I recently posted a photo on Instagram with a “deep” and somewhat recurring theme for me, something I alluded to in my previous post. The words are ones I have been mulling on for years, but just when I start to lean into these words I get up and run. Typically around the three month mark of being in my hometown, my restless soul is rearing up for another adventure, another escape, another opportunity to outrun my emotions.
But this time I am still – immobile in the grand scheme of things.
I realize the reason this theme is so constant for me is because it’s taken me nearly a decade to work through a myriad of life events. I start to dive deep, write a blog post about my feelings, and then I flee before the real work is done. If you’ve been around this space of the internet for a while, you’ll know I’ve shared similar struggles for what feels like lightyears, and I often feel like I am prattling with these posts, but what I wrote on Instagram encompasses what I’ve needed to do for quite some time…
“Coming back to my hometown is always hard for me. There are emotions and experiences stuck in time here, and when I move away a small part of me is trying to escape them.
I came back this time because I knew I needed to sit with these feelings, to grieve lost friendships and relationships, to allow myself to fall on my face without the nagging judgmental voice of my ego, and to figure out what I need in order to heal and move forward.
All of these things are possible anywhere in the world, but I find when I’m off on adventures my focus is elsewhere. So here, in this town I can’t help but feel stagnant and stuck in, I find myself face to face with the same emotions I’m always trying to outrun.
Call it growth, call it adulting, or simply call it burn out…but I’ve been allowing myself to feel so many things since moving back. It’s not easy, it’s certainly not fun, and there are plenty of times I want to jump in my car and drive far away, but I stay. I stay in these feelings because deep in my heart I know the only way out is through.”
Despite my broken record like posts the last few years, something is different this time. This time I am not running away. I am doing “the work” no matter how uncomfortable it might be. I’ve officially reached the point of no return, and I cannot take this cycle anymore. It’s time to move forward. So I have been spending time with myself in isolation, while also challenging myself to be more social. I struggle with meeting new people, but I know these struggles stem from deep rooted fears most of us experience from childhood.
I am not great at small talk, the superficial conversations make me uncomfortable and anxious.
However, I know without these awkward initial engagements with other humans it’s nearly impossible to make friends. So often I dismiss a relationship before it even begins because I hold out for those rare people I click with immediately. I crave long, deep, vulnerable conversations with people who listen and who share parts of their brokenness few others have seen. I’ve only had a few of those people cross my path within the last decade, and as much as I wish all friendships could start this way I do believe some friendships flourish after time.
Unless you’re an animal. I will forever be the introvert in the corner with the animals.
Side note: I bought my cat a handmade wool cat cave…and I feel great joy every time he goes inside.
One of the reasons I chose my current job was because I knew it would be a place of comity, filled with people who like to hike, explore, bike, and whatever else we can get into outside. Despite the common interests in activities like hiking, I still feel anxious when committing to spending time with my coworkers outside of work. Typically when I decide to push myself out of my comfort zone I move across the country…or the world…but right now I am pushing myself to be more social close to home.
Meeting new people is a crucial part of my healing journey, and it will be impossible for me to rewrite the narratives I have about myself without putting myself out there.
I recently went on two hikes with two separate groups of people from work, and both excursions were good not only for my mind and my body, but also for my soul. The first hike I embarked on was one I have done many times before. In fact this used to be one of my favorite solo hikes, making it somewhat ironic I decided to hike this with three other people. While I am not usually a fan of larger groups, having more than one “new” person makes it a bit less overwhelming for me.
I am very picky with my friends, but once I feel comfortable with someone I am an open book. Truthfully I can be an open book right off the bat, if only someone shows a genuine interest. For so much of my life I have been around people who don’t show interest in what I have to say, or they listen just to reply. This has conditioned me to keep to myself, but it has also allowed me to appreciate those special souls I meet who want to hear what I have to say.
This aversion to other humans is something I have struggled with since the endless gaslighting of a previous relationship, causing me to question everything about myself.
This old hike with new friends was a nice push for me to get outside and start breaking open my shell of introversion. The only way to become more comfortable with discomfort is to continue pushing through. Four days later, I agreed to another hike with three guys I work with. This adventure ended up being a full day – 12 miles through mud, snow, flooded trail sections, many downed trees, and it was a blast.
I tend to get along with people of all ages, but I don’t have many friends my own age. I attribute this to the fact I continue to flounder in life while most people my age have “careers.” What I love about my job is the employees range from 18 all the way to late 60’s/70’s. The first group I hiked with I was the youngest, the second I was the oldest, and yet both times were enjoyable for different reasons.
My soul tends to connect with fellow old souls, and I have discovered physical age has nothing to do with the age of our souls.
As I continue to grow and push myself towards personal melioration I find comfort in the discomfort. Each time my throat tightens up before a night filled with tears, when my chest aches at the thought of a lost love, or when I let go of the obsessive control over my body and what I eat, I feel oddly comforted. I know in these times of pain there is a future of flourishing.
How joyful we could be as humans if we only took the time to work through our brokenness.
I’m writing this post to say I am in a place of comfortable discomfort. I don’t know if that makes sense, but despite the underlying anxiety I feel most days, I know I am where I’m meant to be at this moment in time. I am enjoying meeting new people, destroying the false narratives in my mind, and finally allowing moments of the past and present to work their way through my mind. It’s amazing what we can discover if we only take a moment to put away the distractions of life and press the pause button.
So here’s to pushing through. Through the discomfort, through the sadness, through the joy, through the laughter, and through the pain. Being human is one wild ride, but what a blessing it is to have the freedom to explore who we are, and what we need. One step, one day, one minute at a time.
Q: How are you taking time for yourself lately?
Blissfulbritt 
23 thoughts on “Pushing Through”
Grace @ Cultural Life
Wow, this post really resonated with me! Especially the way you wrote about making friends and getting past the small talk. I think I’ve also done that in the past and have dismissed people too easily because we don’t have an instant ‘kindred spirit’ kind of connection. Small talk is awkward and often boring, but I guess it often takes time to get to know someone really well.
It sounds like the hikes you’ve done are great ways to get to know new people. 🙂 Walking and talking is often a balm for the soul. In fact, I met one of my closest friends in a hiking group. Looking forward to the days when it will be possible to go hiking in a group again (after Covid restrictions are relaxed)!
Brittany
I think more of us relate to each other in this way than we realize! But man it’s hard to make friends as an adult! I agree walking and talking is a great place to start though!
Grace @ Cultural Life
Definitely! My experience is that it’s very hard to find new friends in adulthood – people are so busy and caught up with their own lives, and then, like you say, it can be difficult to find people who have similar interests or things in common.
rootchopper
Lordy, you are a classic introvert. Me too. I don’t have the energy for scores of friends. Extroverts often strike me as superficial and disingenuous. It usually takes me forever to become close friends with someone. And it totally sucks when a friendship ends (for whatever reason).
Hiking is such an excellent way to make friends. Much better than biking or running because the pace allows for social interaction. Or personal space.
Lesson learned from solo bike tours: solitude is not the same as loneliness. Loneliness implies wanting something. Solitude is about accepting.
Accept that you are different. Might as well. We all are.
Brittany
I love being an introvert, the ability to go off on my own is something many people cannot do. This I will never take for granted. I do know what you mean about the disingenuous vibe of extroverts though, ideally I’d find other introverts to share my time with.
Sandi
A couple of my closest high school friends were introverts – and they were always very well-read with the latest novel, New York Times Bestsellers, or articles, etc. They love being part of a book-club. Super intelligent and I could always learn from them, me the extrovert that could march up to anyone, any stranger, and happily start a conversation, sometimes dragging them with me. 🙂
Brittany
We need each other in this life. It’s a a balance. 🤗
gpavants
Hi Brittney,
Glad you are home. Think about this, we are all hit by trauma and there is definitely a time for recovery. Maybe this time at home is a way to get healing for the next season ahead.
Thanks,
Gary
Brittany
Thank you Gary! Your words are most helpful.
Hettie D.
I am not making time for myself lately, which is a huge problem (see how many days it took me to get to your post!). But I am about to fix it – boarding a plane in the direction of Europe in an hour
Brittany
I hope your flight went ok! It can be so hard to make time for ourselves, I need to be extra mindful of this.
Hettie D.
The flight went well, although I faced a new set of regulations again:)
Pam
Wow , taking time for myself…… either I’m subconsciously running away from myself by staying busy albeit at a snails pace or I’m just happy where I am and understand that in this time that we are in ,it’s just prudent to be safe , self isolate protecting oneself as much as others, and down the road we will have loads to share and enjoy❤️
The Serenity Prayer provides much comfort, don’t let the things that are beyond Your control or the evil and negativity live rent free in Your mind.
See Hear Touch Taste Smell and Live✋🤙
Brittany
I like this reminder of the Serenity Prayer, one of my favorites! I wish I could sit with you and enjoy some coffee, tea, and scones! I miss you.
Pam
I miss Our visits too….but know I am always with You 🐯
Sarah
I like your words. “Moving on”is a life-long lesson. Enjoy where we are.
Brittany
Thank you. ❤️
Jonathan Arenburg
Loved it! It takes a lot of strength to talk about our struggles.
Brittany
Thank you! I enjoy being an open book sometimes. 🤗
Jonathan Arenburg
You’re welcome ☺️
The SAD Creative
What a lovely post! I recognise the whole issue of being back in your hometown. For me, it’s probably my favourite place in the world, but also a place where I feel smothered and we’ll, stuck. Like, I shouldn’t go back unless I’ve got some major, impressive success to flaunt (impressive to whom?!). But I do miss it a lot now that I’m far away (the place, not so much the people, save for a few select ones).
Lately, I feel like I’m finally learning to make time for myself without filling it with shame, guilt, regret, and a sense of disgust, I suppose. Always been an introvert, and painfully shy, but learning to be OK with it. It’s just who I am. Running is definitely one of those things I do for myself, by myself, and thoroughly enjoying being in the moment, being grateful for living in a place full of animals and open spaces.
Brittany
Thank you! I definitely relate you the feeling smothered, I can’t tell you why, but it’s a real thing. Thankfully I no longer feel the need to “impress” others with my success. I’ve done a lot of cool shit and I am getting better at realizing that. Baby steps. 🙂
Accepting yourself completely is SUCH a freeing feeling. It can be hard to do, and I definitely struggle with this at times, but the older I get the easier it becomes!! Introverts unite, we need a little more love than most.
The SAD Creative
Definitely!
And your cat is beautiful! (I also have a black cat with yellow eyes. 😊)