After talking with my therapist, I've decided to give Pieces of Happiness another go because of how happy it makes me. So, welcome Pieces of Happiness 2.0. It has been well over a year since I last posted and ran across the country. In that time, I not only had no time for pieces of happiness but was really struggling with actually being happy.
I'll share an update on how I got to where I am now since my run! If you're not interested in my personal journey and just want to dive into the 'how to be happy' part of the blog, feel free to just skip this one and wait for the next post! After the run across the country, I was mentally exhausted. My anxiety and depression reached a new level, and joy was hard to come by. My anxiety officially became debilitating, and I had negative flashbacks of my run, which pushed me to get a therapist again. I had an amazing therapist in PA, and as we were starting to make progress, I got the opportunity to pack up my life, drop everything, and move across the country to Colorado. Life was tough where I was at the time, so on Thanksgiving day 2022, I decided that in January I would get in the car and drive to my new home. You might be wondering why or how, and I actually followed my boyfriend for his new job. Lots and lots of factors went into this decision, and after what felt like a weeklong headache (since it was a quick notice), it made the most sense to go with him. When we arrived in Colorado, we hadn't secured an apartment yet, I no longer had my job since I couldn't stay remote, I was still pursuing my studies, and was both mentally and physically exhausted. However, slowly but surely, things began falling into place. While finishing my master’s degree, I worked as a waitress again at a busy restaurant and started working at a gym. It was fun to have a 'no stress' job, although my feet definitely hurt more from being on my feet so much. Then I completed my master’s degree! Now I have an MBA with a focus in Strategic Leadership and a certificate in Data Analytics. That was the biggest relief. I didn’t attend the graduation (long drive!), but I did buy a tassel and hung up my degree! Finally, after what felt like the longest job search, someone reached out to me, and I got offered a job as a Reporting Specialist. So life is slowly starting to feel back on track after a huge detour. After some trial and error with therapists, I found an amazing therapist who has been incredibly helpful. I also began medication. I share this to emphasize that using medication is okay, and honestly, I wish I had started it earlier. I believe it could have significantly changed my perspective during my run across the country. Life is different now; it's more enjoyable and liberating. I love my home and I'm starting to build friendships again. Oh, and I got a dog—her name is Goose, and she's the best! My doctor approved her as my emotional support dog, since I was even experiencing anxiety while running before starting the medication. Since the 4k run, running has been challenging. It stirs up a lot of emotions and flashbacks, and honestly, I haven't enjoyed it. Deep down, though, I know I love it and I want to get back there. After I moved to CO, my best friend, Bree, told me she was signing up for a half marathon. I felt compelled to sign up too, thinking I'd regain my love for running with six months to prepare again. However, I didn't. I lacked the motivation to train. Nevertheless, I flew to Maryland and completed 13.1 miles without walking in the Baltimore Running Festival. Let me tell you, I smiled the entire time. I loved it! (I also surprised myself; despite not running over 4 miles for months, I somehow managed an entire half marathon). It was the push I needed to get back out there, and now I'm signed up for a turkey trot and determined to achieve my goal of running a half marathon in every state. So, I feel better. This past year has been incredibly tough, yet it's also been truly transformative, allowing me time for self-discovery. Now, I live in Colorado (a distant 25 hours from my mom) with a dog, a master’s degree, a full-time remote job, and just an hour away from breathtaking mountain trails. Exactly a year ago, I wouldn't have imagined any of this. But I am happy. This massive, daunting leap to leave everything I knew has turned out to be beneficial, helping me rediscover myself. Hence the return of the blog. My amazing therapist simply said, 'Why not?' and I couldn't find a good enough reason not to. This time around, I might not post every week—I want to avoid putting pressure on myself. However, I'll stick to general themes like book blogs, volunteering experiences, discussions on finding happiness, and more. I also want to include nature blogs, inspired by the beauty of where I live. And, I'm considering bringing back the podcast too! If you’ve been here before, thank you for coming back and being a part of this journey. Your support is why I'm here again today. And if you're new, well, now you know a lot about me! I aim to be real and honest. Understanding happiness often comes from experiencing its opposite. I’m excited to be back, and I hope you're looking forward to reading along! :)
2 Comments
Debbie Murohy
11/13/2023 02:30:02 am
I am so excited to see your beautiful smile again! Keep writing, God has given you an amazing gift and platform. Thanks for being so honest, your story will help many! Hugs!❤️
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Mary Ann Wolfe
11/16/2023 01:31:10 pm
I have always enjoyed reading Pieces of Happiness. Way to go Cassidy! You have always had a beautiful smile just like your mom. Thanks for posting pictures too. I will continue to keep you in my prayers! 💕
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