Celebrating Adaptability: Finding Family in the Waves
Today’s journal prompt invited me to reflect on one quality I could appreciate more in myself. The answer came easily: adaptability. My life—like so many others—has been a constant dance of shifting plans, new roles, and unexpected waves. Whether it’s volunteering, business, or just the day-to-day, I’m always adjusting, always finding a new rhythm.
Living in the Midst of Change
I can’t point to a single dramatic moment; instead, adaptability has become a pattern threaded through my days. Volunteer commitments shift, business needs change, routines get rearranged. I’m always moving, always recalibrating. But with every shift, there’s a twinge of anxiety—a quiet worry that maybe I’m the problem, that maybe I’m just “too much.” I give a lot behind the scenes, and sometimes I wonder if that energy is overwhelming for others.
Riding the Waves of Self-Doubt
When those anxious thoughts hit, I’ll be honest: I tend to spiral. Sometimes I shut down, other times I push myself even harder, hoping to be liked or needed—but that rarely brings relief. If I could reach back and comfort my past self, I’d say: Even if it is about you, you have people who love and support you and your muchness. People need you and your talents, and if someone doesn’t like that, it’s their loss—don’t sweat it. Life is full of waves; it’s your choice to swim through them, wash out, or surf. Just keep going and do your thing.
Finding Family Among Misfits
What I’ve found, over time, is that adaptability isn’t just about surviving change—it’s about building something beautiful in the midst of it. I have a knack for collecting a community of misfits, turning strangers into friends, and creating spaces where we can support each other. That community has become my family. In the unpredictable tides of military life, business, and creativity, it’s these connections that anchor me and bring the most joy.
For Anyone Riding Their Own Waves
If you’re reading this and struggling with feeling “too much” or anxious about always having to adapt, I hope you’ll remember: Even if it is about you, you have people who love and support you and your muchness. People need you and your talents, and if someone doesn’t appreciate that, it’s their loss. Life is full of waves—sometimes all you can do is keep moving, and trust that you’ll find your people along the way.
Closing Thoughts:
Adaptability isn’t just a skill—it’s a quiet superpower. It’s what lets us find family in unexpected places and joy in the ever-changing tides. Here’s to all of us learning to appreciate our muchness, and to the communities we build because of it.