A Quick Note of Encouragement for You

Change is hard, but more to the point, change is stressful.

This newsletter is about a lot of things. Most often in this space I offer writing advice. I tell stories about my own life and experiences as an author. But today, let’s be different.

This time of year is a time of transition for so many. Children are going back to their classrooms. Young adults are starting college. Many of you are starting new jobs and even new lives with new loved ones. Some of you are changing living arrangements or dealing with the care of an elder. The holiday season is lurking just over the horizon like a goblin in bells. Life can be so complicated.

There’s a chart out there that you may have seen. The chart lists many life events (exs. marriage, divorce, moving, death of a loved one, etc.). Then it assigns a point value to each change. If you’ve experienced any of these in the past couple of years (death: 100 pts; a move: 70 pts), you know what stress is. If you’ve experienced multiple such events, then you’re really going through it.

And it’s not just negative experiences that raise our anxiety. Blessings can unnerve us too. I have a friend who recently bought a huge house. Good for them. But uprooting oneself and starting over—even in a brand-new home; especially in a brand-new home—can be stressful.

Today’s post is simply to acknowledge that.

Whoever you are, whatever you’re doing, take a moment to recognize the tightness you might be holding in your chest or stomach. Take a deep breath. Seriously. Take 10 seconds to inhale. Feel that stress like a ball of orange light. Then release it into the atmosphere.

Whatever you’re experiencing, I’m rooting for you. We’re rooting for you. Onward

If you enjoyed this post, please leave a comment.

Lastly, for my birthday on September 20, I’m giving away 20% off to all new yearly subscribers. That’s right. 20%! Here’s the link. Please share if you like.

https://mauricecarlosruffin.substack.com/theamericandaughters20