Training camp. Sighhhhhhh. I made it out ALIVE!
The natural way of preparing oneself for this epic week where your whole world is radically turned upside down is to get your daily dose of blog stocking, attempting not to have an anxiety attack while doing so. If your anything like me you're probably reading this waiting for this homegirl(aka me)to spill the beans on the juicy training camp tidbits.
Whelp you should probably stop reading now. No really, stop!
Ok fine don't stop, I like the attention and I'll give you some pointers on how to lose your pride, expectations, hygiene and my personal favorite baggage in just 8 LONG days!
pride.
On no my walls are gonna break. That's exactly what I was thinking when I was sitting in on one of our many sessions about brokenness and abandonment. How grieving is the first step to achieving these oh so fun stages of training camp. Let me tell you, trying to stop fighting this fight with pride so people can't see your vulnerable side is a heavy chain to shake. Once that chain is lifted you are set free. So don't be afraid of your 'pride shaking abilities' because this is what stands in the way of you and your freedom. Imperfection is perfection. Ain't nobody got time fo that…so let go!
" When pride comes, disgrace comes; but with humble is wisdom." – Proverbs 11: 2
expectation.
Lets be honest for a hot second here. We're human right? We're all bound to have expectations regardless the situation. So I'll let you in on mine and how I was completely shut down in the expectations department.
Clean up on isle 5:
Did I expect to be completely rocked by the Holy Spirit in a way I've never before? NO. Did I expect my personal space to be utterly shattered by my squad? Absolutely not. Did I expect to feel inadequate when it came to survival skills? Duh. But what I can say without a doubt in my mind that I was taken aback by most was the unity, love and support my Squad has shown this past week at training camp. That I did not expect. Yes, I read blogs about the food and the bus and how physically exhausting it would be, but never did I expect such an emotional/ spiritual charge that the physical didn't matter. So try not to waste your time blog stocking because regardless of what you find you're still gonna be shocked!
hygiene.
Ladies and metrosexual gentleman…sit down.Breath.Inhale.Exhale. You got this. At least this is what I was telling myself as I pulled up to a city of tents!
You would be AMAZED at how great you smell after three whole days of not showering, while doing physical activity. Ladies, carry your products in your day pack, whatever you do! Yes, four showers for 200+ women is a challenge and can get a bit tense while waiting in line, but it's nothing a lady of your beauty and grace cannot handle.
Ps. You will not be showering alone. Your friend has eight very long legs. Tyra would be jealous of their stride.;). Work it.
baggage.
Hold it right there young lady. Don't you dare put that extra pair of shoes in that pack! Seriously. You will literally hate yourself for it.
Please for the love of all that is holy, do not, I repeat do not OVERPACK!! You will be repacking 24/7 and carrying your life that you insisted on having on your back more than you'll be comfortable with!! Take it from me, I'm in fashion and I may have worn four outfits the ENTIRE time. Go ROUGE. Be BOLD. Be LITE. Accessorize.
Happy Training Camp, may the odds be ever in your favor.
