It has been a HOT minute since I've written on this blog, which is odd considering writing is typically my life line.
When I reflect on why I haven't spent much time writing on here, it's because I realize I've been a bit busy living and enjoying life...something I wasn't so good at in past years.
If you've stuck around this blog for awhile, here's a look at what my year- end post for 2016 was like (click here). I always enjoying seeing what past Victoria has to say, because current Victoria can tell her that she was so wrong.
If 2016 was about saying "yes" to new challenges and experiences, then 2017 was even more so a year of "yes!" I said in last year's blog post that my word for 2017 would be "confidence," and initially I thought "Well that didn't go so well," but in truth, I have become more confident in who I am as a person.
I would say that 2017 has shown me that God's plan is always, always, always infinitely better than anything I could come up with on my own.
Let's flashback to 17-year-old Victoria ringing in 2010 with best friends and what her plan was...
- Graduate high school with a first love
- Go to a small liberal arts college/university
- Marry her high school sweetheart
- Have said marriage at 22
- Become a psychologist
- Have her first baby at 25
The only thing on that list that went according to "plan" was the first item, and that unraveled in its own hot mess three years later. Instead of a small liberal arts school, I went to the University of Georgia (the finest institution in all the land I might add), broke up with that high school sweetheart, became a middle school teacher, was single at 22, and is unmarried at 25. I always felt this insane pressure to stick to the plan, and God threw every bit of it out the window and made it into something that glorified Him. Every set back, every breakdown, every "oh crap, now what?" moment was met with His goodness and His faithfulness and His "I have something better in mind." And I'm slowly learning to be OK with that.
In my years following college, also known as "adulting," I've realized that planning is slightly futile. I really do think God hears our plans and let's out a good chuckle.
Now when people ask me about plans, I channel my inner Phoebe Buffay and I respond with "I don't even have a 'pl'," much less a plan. Sure, I have a mental picture of how I'd like things to go, but I really have no idea, and I'm *slowly* learning to be OK with that.
Currently I'm in a state of transition. I'm about to move out of the only place I've ever lived in other than my mom's house and UGA Housing- cue all the feels. I'm moving in with some friends until I am established enough to get a place of my own. A blind date back in March turned in to something more (I won't get too cheesy or Brian might kill me ; ]). Teaching middle school is always insane.
Change has always been a trigger, and right now change is abundant. Rather than freak out, I'm trying to ride the waves and find the bless in the mess. Because isn't that what life is about? Things are always messy, but finding the little blessings is what makes it all worth it.
It took 3 years post-grad to have an established community, and I'm blessed to work with my best friends and "my people" out here. I still had an annual girls trip to Charleston with those 3 ladies I rang in 2010 with.
2017 brought a new love, strong friendships, a trip to Charleston, Oktoberfest, a day trip to Chattanooga, a 36 hour trip to Disney World, a trip to Nashville, new students, free concerts, an SEC Championship (I would be remiss not to mention that), and endless laughs.
I know that every new stage of life will bring its own challenges, but I pray I always remember to find the bless in the mess.
Smile, God loves you!
