Happy Sunday! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Mine was actually pretty quiet for a change, and consisted of running along the lakefront, enjoying some brunch in the sunshine, our eighth round of Dinner Club, and general cleaning and organizing around the house. It was most definitely the calm before the storm of springtime bridal showers, baby showers, bachelorette parties, birthdays and the usual chaos:)
Since the weekend was so quiet (and I had 8 miles to run on Saturday AM - lots of quiet time there!) - there were plenty of opportunities to reflect on a few things that have been troubling me lately. When I think about who I was seven years ago and who I am today, I've certainly evolved quite a bit. Heck, we all have, I'm sure. What's troubling about that is certain people have accepted who I have become and our relationships have adjusted accordingly, while others seem to be less understanding of this new person and the distance has grown. Some people don't understand why I can no longer stay out until 4 a.m., while others cannot seem to understand why I choose to live where I do. Sometimes I feel as if I need to constantly explain to others why I am who I am - why I need to go home and get some sleep. Why I don't want to have kids just yet. Why I would rather invest in myself and travel to Europe than buy a house. I have chosen a particular path, and sometimes I just want to say, "You need to accept my path like I have accepted yours. IT'S OKAY TO BE DIFFERENT!" I guess the moral of the story is that people change, and as a result, friendships change. But instead of fearing this change, I am going to embrace it. I refuse to explain why I am who I am anymore. But please, by all means, stick around if you'd like to learn more:)
I'm curious - does any of this make sense??? Have you grown apart from certain friends? How have you dealt with similar situations?
On a brighter note, I am happy to announce the winners of my little giveaway. First of all, I want to thank everyone who entered. Reading about all of your little blessings truly made my day, and I appreciate all of your support. Remember, there are TWO winners, so without further adieu, the random number generator (sorry, I don't know how to do a screen shot) selected:
RN Mama is the winner of the philosophy "Amazing Grace" gift set
RN Mama said...Your weekend looks fabulous! Don't you just love Lake Michigan?
A (not so little) blessing in my life is my daughter's. They love me unconditionally and make me smile everyday!
April 5, 2010 8:38 PM
AND
Salt is the winner of the Starbucks gift card
Salt said...Lake Michigan is FABULOUS! I've only seen it once, but I was shocked to find out that you can't see the other side. So...just consider it like the ocean. :)
I love that outfit too! I need to go shopping.
Now on to your giveaway. Girl, this giveaway is AWESOME and I love all these things too. I spent the weekend with my blessings...we had our nephew and my little brothers over on Saturday night for a boys night in complete with scary movies and yummy Chinese food, and then on Sunday I dyed Easter eggs with my 4 year old nephew who told me that I am an amazing artist because I drew cat faces on the eggs for him. He warms my heart. :)
April 5, 2010 10:15 AM
YEAH! Congrats to the winners - and be sure to check out their blogs!!! Ladies, please e-mail me your contact info: perfectcompilationtape at gmail dot com
That all just makes way too much sense. its hard when people are stuck in one time and do not understand that you have moved on, grown, matured, have different things in your life or different aspirations... I guess all that can be done is to not dwell on it. Its their issue they do not want to accept it, not yours so dont let it affect your life worrying about it. do what makes you happy!
ReplyDeleteim totally about to go into this kind of change. my husband and i are leaving downtown where weve been for 4-5 years (walked to work, went out ALL the time etc etc) to move to a house about 20 min away.
ReplyDeleteim curious to see how it will affect my friendship with those friends that will still be downtown doing the same thing. playing in my new garden on a saturday afternoon is sounding like way more fun than another afternoon at the bar - are they going to get that? my beer money is now getting set aside for my furniture wishlist etc etc.
i dont know, it will be interesting.
On the flipside ive been on the other side - when the friend has a baby or whatever and you kind of know that their life is changing and your relationship wont be the same. i think the important friends you just let your relationship evolve and change with it - finding new ways to keep in touch etc.
ramble ramble ramble :)
I have totally had the same thing happen over the past few years. My friendships totally shifted because my life altered lots. That's not so awful - it needed to, but change was inevitable in my relationships! Way to go on staying true to you!
ReplyDeleteWoohoo! Yahoo! I'm so freakin' excited! Thank you:) I'm sorry, I didn't even read the rest of the post, I think that makes me a bad person.
ReplyDeleteFirstly congrats to the giveaway winners!
ReplyDeleteI think change affects everyone differently and good on you for accepting the changes not only within yourself but also other people. I have lost a few friends due to changes within themselves or myself but i find that at the end of the day the friends that accept you for you are the ones who truelly matter anyway.
Firstly congrats to the giveaway winners!
ReplyDeleteI think change affects everyone differently and good on you for accepting the changes not only within yourself but also other people. I have lost a few friends due to changes within themselves or myself but i find that at the end of the day the friends that accept you for you are the ones who truelly matter anyway.
Oh Meghan, you have no idea how much this makes sense to me!
ReplyDeleteI actually have gone through a total friend upheaval in the last few years. In some respects I hate it because sometimes I miss the friends I used to have. However, I try to tell myself that if they can't accept me for the person I am NOW then we obviously weren't meant to stay friends. It's a hard growing up lesson but I think it happens to all of us in one way or another.
i hear you! yesterday - i had this exact conversation about choices and changes and meeting people wherever they are at in life. just be you and keep investing in yourself m!
ReplyDeleteUrgh all that running horrifies me, lol!!
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah it does make sense! I guess you can tell who your true friends are by who sticks by you in the longrun! I had tonnes of friends in college, but when I finished and the distance and lack of same classes/clubs meant more effort had to be put in, many just drifted, but the ones that stuck around are amazing!
It may hurt to grow apart from friends who once knew you well, but it only makes sense that as you change, your friendships will change too. Refuse to be friends with somebody who can't love you for exactly who you are becoming. Those sorts of friends can only hold you back.
ReplyDeleteperfect sense.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the winners!
i definitely know what you're talking about. i think one of my greatest fears in life is never being really known or understood, and sometimes i just indulge the idea that knowing myself will be enough. your words ring completely true for me!
ReplyDeleteps. say hello to chicago for me today :)
I can relate completely. It's healthy to change... find out who you are, and act accordingly. If no one else gets it, so be it. It's only important that you do!
ReplyDeleteI understand what your talking about. Friends go down different paths, make other friends and then you slowly start drifting apart. Just don't change who you are for someone else. Your quiet Sunday sounded nice and relaxing.
ReplyDeleteOOO if you do put together a orange and blue outfit you MUST post it! haha and link it to me cause I would love to see it. I reckon I will wear one today too, I've been thinking one over in my head all yesterday.
AHHHH!! No way no way no way no way!!! I think I might be as much of a Starbucks addict as you are!!! OMG I'm so excited. I'm emailing you right away!
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting too that you have been reflecting on friendships recently. I haven't talked about it on my blog yet, and I'm not sure if I will, but I recently ended a longtime friendship because of the whole drifting apart thing. It's not an easy thing, but it's a sad reality of what happens when people grow up. Everything will work out for the best for you. I know it will! xo
I totally feel like this. For me its looking back on my friends from high school and the relationships we had. Its strange, as complicated as high school was, its made to look alot simpler by real life terms.
ReplyDeleteI need a change right now, Im snowed under. Im just not sure what that change will be.
Thanks for entering my competition honey. I love that you used the term "hubstar!" haha its brilliant. x
change is my life! it started early and just kept on coming until it flatlined in recent years. i'm happy with where i'm at and with who i've chosen to taken that path with.
ReplyDeletebasically changes is alright in my book, as long as it's for the better.
8 miles?? Ahhhh, you're a machine lady!
ReplyDeletehey hey ... you won a mail pack!!! Send me a postal address and I will pop it in the mail for you ... my email is mantahay@yahoo.com.au
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
and p.s....You have every right to go down the path that makes you happy!
ReplyDeleteI really really needed this post today, thank you! I am so tired of some of my friends having particular expectations and me having to explain my life patterns too. Sooo annoying and you are so right. We don't have to explain who we are. I am like you, I don't like staying out that late anymore. I like staying in most of the time, hanging out with my boyfriend, and doing laid back activities. Thank you for your encouragement, much needed today! XO!
ReplyDeleteI see exactly what you mean by some people not understanding the road that you've chosen to take. Not wanting to have kids yet... or maybe never. Liking big city life and travel.
ReplyDeleteFollow your heart my dear. Just like I did when I decided, against all odds, to move to Paris and make a life here. It wasn't that easy at the beginning but now I really feel planted here. And wouldn't want to leave.
Keep savoring those yummy cupcakes and prancing in pretty pink heals. From what I read, you seem such a sweet and creative, so a truly interesting person!
My dear friend, first thank you for your sweet visit and compliments. Second about your last post. People change in life. When i was in my 20 i did not like kids. LOL or pets. I traveled a lot. You are ok. One day, i decided that i wanted to know how it was to be pregnant... you will love something that you never loved before. I don't see my friends, just once in a while. I am too busy. now the only thing that keep me up at night are little kids and sickness. LOL
ReplyDeleteAbout cupcake. I have a great recipe but i need to make it and post it. Then i will get back to you :)
Thank you for your sweet comment and visit.
Have a great day.
Gros bisous
Frenchy
It totally makes sense. I've definitely had my friendships change and I've had some completely end. It is very difficult for people to accept choices of their friends when those choices are so foreign to them. But you have a great attitude. You have to do what makes you happy and what works for your life. If people don't understand, well, that's their problem. They'll get it eventually. I recently reconnected with a friend who had drifted away. She finally gets where I'm coming from and we are now able to have a much better relationship.
ReplyDelete