Change is hard.

Change is hard.

Transitioning from what once was into something new can be exciting, overcoming, and filled with so much hope. Moving into a new way of life can be overflowing with so much joy and entertainment that you lose track of your own reality.

And yet, change is hard.

I once was asked by a supervisor about the concept of why change can be so life-altering for some people. My reply was simply a narration of what I witnessed every day in our office. Surrounded by some of the most experienced, educated, and well-rounded individuals I had ever seen in one office, it was clear that change can be detrimental if you, yourself are not equipped to handle change. Our office had just received a new timeclock. Who knew how earth-shattering this would be for some individuals. As the days went on, people would line up outside the copy room struggling to clock in or clock out stricken with anger and frustration of how different this new timeclock would make their lives from here on out.

These individuals were mainly therapists that could navigate the trenches of social work, child psychology, mental health illnesses, court appearances, and so much more; yet their ability to manage their own frustration with a new machine that would change the way they both started and ended their day was beside themselves. So, what happened in the end? I’ll tell you. These lovely workers… prevailed. After time, they adjusted. They regrouped, they asked for help, they learned by example and figured it out.

Change is hard. It’s the worst. Whether you are changing your job, your home address, your friends, your schedule, your eating habits, your church, your routine, your screen time, it is the worst. The list goes on and on. However, I am here to share with you that it will work out in the end. YOU WILL PREVAIL.

If you yourself are facing a change, a loss, a transition, newness in a relationship or a life circumstance - GIVE YOURSELF GRACE. Call it out and give it a name. Change is hard, and it takes time. In that time, love yourself and make time to process all the things unraveling (and being made new) in your life. So often change is associated with bad, but let’s reframe this and just say, change is hard. More times than not, hard things are for our betterment. Marriage is hard, and that helps create a lasting bond with someone we love, which means we only love them deeper. Work can be hard, but it also provides so many of us reassurance of our skills. Friendships and family relationships are hard, and these relationships provide us with safety to feel and be present with ourselves on both good and bad days. Taking care of your body is hard, and yet it allows you to stay healthy longer.

In 6 years of marriage, we have become professionals at embracing change. However each change brings about new curve balls. In the transition between moving from Ohio to Indiana we have had more bumps and bruises than we have ever experienced in a move, but we still remain standing. Thankfully God is steadfast and does not alter no matter what we are facing, Malachi 3:6 says, “I am the LORD, and I do not change.”

Recently, I posted a picture of my daughter and I explaining that even though my social media shows the happiness that we CHOOSE everyday, that does not mean life is not easy. Allow me to elaborate on this a bit. If you see someone carrying a load and it appears EASY, that does not mean the load is not HEAVY. Though someone may appear HAPPY that does not mean their life does not have HARDSHIPS. Give others grace and mercy, as we are all HUMAN.

Until next time, Jordi

This post was not supposed to be a family update, but I know a lot of people are very interested in that, so I have compiled a list of updates of all the ups and downs we have endured since we started our transition from being Buckeyes to Hoosiers! (Take these with a grain of salt and know that what may be small to you, may be very important for someone else to note!)

*Jordi/Luna and Curtis were separated due to work obligations. >> Curtis was able to spend quality time with friends.

*We paid rent in 2 places for an entire month (which very much stretched our spending money and Curtis’s comfort level financially). >> We were able to ensure both places were safe, clean, and well taken care of in the transition.

*We have spent less time together as a family in the last 3 months than we have, ever. >> We have spent more time with friends/family than we ever anticipated. Fellowship is so essential.

*Luna went through a sleep regression, teething, and a developmental leap while Jordi was solo parenting. >> Curtis got more sleep (LOL), and Jordi got more snuggles.

*Jordi got a speeding ticket while moving (that very much upset Curtis, but he may never say so). >> It was one of the lesser speeding tickets that Jordi has ever paid (LOL, again).

*Luna spilt shredded cheese all over the floor, while the broom was in Ohio. >> (nothing to say here, it was just a long day…)

*The family was in a car accident with a drunk driver in a parking lot. >> The family has created a better relationship with now friends also in the same accident. Everyone survived and the driver had insurance.

*Jordi left her mom-group that provided her more support and comradery than she ever knew possible. >> She has since developed a closer bond with a fellow sister-in-law that is also looking to prioritize fitness.

*Our entire routine has been uprooted. >> This gives us a chance to evaluate what is important for our family in this season.