February, March and April were – and will continue to be – filled with new adventures, travel experience and growth. I can officially cross two more of my 2023 wishes as complete!
I’m still discovering a passion, but I’m making significant strides in healing. I wrote what I call “burn letters” early last month—which really helped me get my feelings out and heal. I wrote letters to friends who haven’t been there for me, Juan and people who have recently hurt me when I trusted them most.
Linley has been a big part of my healing progress. We’ve gone on some familiar trails, he’s been my buddy at work and we’re planning some new adventures together!
The cooking, reading, saying “no” and “yes” at the right times, setting boundaries, creating new adventures… it’s all happening and I’m setting the foundation so it continues to happen. I’m really excited about this—and it’s needed to happen for so long now.
And as far as community goes, I have the best coworkers-turned-friends in my current job. I LOVE IT HERE! There are certainly some difficult days with clients or our partners, but I never expected to “belong” as much as I currently do (I felt like I had to change to “fit in” elsewhere). Don, Giacomo, Baylen, Justin… are all becoming close friends, and Catherine and Veronica already are! KP and I even saw Don and his girlfriend Jennifer in NOLA over the weekend, where the Viagra Boys tee shirts from Thursday evening made an appearance!
Things are difficult and turbulent and hard and beautiful and hopeful and bittersweet, but I’m slowly seeing the clouds parting. I’m seeing who my truest friends are – and were this entire time – and I’m feeling like the best is yet to come. 💛
Media taken January through February 26, 2023.
Adventure in Spades 
Glad you are on a good track to happiness, Cate!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Marcus! 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loving this post! At the moment, I’m also trying to build new friendship with new friends after episodes of bad dramas with couple of friends that always trying to take me down… Reading this post of yours make me more motivated. And maybe it’s time for me to do those burn letters too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Aisyah, thank you so much for your comment and for reading my post! It’s extremely difficult when you have arguments with friends who aren’t “growing with you” so to speak, and leaning on new friendships is important during those times. I’m learning it’s not how long you’ve known someone, but the quality of that friendship to-date. Believe it or not, my mom actually encouraged me to burn letters a few years ago, and it was super cathartic and freeing—so I figured I’d do it again! I wish you the best in your healing and I know good things are coming your way! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome and it’s my pleasure. Reading this post of yours enlightened me in many ways. It’s true that quality friends indeed are what matters most as now we grow up into the next phase of adulthood.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I couldn’t agree more, Aisyah! Loneliness is hard, but I’m learning that it’s also a sign of progress. 😌
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it is. Slowly but surely. I hope both of us are able to make great progress in gaining new friendships. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish the same for both of us, too! 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
I lived my entire life in New York, and called the state my home. When I turned 40, I realized that home is not merely a geographic location, a mundane abode in which one dwells. I purchased a retired dairy farm in Vermont, and discovered that home is indeed a sanctuary where one’s heart is anchored, and the soul finds solace.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for sharing your story! I couldn’t agree more; home is where the soul is at peace. 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, exactly! Thank you, Cate! 🙂
LikeLike