Happiness Is Not The Destination

Four months ago, I packed up all of my belongings, again, and finally drove down to South Carolina from Cleveland. (At this point, I had been officially without a home for 2 weeks) 

I remember being in the car, by myself for the first time. Bandit and Minerva were already down in South Carolina, so I had no co pilots this trip. This was the first time I would ever drive that far, completely by myself. I listened to audiobooks, sang at the top of my lungs, to songs I have heard 100 times over, and reflected on my 18 years in Ohio. I don't think I had fully processed the fact that  I would be leaving all those memories in my rear view until I made my journey south to start new memories.  

In the last four months since I have been down here, I moved into my own apartment, started a new job, learned how to navigate my way around, and have already made friends that will eventually turn to family. Every day, I wake up and think to myself what a life I have created in these past few months and I cannot wait to continue to find out what Myrtle Beach has to offer. 

Bandit and I make it to the beach regularly. A friend told me that I should make it a habit to go once a week, even if it's just to walk the beach. So, that's what we've done. Gone at least once almost every week. I lived through my first hurricane. I've eaten my weight and more in sea food. I welcomed a new group of students into my life and we are walking through this new curriculum together. I celebrated my 29th birthday with an ocean view and new friends. I've started working on my health and fitness, and have stuck to the past four months, making it a lifestyle not just some fad diet. 

So much has been accomplished in these past four months, that I just didn't have the energy to pursue while I was in Ohio. I was worn out. I was tired. I hated myself most days. I ate and drank my feelings. I put things on the back burner. The person I am becoming is my favorite person, and I hope that she will continue to grow during this crazy season of life.

 If there's one thing I have learned, it's happiness isn't a destination, it's a mindset and once you realize that, each day is a brand new day to make life happen and to be happy about it.