This has been a rough couple of weeks, well to be honest a rough couple of years. Yesterday threw us another couple curve balls and it looks like it is going to be a while before things get back to normal. Whatever that is.
I had trouble sleeping last night with a million things going through my brain. You know the random thoughts that your brain decides in the middle of the night would be a good time to ponder. Going down a bunch of seemingly unrelated rabbit holes. It is easy to get swept into those holes and get buried in all the things that are troubling you. That is where I was headed.
It has happened before and probably to most of us. Sometimes trying to figure out how to dig out of the hole seems like a huge effort. The more you try to dig, the more holes seem to open. So there you are in the middle of the night more upset than before you went to bed.
This time though my brain went in a different direction.
I have an acquaintance that is going through something that I cannot imagine in my worst nightmare. Something that she had no control over but now has to deal with for a very very long time. She had such a fun, happy spark before. Always friendly and smiling. It is all gone now. She is a different person and for good reason. I hope she eventually gets that spark back but it will take a long time- mine did. And I still have to work at it every single day.
I realized last night that as much as I am dealing with now, someone has it worse. And some are dealing with tough things alone whether they choose to because they think no one would understand or because it feels like no one is there. Either way, that is a terrible way to feel. I know, I have been there.
So why am I putting this all out there on our Adventure Ladies page?
First, I want you to know that you are not alone. It is fun going to these adventures and posting all the smiling photos. But I wonder how many of us are actually hurting and NEED the distractions and connection to other women.
How many of you joined this group and have never participated because it seems too hard even though deep down you know it would do you good to get out and play? That is exactly why I started this group. We all need connection as women. And we need new experiences, laughing and more fun in our lives!
While I am bearing my soul here, I might as well tell you that I completely understand how awkward it feels to come to an adventure especially by yourself. I know it might seem strange to some of you, but I am actually very much an introvert.
In the beginning of our group, some of the adventures were super overwhelming to me and honestly sometimes still are. But after each and every one, I feel so lucky to be forming these amazing friendships and sharing these experiences.
I started this group in the beginning just to find a couple of people to go kayaking with and it has turned into so so so much more. The loss that I went through last summer could have brought me down for a very very long time. I stopped our adventures for a while to try to get myself together. That was not a good idea. My rabbit hole started getting bigger and bigger. After a short time, my husband insisted I start our group again even if I did not feel like it. Thank God.
This group helped me drag myself out of a dark place. The support I have had, and the true friendships mean the world to me.
And I want you all to feel that as well. This is so much more than parties, laughing and a good time. It is about community.
If you are finding it difficult to come to an adventure that you really want to join- TELL ME!!!!!!
If you worked up the courage to get a ticket and are shy or know it is difficult for you to engage with people- TELL ME!!!!!
We have so many amazingly supportive ladies in this group. So, grab a ticket and message me. Tell me you are nervous and I will pair your up with an adventure buddy. You are not alone!!!
Don’t sit on the sidelines anymore. You deserve to smile and have fun- never forget that.
Big hugs,
Rhonda