Time for a clean slate. A fresh start. I’ve posted on this blog before, but never with a clear picture on where I wanted it to go, or what I really wanted to cover. I now have more clarity and focus. So, welcome! You’ve arrived at Blog Post Zero.
Back in 2016, my boyfriend (Paul) and I decided to take our little rescue dog (Pookie) on a trip across the country. From what we know of her past, she had spent most of her life in a cage before we rescued her. Her age then (2012) was estimated at around 6 years. We wanted to give her the opposite of what she’d always experienced: freedom. And love. That, and a thought of having an Instagram for her (@PortablePooks) with the hashtag #PooksDoesAmerica, was what ultimately birthed this Cross-Country Road Trip idea. (Of course, we also wanted to see the country ourselves).
We bought a 37’ RV, gave our jobs notice that we would be leaving, and began packing and getting ready to be nomads for an undetermined amount of time. As the planning was underway, it became clearer to me that not only would this be an incredible experience for Pookie, and the three of us together, but that it would also be a chance for me to get to know myself better. I have never been 100% clear on what I wanted to do with my life – what career I wanted to have, or why I am the way I am (more to come on that, I’m sure, in later posts). This was a chance to focus on myself and dig deep. As cliché as it sounds, I had planned to “Find Myself.”
At the start of the trip, I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to accomplish this. Part of me thought that just being on our own, in nature, without work to worry about would give me the space to get clarity on myself. I began to journal. I started sporadically. As time went on, and I began reading a book called Writing as A Way of Healing, I was writing at least a few times a week, but often more. I began asking myself questions and looking more deeply into all possible answers or reasons for my beliefs, behaviors, fears, and reservations. I looked at my confidence levels, blockages/barriers in my relationships, and underlying issues I was dealing with internally (some that I wasn’t even aware of until then). I really had the intention of getting to the bottom of Me. And during our last month of our trip (a total of 5 ½ months), I resolved to create space to do in-depth writing/discovering every single day. I called it Introspective December.
I must say that through this practice, I grew in ways that I didn’t realize I could or needed to. I worked on a myriad of things within myself. I couldn’t list them all if I tried! And once we returned home, I continued the process of introspection within myself. And the coolest thing about all of this is that I saw progress in many areas where previously I had struggled. I was speaking my truth more instead of staying quiet. I saw myself being more outgoing, and more confident. Every time I noticed some improvement, I’d give myself a little cheerleading moment, pat myself on the back and then journal about how proud I was of myself. It felt great – no – it feels great to know that the goal I set out to achieve is being accomplished!
Our trip had given me so much insight into myself, to others, and to how and why I react and respond in certain ways. It changed my perspective in so many ways. I am so grateful to both Paul and Pookie for not only having a fabulous and long vacation and making the trip possible in the first place, but also for allowing me the time, space, love and support I needed in order to fuel this evolution in myself.
This growth I experienced has contributed to the focus I now have for this blog. And it has truly contributed to the foundation of what this blog is based/built on. I am still “raising” myself. And I am looking forward to sharing more of my experiences, learned lessons, and musings from our 2017 trip and going forward. Thank you for stopping by. I invite you to come back and join me again on a journey towards growth!
(P.S. As we move forward, you can expect posts every other week, on Mondays.)
Raising LeBar 