Embracing Change: My Recent Life Update and Lessons Learned

In early May, I ended my previous part-time position and started a new full-time job. My schedule is Monday-Friday and 8 am - 5 pm. With fewer than 20 employees, the company treats us to lunch every Friday.

Within the first week of beginning the job, my mom and older sister also came into town for a week's visit. My mom stayed at my younger sister's and brother-in-law's house, and my older sister stayed with me at the apartment. What made their visit even more special is that my sisters and I were able to spend Mother's Day with our mom all together.

Their visit went by quickly and also seemed to last forever. Since I was starting a new job, I wasn't able to take any days off. I would wake up early to work out before heading to work. After work, we would all hang out together. The weekends were jam-packed with activities all day.

On Saturday, May 10th, it was my younger sister's 20th high school reunion. This coincided with our hometown having its yearly summer festival. The last time I was in my hometown was 20 years ago when my younger sister graduated. It was amazing to see how very little had seemed to change. It also reinforced my gratitude for having left the small town.

I've been at my new job for a little over two months and have recently started a new position within the company. I'm learning how to use a forklift, which is a skill I never thought I would eventually have. I'm still working in a warehouse, which I really don't mind. Especially since I am able to wear a t-shirt, shorts, and a baseball cap every day.

About a week after starting with this company, I started the habit of using the last ten minutes of my lunch to go on a walk. It is a big warehouse, so I usually walk up and down the sidewalks. The warehouse is next to some wooded areas, so I usually see geckos on my walk, but I have also seen a dead snake, and one day I saw a deer.

Since the new job is Monday-Friday, my volunteer time at the animal shelter has been relegated to only the weekends. Thankfully, as a volunteer, I can go anytime between 9 am - 5 pm. I only need three hours a month, and so far I have been able to achieve that.

The months of May and June seemed to have flown by for me. I ended a part-time job, started a new full-time one, and after two months, started a new role at the new job. Throughout the entire process, I've learned that my exercise routine and the close connections to my family have saved me from unnecessary stress. My family tells me I can do this, and after a workout, I usually believe I can.