A year of change

State Farm asked me to write a post about the changes that have occurred in my life in the last year, and the team that helped see me through it all. This is a sponsored post (’cause State Farm wants to be the insurance team that helps see you through all your life changes – get it?), but all the gratefulness and appreciation in this post is mine. I have an amazing team in life.

You do a lot of growing in a year.

It’s getting to be that point where I’m coming to the year anniversary of basically all my big life milestones to date. So if I’m seeming super sappy or reminiscing a lot these next few months, bear with me.

Starting out as a new adult can be really scary. You go from dreaming and planning and ‘one day-ing’ about the future to actually living it. You leave the safety net of your parents and the routine of class schedules for something new. It could be a new place to live, a new job,  or a new city. (For me it was all three!) There are new bills and new responsibilities and so much new-ness. Some would say it’s overwhelming, and it can be at times, but it’s also pretty awesome. This is the time in your life to make changes, do things that scare you, and dream big. Your whole life was a build-up to this moment. What are you going to do with it?

I’m here to tell people that are getting ready to graduate college, to start their first ‘big girl’ job, to move across the country to pursue their dreams, to take the next step in their relationship that I’ve been there, and as scary as it all can be, it’s all so worth it. You’re ready for this. Not just because you’re awesome. (You are!) But because there have been people paving the way and helping you prepare for these moments for your entire life.

I’m in the better place I am today because of the help and guidance of others. The things I’ve done in the last year were possible because of them. And I want to take the time to acknowledge the roles some of them played:

Making my own path in life

This was me running to give Dr. Luke a huge while walking across the stage to graduate last May.

I know teachers make a difference in the lives of many students, but Dr. Luke really made a difference in mine. I had her as a professor for multiple classes each semester and she always inspired me to work harder, question more, and to dream big. She wanted a big life and had people all along the way telling her no. She pursued the life she wanted and showed them all. I love strong, confident, smart women, and that is exactly what she is. She taught me to never take no for an answer, and that your only obstacle is yourself. The critical thinking, presentation, and research skills she taught me are skills I utilize every day. Her classes helped prepare me for the real world. For that I am so incredibly grateful.

Leaving my comfort zone

This is the last time I was with both my Dad and Diane. It was the day before Josh and I flew to Nebraska to start our new life. We were at a froyo shop in State College, Pennsylvania. It makes my heart hurt a little to look at this picture. I miss them so much.

My parents have always been there for me and always supported me. But more importantly than that, they gave me the confidence to be my own person, and the ability to feel comfortable making decisions for myself. In the months leading up to moving I would sometimes break down to my Dad that I was really scared and really going to miss him. And he told me he was going to miss me too. But he never thought of Nebraska as anything other than an incredible adventure for me. He reassured me that Josh and I had everything we needed to create a happy life together. That I was going to have no problem finding a great job, making new friends, and settling into a state where I literally knew no one or had even been to before. They gave me a confidence and faith in myself that meant more to me than all their help finding me boxes and helping me pack and researching different areas in Omaha. (And those things meant a lot!) The self-assurance they instilled in me is something that will take me so far in life. That’s a gift I’m forever thankful for.

Becoming a better person

This is Josh and me at a friend’s wedding last June. It’s one of our last pictures as a non-married couple.

It’s great to dream big and face changes confidently. It’s even more important to be nice while doing that. As Maya Angelou says, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Part of being a new adult is figuring out what kind of person you want to be. How do you want to make people feel? 

I am not putting myself down when I say this: Josh is a better person than I am. It’s the honest truth. He is the most loving, kind, patient, understanding, considerate person I’ve ever met. I am fully confident in who I am (thanks Dad and Diane!) but I am blown away by how he always puts others ahead of himself. He inspires me every day to be a better person. He’s made me realize that more than anything I want to be a source of positivity and happiness for others. His gift to me was the gift of true love. It’s affected me, my life, and my relationships with others. I thank my lucky stars each and every day that I met him. (And I know he’s pretty happy to have met me too. ;p)

I’ve still got a lot of learning and growing to do, and a whole lot more life ahead of me. I’m just starting out, I don’t have it all figured out, and I probably never will. But thanks to the help of others, I feel like I’m on a pretty great path.

Questions of the Day: What is a recent milestone you accomplished in your life? Who helped you get through it?

Like a good neighbor State Farm is there.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by State Farm via Mode Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of State Farm.