"I'm New Here…"

I’m used to starting conversations this way. I moved multiple times as a kid, so I was constantly meeting new classmates, friends, and neighbors. As an adult, I’ve also moved quite a bit and worked several jobs before settling into my career. I still find myself frequently starting conversations this way, but now it’s usually in the context of a parent/teacher conference, social gathering, or when meeting with colleagues on a project team I signed up for at work.

I’ve also come to realize that being “new” doesn’t mean it’s the first time you’ve met someone or experienced something. It can describe an emotion we’re feeling, even long after being new to the environment or task. I think a lot of people can relate to this concept nowadays. Our “norms” are being challenged, our “typical” days look different, and it feels like there are more questions than answers at this juncture. But, one thing is for certain, this is all new…to all of us.

I’m finding the silver lining among the chaos right now. I’ve dreamed of writing a blog for years. In fact, I had one created nearly 5 years ago and the website crashed and deleted everything. I got it back up and running, this time taking notes on a document before publishing, and my computer crashed and everything was gone. I spent hours upon hours re-writing and re-creating everything to the best of my ability and my new computer died and the documents disappeared forever again. I took that as a hint. It wasn’t my time.

I know it’s meant to be now because I’m ready to be patient with it again. I have the fire and passion inside me again to let others turn pages with me, which was missing for several years. I’ve written several posts already and just stored them away for later (in multiple places to make sure I don’t go postal again if I lose it in one spot). I’m doing this for fun. I love to write. I love to share stories. I love getting feedback from people who are reading and can relate or appreciate the words, the journey. I’m doing this for me…as a way to digitally capture my life and the chapters that make it meaningful.

Thanks for being here with me. We’re all new here!