I've been back in California for 2 weeks now and I can already feel my energy shifting. There is something about this state that really draws me back to myself. Maybe it's being by the water, the beaches, nature, the sun, the critters…..I just feel more peaceful here. Hopeful...
excited for what's coming
I start at the new facility on Monday and have a whole week of facility/unit orientation. As much as online modules bore me, I am looking forward to easing into things. There have been ups and downs the past couple weeks, especially in getting here and getting settled, but every hiccup had a happy ending. I found a great rental that is close to work, that I'm settling Into nicely. Everything I need is super close by. Everything really is working out for me. I don't know how I'm still somehow surprised when things work out well, because they always do. It's easy to get caught up in the moment sometimes, of a stressful experience, to perpetuate the negative what if cycle, but the more times I do that, and then pivot, the more I see the value in deliberately choosing my thoughts, and finding positive things/thoughts to focus on. The more I practice mastering my energy, the better I get at it. The faster I notice when I'm getting off track, and the faster I can get back to center. I feel thankful, even for the chaos that this lifestyle provides.
I become more confident, more adaptable, more deliberate every time I step outside of my comfort zone. Would it be easier to stay at home and work full time, get a house and have stability? Some people might think so, but I would miss the adventure, the travel, meeting new people, learning new things. I get to experience things travel nursing that I just wouldn't get to experience if I chose to stay home. It's building greater resilience, greater awareness, and affords me time to truly sit with myself, evaluate my true desires, and work on myself. I get to do work that I love, in a beautiful place, and get paid well to do it.
When I spent a month alone in Thailand this year, I felt truly alone, and I started questioning why I love travel so much, I wondered if I was just trying to escape reality all the time....... but I've come to realize, I am creating my reality through travel, not escaping it. I love travel because it's always a new experience, and it allows me to get to know myself on such a deeper level. I have learned how I react in stressful situations, in new environments, when plans change unexpectedly, when I'm faced with new challenges I have never faced before. Everytime I accept a new contract, or travel to an entirely different country, I am opening myself up to grow. Ya, there is the obvious stuff, like figuring out where to stay, learning a new unit, finding parking etc…..that's the surface stuff, but there is also; learning to read and connect with total strangers I never would have met otherwise, trying new resteraunts I never would have been exposed to, being totally alone with my thoughts and learning to choose them deliberately in a way that brings me happiness.
I can be anywhere in the world and find things to appreciate. I can do that because I've been exposed to situations and feelings in different places that felt so uncomfortable I couldn't stand it, so I had to learn the skill of mastering my own thoughts. Something about being comfortable, in familiar surroundings, following the same routine everyday, that just doesn't demand that kind of personal growth from me. I'm certain that there are ways to foster this kind of self development from the comfort of home, but I've always had a bit of a flair for the dramatic.
So I travel to other countries do it. I am happy here, and plan to make the most of the next 13 weeks. I'm looking forward to the new experiences I'll undoubtedly have here, at this new facility, and I appreciate that I chose this path. This will be my first travel contract working 8 hr shifts, 3-1130, which is my preferred shift at home, so I am interested to see how much I like it. I'll be working 40hrs a week instead of my typical 36, but certainly appreciate the day to day balance of 8 hr shifts vs 12's. I think zoey will appreciate the shorter shifts as well.
Cheers to the next 13
Xo
Alana
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