY: All Posts, Andrea, Season 1

I was inspired by Kendra’s post in August about giving it all away and made it a goal to downsize my life before the turn of the new year.

It wasn’t easy, but I spent a weekend and went through my entire room. I was able to get rid of clothes, shoes, bags, belts, jewelry- so much that I hadn’t actually used. I was shocked at all the extra material ‘things’ I had in my possession. It made me realize that I don’t actually need, or want ‘things.’

I had 8 bags of unused ‘things’ just sitting around cluttering my life. It felt so good to get rid of them. I donated it all to Goodwill so I hope ‘things’ that were of no use to me, may be able to help someone else.

It made me see that things sort of tie you down. They hold you back and usually remind you of the past. I want to change my mentality where I hold on to things. It’s time to grow up, move on and get rid of the stuff.

I’ve always been envious of people who didn’t need things to keep them happy. I want to be one of those people.

I’m learning that people and places make me happy, memories make me happy- not things. One day I will only have a small pile of things. A pile so small that if I want to pack up and move or visit an exotic country I wouldn’t need many things. I won’t feel so attached to material possessions.

I won’t even miss them!

I have a simple strategy to figure out what can stay and what can go: every few weeks I look around at my ‘things’ and take a few of them I haven’t used in months and put them in a bag. Then, I put that bag in the trunk of my car (or someplace where I won’t see it everyday.) If a few more months go by and I still don’t realize these things are gone, they get donated to Goodwill or sold online or unloaded through this nifty network of people giving things away called Freecycle.

Try it sometime. It’s worked for me. Memories will always be there, you don’t need ‘things’ to remind you of the good times (or the bad!). Take some time this month and start your 2010 off right.

Downsize your life and keep what really matters.


divider