Lately, I’ve been thinking about how much my life has changed in the past nine months.
This picture has nothing to do with anything except for the fact that that cat is STILL alive. Look how teeny we are together!
Since May 2011, I’ve graduated from college, started culinary school, met a completely new group of people, completely changed the way I ate, finished culinary school, spent nearly a month in California, had my fair share of relationship issues, frantically applied to jobs for two months, left New York City, moved home and started a new internship. And everything little in between. It’s small potatoes compared to what some people go through in a few months, but it’s definitely changed me.
To be honest, I haven’t blogged about most of that stuff because I wasn’t really sure how I even felt about it all. I admire people who wear their hearts on their blog, but that’s soooo not me. I used to get way more into things, but I kind of realized that I’m better at living my life than blogging it. So, never will I ever blog about my romantic relationships, family issues or stuff that makes me uncomfortable in general. Instead, you will get vaguely philosophical posts with lots of twenty-something life cliches and no real point.
You know that saying, “If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans?” Yeah. That was this year. If I could go back a year in time and tell myself everything that was going to go down, I probably would have laughed. And then cried. I have cried about it. It’s certainly taught my control freak a lesson, though I still find it hard to just let go sometimes. I’m a really nostalgic person, and I think it’s because looking back you can always see how the bad things lead to the good. The thing is though, that no matter what my problems have been, on the whole my life has always been pretty great- I have parents who are happy to support me in every way, I’ve been handed some incredible opportunities, the people I love are healthy, and I have a few really incredible friends I know I can always count on. There have been many instances over the past nine months where I can’t decide whether to freak out about something, or to smack myself in the head for thinking I deserve a perfect and easy life 24/7. Because though I’ll always be impatient about the situations in my life I wish I could change, from where I’m standing, as usual, it worked out in the end. Yup, as it always does. Although I do have my fingers crossed that the next nine months are a little calmer…
You have had quite the past nine months! Life never goes quite as we planned, does it. You are handling your changes in stride. We all only wish you the VERY best!
I can totally resonate with this right now, and I’m so glad you posted this. It’s good to get things out, even if it’s not going into total detail about things. It’s important to remember that life is a constant change, no matter what we schedule, who we schedule or when we schedule, and we ‘ve just gotta accept it and make the best of it
I think you’re doing a well enough job of that. Keep living girlfriend.
O Gabriela, I love reading these posts. It makes me feel normal. The same thing has been happening to me the past few months. I am sure that God has also laughed in my face about my plans, he is probably still laughing, as am I. Haha! I will pray that things get a little calmer for you. I know how it feels to be impatient and anxious to get your life in high gear, just remember, good things come to those who wait! Happy Sunday!
MANGIA!!!
THANK YOU for posting this!! I know you’re not getting super specific with what you’re going through, but I can still 100% relate. I’m studying abroad right now, and it’s just of the phase of the craziness that 2012 still has in store (I’m going on tour… twice-once to Canada, once to China). I’ve been in a funk where I’m like “LOOK AT ME, UNIVERSE, I’M HAVING ADVENTURES!! EVERYTHING IS SUPPOSED TO FALL INTO PLACE NOW…RIGHT??” It’s like I’m treating this experience as a step on a checklist to having my life all figured out. And let me tell you, it is just cracking God up. I’ve been reading your blog for a while now, but this is the first time I’ve commented because I just related sooooo much to this post, and it’s good to know that there are people out there who are going through similar things to me. Well, here’s to the journey!!
This post screams the some of the same things I am going through right now. It is so easy to sit back and feel sorry for ourselves when there is really probably a reason we have all of our experiences. I hope that if you are feeling anything like I do that the next 9 months will be a bit more calm for both of us!
My first year out of college was one of the most difficult years of my life. I really think that no one prepares you for how hard that year can be. I felt in control of my life and on top of things the last few years of college and graduation threw everything upside down. I felt constantly unsure and in doubt. I also have control freak tendencies and the uncertainty really drove me crazy. I just remember thinking that I couldn’t imagine things changing. The good news is that it does get better. I learned so much in that year and now in my second year out feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. So hang in there! It gets better, I promise
The months after college have been difficult and crazy for me too…I’m definitely hoping that life calms down this year!
That picture of you is too cute!
I’m with you, I won’t post personal stuff like that on my blog. I def. try not to wear my heart on my sleeve/blog.
Ha, love that first picture!! I completely understand being freaked about change. I’m gearing up to graduate and move on to law school and potentially have a pretty large move. And it freaks me the hell out, lol. But, I think we sort of have to trust that we end up where we’re supposed to be. There may be some unexpected detours (probably will be) but they happen for a reason. They make us stronger. Strengthen our character. And…I sound like a self-help book. lol Anyhoo, looks like you’ve handled all of your change quite well
I really like where you said, “…I can’t decide whether to freak out about something, or to smack myself in the head for thinking I deserve a perfect and easy life 24/7.”
You really put into words some feelings I have sometimes. Life isn’t perfect, why should I expect mine to be perfectly easy all the time?
Great post, it seems like things are heading towards calmer times. Good Luck!
Gabriela you have had SUCH a year and you’ve handled it wonderfully and in stride and here’s to hoping things are a bit smoother and calmer for you in 2012!
I think your plan of keeping certain things private is a good one. I have learned lessons over the years, too, with blogging and sharing and have learned that some things are better left not shared with the world and without a permanent cyber record of it…but hey, you live and you learn, right?
Oh I definitely get where you’re coming from - especially the part about God laughing at your plans. He laughs at me every day when I try to make plans on how things are going to go “my way”!
I have had those same feelings! When I graduated from undergrad, things just changed. It was hard to deal with, but at the same time kind of exciting. I’m about to go through round two since I graduate from grad school in May. It’s time to freak out and cry and laugh and stress all over again.
But, that’s life. And, that’s living.
Hope things are calmer for you this year!
Life is a roller coaster for sure girl, but just hang on and live it to the fullest, live with a open heart, positive mindset, and love!
My past 3 years have been crazy too, moving 3 times, but its life and I cherish every day! I am happy to say for once I know my family and I are set somewhere now and can really achieve some of the dreams we have wanted <3
life is full of ups and downs. we have experienced a few already, and more changes to come. big ones too. we are thinking of you!!
It’s amazing how when we let go of control, life just seems to naturally fall into place. Always thinking about you girl! Here is to a year filled with new prosperity and blessings! May this be the year that you find exactly what you are looking for.
You’ve had such a whirlwind of a year! It’s awesome that you found so many opportunities to pursue after college though - a lot of people aren’t so lucky (or dedicated enough!).
I can imagine how scary all the change must have been, but I gotta say, you’ve handled it amazingly!
I’ve been feeling like this quite often lately. The best advice I can give you is to just remember that everything will always end up exactly as it’s supposed to. There is never a “happy ending” - life is a constant work in progress! Appreciate the bad for shining a light on the good.
I was doing a Dave Farmar yoga podcast the other day where he talked about uncertainty… how you have to learn to live with it, because life is always uncertain. This really resonated with me, because since graduating from college last spring I’ve had such a hard time dealing with the fact that I never know what’s coming next anymore. I’m SUCH a planner so it’s really hard for me to just sit back and accept that I’m not going to be able to plan everything. I definitely think that aspect of the transition from school to real life is the hardest part, and I understand where you’re coming from.