I’ll be stateside in 2 weeks! What?!?
I’ll be spending around a month in Connecticut before coming home. But after that, it’s going to be quite the adventure!
I’ve been putting off writing a re-entry blog because I just flat out don’t know what to say. I’ve read a bunch of blogs from past racers as well as my own squad mates about what re-entry looks like to them.
They post things that were hard for them about being back in the states, like community or shopping or their sense of purpose. They also post things that they love and have missed, like family, friends, and catching up on everyone’s year.
A lot of people post lists of do’s and dont’s based on how they feel. Lists to give an idea to friends and family of what to expect and how to go about talking and hanging out with them.
These are all great ideas! I’ve tried fitting myself into these blogs and these lists. I’ve tried to figure out how I’m feeling, figure out what I’m going to need when I get home, and essentially come up with my own list for these things.
But I’ve failed.
What it comes down to for me is that I have absolutely no idea what coming home is going to look like.
I don’t know how much time I’m going to need to re adjust. I don’t know if I’ll be overwhelmed by people or if I’ll want to hang out with as many people as possible as quickly as possible. I don’t know if I’m going to start work right away or take some time to rest.
I’ve never done this, so I just don’t know.
Here are a few things that I do know.
I know that I’ve missed you. I’ve missed out on an entire year of your life! I want to hear everything. So ask me to hang out! Ask me to coffee, dinner, or even just a walk in the Bosque. If I’m feeling overwhelmed, I’ll let you know and we can plan a later date. Or I may not be the one asking you to hang out, which doesn’t mean I don’t care. I DO want to see you! I might just be hiding under a rock to gain my sanity. So please ask!!
I know that a lot has happened this year. A LOT! So ask all the questions! But be specific. Don’t use generalized questions like, “how was your trip?” or “what did you do?” I did a lot this year and it’s just too much to sum up into one statement. Every month was so unique and different from the last. So please understand this and just ask me for details.
I know that I’m not coming home the same person that I left. I’ve grown a lot in many different ways. Have grace with me. I’ve gotten to know myself in a deeper way, but I haven’t gotten to experience what that looks like outside of the race. So please have patience with things I say, how I act, etc. I’m getting to know the new me just as much as you are. And to be honest, I’m a little nervous about it.
So yeah. Those are just a few things to help you help me make re-entry just a little easier.
Like I said, I have no idea what this looks like.
But I’m excited to find out. I’m excited to start this next part of life. And I’m excited to have you walking alongside me through it.
Again, please have grace and patience with me. Its going to be a brand new experience. I feel a bit blind going into it. So hey! Let’s figure this thing out together 🙂
I cannot wait to see you!
