Change in life is inevitable.
It's not a matter of IF things will change, it's a matter of WHEN they will change and it's also a matter of what you DO with those changes that is almost as important as the changes themselves.
Some would even argue what you do with those changes, regardless of if they're good or bad, is more important.
The Breakup
Nearly two months ago my heart was completely shattered along with the future life that I had been building up in my head for the last 3 1/2 years. My boyfriend, now my ex-boyfriend, abruptly ended it. After 3 1/2 years of getting to know each other, spending time together, ultimately dating and being in a long term relationship it just as quickly was over.
Talk about our future was getting more and more real; we were looking into the possibility of buying a house together or at the very least looking for an apartment. Talk about potentially having kids in a few years was going from pure fantasy to a potential this-could-really-happen. Even the topic of marriage and long engagements were being thrown around.
All of that history and future potential gone within a single decision.
Regardless of how the breakup went, he's still a good man in my eyes, a part of me will always love him for showing me how to be treated by a man, and I hope he finds what he's looking for since he seems a little bit lost right now.
This playground has a sign; "Designed for kids age 3 to 12." Challenge accepted. #walkingphotochallenge
A photo posted by Kayla Potega (@adaptablekay) on
Nov 11, 2016 at 9:35am PST
The Realization(s)
The funny thing about breakups is they change you for better or worse (sometimes even both) and I found that to be extremely true after mine. It may be cliche but I've learned a lot about myself in this past month...
I quickly realized that while people can help, ultimately I'm the only one who can be in charge of my own health and well being so I've been sticking to eating healthy and exercising daily when possible. I even issued myself a walking photo challenge you can follow on my Instagram or even take part in if you'd like!
After something like a heartbreak happens you realize many things, one of which is how many people truly care. The outpouring of love, support, friendship, and advice I've been given these last 2 months has been beyond compare and at times has even brought me to tears. While I'm still sad the fact that I'm SO loved by countless friends, family members, and even complete strangers has helped the healing process tremendously.
I've also forgotten how much I enjoy being single. Yes, I miss aspects of a relationship and essentially having a built in best friend and life partner but being single is so empowering.
I've re-discovered my love of travel. Discovering new places, meeting new people, trying new foods, and immersing myself in various cultures...I found a meme recently that says, "My heart is meant to travel," and I'm pretty sure that explains me to a T. I actually wonder more and more lately if I'm not meant to live a conventional white-picket-fence life because of this.
The Re-Brand
All this self realization builds up to what you ultimately might be curious about: the name change and re-brand. I have been blogging since 2008; first as a promotional tool for my handcrafted and vintage jewelry businesses, then a bit more professionally as a healthy living lifestyle blogger. That's 8 years of blogging!
A short time after the break up I realized that blogging the way I have been doing it wasn't bringing me joy anymore. I felt like I started blogging as a way to try to become self sufficient and earn a living and after nearly 8 years I feel as if I was still getting nowhere with that particular goal. That and it just didn't make me happy anymore.
I'm still planning on keeping part of the lifestyle blog alive but instead of blogging to be self sufficient I'm blogging for the sheer enjoyment of it again.
The big focus of Kay's Adaptable Adventures now: Travel.
I want to go new places, experience new things, meet new people and ultimately share it all with you guys! Of course with chronic illness it makes it a little tough but I'm using my limitations to my advantage: a travel blog with a focus on traveling with chronic illness.
I certainly hope that you guys stick with me through this transition!
Have you had any realizations lately?