I know it’s been awhile since I posted. I spent some time struggling with some mental health challenges, largely related to turning 50 (kicking and screaming) and because I was back in the Denver area, which has some complicated feelings around it.
So I’ve spent the last couple of months trying to regain my reason why. Trying to remind myself more of my accomplishments than my failures. Trying to understand what serves me and what I need to leave behind. I’m not there yet. I will probably always be a work in progress, but shouldn’t we all be? The important thing is I’m taking the right steps and making progress.
At some point soon I hope to get back to weekly posting on the amazing things I’m doing. In the meantime, here are some highlights of my September.
In case I haven’t mentioned it, I had no desire to turn 50. I was especially freaking out about turning 50 alone. Fortunately 3 of my close friends didn’t allow me to do this by joining me on a trip to Hawaii. Here are some highlights:
Our AirBnB on Maui was on a cover where a bunch of sea turtles lived. We saw at least 5 sea turtles everyday we were there.
I reconnected with a friend from High School
I drank a lot of Mai Tais
I got to see a volcano erupt
I spent time with great friends taking silly pictures.
I visited a black sand beach.
So many waterfalls.
After my friends went back to the US, I spent a few days in American Samoa exploring America’s least visited national park. This place was probably the most beautiful place I’ve ever been.
Then I went back to Hawaii, spending a few days on Oahu, living like a tourist.
Remember those Mai Tais? I took a class on how to make them.
Sunset cruise on Oahu
Finally, I was able to spend several days with my friends on Long Island. This was the first time I had spent multiple days with this group of friends in a couple of years and I am incredibly grateful for the days spent laughing and catching up.
The impending Nor’easter gave us a great sunset.
My brother, Ricky, and I are always up to shenanigans.
Look at this good-looking group of people.
So now I’m back in Colorado. I’m taking some big steps to address my mental health challenges. I don’t know what comes next, other than I plan to start heading south to avoid freezing weather so I don’t have to winterize my van. At times, I know I’ve regained my why, but at other times I’m not as sure. The important thing is I’m making progress.
