I’ve been living more intuitively than ever before. For the most part, this is definitely attributable to abroad. But regardless, I’m loving it and am hoping I can keep it going.
Hello guys! I feel like it’s high time we have a Coffee + Chat because though I’ve been semi-good with study abroad updates, I feel like I haven’t really talked about what life is looking like now that I’m back.
It is now almost a month since I left Edinburgh, but in many ways it feels like so much longer. I miss it, of course, but I’m also really really happy to be home. Like happier than I even anticipated feeling when I was leaving, and I think a huge part of that is the practice I took with me from abroad of living more intuitively and more presently in my day-to-day.
I was a bit nervous as abroad was ending because I didn’t know if everything would change once I left. I didn’t want to lose that practice just because my surroundings had changed, or were maybe a bit less conducive to being flowy.
I mean, I have responsibilities now (what!). A 9 to 5 job, a budget, a weekly grocery list, the works. And yet, to be totally honest with you, none of it feels restrictive because for right now in my life, it feels completely and fully right.
I’ve been living more intuitively than EVER BEFORE. For the most part, this is definitely attributable to abroad. But regardless, I’m loving it and am hoping I can keep it going.
To put this in context, my job is one example. This summer, I have an internship at a pretty high-profile company that I NEVER expected to want to work in. And yet, something in me decided to try applying way back in the beginning of the year because for whatever reason, it felt good to try for something new and different.
I’d always avoided companies like this one because I was sure I wouldn’t like it, that it wasn’t for me, but I found myself wondering if I was shortchanging myself or unintentionally keeping myself smack-dab in the middle of my Comfort Zone.
So I applied, thinking that if I didn’t get in, it just wasn’t where I was meant to be. And if I did, then I’d try it out with zero expectations to love it or to do this forever. Just try it out for the summer.
And that is exactly what happened. I was pretty shocked when I got it to be honest, as were some of my friends, just because it’s SO DIFFERENT for me. But the funny thing is, once I started working there, it wasn’t that weird that I was there at all.
I am so grateful to have a corporate job that feels as un-corporate as can possibly be. A job where I get to be creative on a daily basis and actually use my skills and talents. Where I feel respected and heard and appreciated as a key member of a team. It feels really really good.
Again, does this mean a 9 to 5 corporate job is where I see myself forever or even after graduating college? Not necessarily.
But part of living intuitively means not really making those kinds of future plans or expectations and just going with what feels right and what flows to me right now.
Who knows what the rest of this summer will look like, what the rest of college will look like? For right now, I know I’m where I need to be, but past that, I guess we’ll see. The mystery is kind of half of the adventure. 😉
Intuitive Movement
So this was true throughout abroad, and I’m really happy it continues to be so, as I move into a different season of my life. Abroad, I really enjoyed going to the gym, but working out was NOT my priority. I felt I would much rather wander and explore than spend time cooped up in the gym. Especially in the last couple months of abroad, my workouts mostly consisted of walking wherever my feet would carry me, and it was pretty amazing.
That being said, I definitely love working out, and I did miss it, so I was excited to get back into it once the crazy season of travel came to a close. But I knew having a set workout schedule or routine just wasn’t my thing anymore.
These days, I am choosing my movement for the day specifically on that day, purely based off how I’m feeling. Sometimes I get home from work, and I am absolutely beat, so all that sounds good is a yoga session, or maybe just a short walk to clear my head. Other times, I get home full of energy, and HIIT sounds super fun. I play it by ear, and it’s been pretty wonderful. I love exercise, but it’s definitely not the highest priority for me at this point in my life. Work, sleep, friendships all routinely get placed above it, and I think that’s not only okay but very healthy for me.
And finally, I’ve definitely been way more spontaneous in my social life as well, choosing to decide what sounds fun the day of rather than planning something specific every time. Or texting a friend out of the blue and asking if they’re free to hang out that day.
And it’s led to some of the best memories and moments, and just feeling really really joyful and free. And I’ll take that over feeling “in control” any day.
What’s Coming Up
To go with the whole theme of this post, I can’t say I really KNOW what’s coming up. For the first time, I’m very okay with that. I know I want to keep blogging, though I’m not sure how that’s going to look throughout this summer and for the rest of college/beyond.
For now, it feels pretty good to be blogging once a week, and I have some posts in the works for you guys. I miss the podcast terribly, but to be honest with you, that is an extensive time commitment that I am just not sure I can dedicate right now. Instagram is fun, but I’m no longer putting that much pressure on myself to be posting every day because that’s when it stops being fun. Soooo moral of the story, I love this space and will absolutely keep doing it, as long as it all keeps being fun.
As I think you’ve gathered from this entire (admittedly slightly frivolous) post is I’m all about the fun right now. 🙂
So that’s where I am, and thank you so much for reading. I know this space has been quieter over the past few months, and so if you’re still here, I am so grateful for you and send you all my love. <3
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