I hope you had a great start to your week, and if not, it’s only Monday – plenty of time to turn the week around!
I’m currently on vacation with my husband and family for the first time this year. Tony and I have been married for almost 2 years and haven’t went on a real vacation together (we couldn’t afford a honeymoon during COVID – and still working on it). It has been AMAZING so far, but to be honest, I’m struggling to actually relax…
Do you feel like you struggle to relax? I feel guilty, or my brain continues to think of the million other things I could/should be doing. The world has forced us to “grind” all day everyday, without teaching us how to properly relax to create the perfect combination of work/life balance in our lives. I can’t speak for everyone, but I have personally fallen victim to believing we’ve been DISCOURAGED to learn how to enjoy simplicity. No one else is struggling to relax on this vacation, so maybe it’s just me!! 😂
I feel so guilty when I can’t be on my highest emotional, physical, intellectual functioning level at all times – this is so unhealthy. All day today, I’ve been wondering what I will sit here and type while I was TRYING to enjoy the beach (work free). It hit me like the rowdy waves of the ocean (which have totally kicked my ass) – why don’t we have a blog about learning to relax in our 20s/30s. This sounds all good and dandy, but I think there can also be a fine line between relaxing and being lazy/unproductive. I never want to be on the blurred line of those options, but I fight it so much, that I’m always on the complete opposite side of never relaxing AT ALL.
I don’t want this to be another cheesy blog about tips on how to relax.
I’d love for us to hear and share real life experiences from one another on how we’ve learned to relax over the years. OR, if you’re like me and you’re still struggling to learn this balance, share that as well.
I look forward to hearing from all of you, and invite you to write a post for “On Draft” regarding any life topics or funny stories you’d like to share that you believe can be transformational for someone else.
We believe this is a unique way to pour into and connect with ourselves and others in honest ways. We look forward to sharing this journey with you!
As always, it is our hope that you can #fillyourcup 🙂
Just a reminder that Growth Co. has 3 development categories we focus on: Personal, Spiritual & Communal. This post of “On Draft” will highlight all 3! Yay! The other night, I was wondering what people say are the most important things to know, apply or learn as a young adult. This simple google search landed me on an article called “Things to Start Doing in Your 20s so You Don’t Live in Regret in Your 40s”.
To our buddies in their 30s, this is NOT a diss!! These are applicable to ALL 🙂
This quote caught my eye “They say the youth is wasted on the youth”. I can’t speak for everyone, but I know for me – personally – I can struggle with feeling like I should be so much further in my life accomplishments OR I’m still so young and have so much life to live! I found these points helpful. I will simply list them, so that we can spark conversation around them genuinely. I look forward to the conversations we will have!!
Learn to love and accept yourself.
Learn to say no with confidence.
Take more risks.
Pull the trigger (don’t fear failure).
Turn your weaknesses into strengths.
Learn to negotiate with politeness.
Forgive yourself.
Don’t compare yourself to others.
Don’t be afraid to change directions.
Don’t rack up debt.
Don’t burn your bridges.
Don’t try to think of the future as some kind of stopping point for fun things
Do not spend one more minute of your life with someone who makes you feel like you are less than you are.
Take care of your body.
Don’t get caught up in the cycle of buying expensive things to keep up with the Joneses.
Build upon friendships.
Don’t rush to cram stuff into your 20s because you think you should.
Here’s the list! 17 life changing lessons, according to the holy Google.
My name is Lexi Hernandez and I am the Pastor here at Growth Co. We prioritize building meaningful and lasting relationships with one another, because we know how important community is for ALL people, but in this case, especially for those of us in our 20s/30s. This is a world designed to praise the individual…but WE weren’t designed that way, so you can see where conflict may arise. I just turned 26 last week, and I wanted to share some thoughts on what it’s like trying to build friendships in a world that encourages us to be the King/Queen of our own life, with little regard for others.
I read a book called “Find Your People: Building Deep Community in a Lonely World.” by Jennie Allen. It has completely changed my outlook on life and friendship.
In the first few pages, there is the paragraph below that just blew me away. It says:
IT HASN’T ALWAYS BEEN THIS WAY.
In nearly every generation since creation began, people have lived in small communities, hunting together, cooking together, taking care of their kids together. No locks, no doors. They shared communal fires outdoors and long walks to get water, doing their best to survive day by day. People were rarely alone. They lived communally, in shared spaces, with a variety of generations present – leveraging each other’s talents, sharing each other’s resources, knowing each other’s business, caring for each other’s family members, holding each other accountable, and having each other’s backs 0 not just to stay alive, but also in an effort to live more fulfilled…together.
Wow.
Prior to COVID, in 2019, a study was published showing that 3 out of 5 people considered themselves lonely. Emphasis on the word “prior”. Could you imagine what that statistic might be now? The thoughts are absolutely devastating. There should be zero shock to anyone on this planet that collectively, all living humans right now are experiencing some of the worst and highest cases of anxiety, depression and suicide. Like I mentioned, this world has become one designed to encourage loneliness.
So let’s share some hope…
Feeling seen, heard, accepted, and encouraged are some of the greatest feelings in this life. Knowing this, when I think about how many people in my life truly help me feel those ways, I’m saddened by the reality of the number. I love a lot of people. I easily extend grace to them and love them through their struggles. Except, there are only a few people in this world who I allow to FULLY know me. What if we started actively letting people know us better. Sharing more parts of ourselves, regardless of rejection. The reward of being fully known is always greater than the risk of being hurt. How can we do this?
NOTICE
Allen gives practical and applicable advice on how to help us build friendships. The first step is to notice. This requires close to nothing from us! It’s an observation of the people around you in the places that you already are. For example, as I type this I’m in the same room as my husband, Tony. He’s on his phone, I’m on my computer. We’re not speaking, and are essentially living 2 individual lives in the same physical space. This happens EVERYWHERE you go. Think of class, the coffee shop, work, grocery store, gas station, etc. There are always other people sharing spaces with you. Just look around!
INITIATE
In order to form true friendships/relationships, you may have to experience some awareness. GREAT! Yes, that’s great! No growth happens in your comfort zone, and feeling awkward means you are out of your comfort zone, and we love to see that! Invite someone to go places with you that you are already going to. This step isn’t asking you to add more social events to your calendar, rather, making what’s already on your calendar, more social. If you’re going to get gas, groceries, coffee, etc. invite someone to go with you! Car rides can be one of the best places to bond with people. If from step 1 you begin to notice the same people at the locations you frequent, start a conversation with them. Ask if they’d like to sit with you.
I know this will be a complete turn off for some people who consider themselves more introverted, but I promise your life will be FULL from it.
STAY
This is totally my personal opinion, but I believe that the cancel culture is so incredibly harmful for our mental health. We’ve unintentionally learned to serve only ourselves and to shew away any inconvenience that comes our way. This is also teaching us that healthy conflict is NOT possible. We’re losing our ability to practice saying things such as “I’m sorry” / “Will you forgive me” / “I forgive you” / “Let’s talk this through” / “I value our friendship, I want to fix this”.
We should practice learning how to stay when things get difficult in a friendship. This does NOT mean to excuse mental or physical abuse. Rather, learn to react to inconveniences in healthy ways, because we ARE human.
It’s possible to build deep and meaningful friendships in today’s world. Community is necessary for our well being. Let’s be intentional about creating it for ourselves and for those around us.
In what ways can you practice noticing, initiating, and staying in your life?
Thank you for reading this week’s “On Draft” Blog Post!
We’d love to have you write a featured blog for “On Draft”! It can be about any and everything you’d like. This is a space for fellow 20s/30s to share ideas, ask questions and explore with one another. If you’d be interested in writing for “On Draft” – please email Lexi Hernandez at lexi@thegrowthco.org or text us at (704)-476-1050.
It’s Lexi Hernandez, the lead brewer here at Growth Co. – the fusion of spirituality and everyday life for people in their 20s and 30s.
Growth Co.’s entire mission is to encourage transformation and growth through unconventional pathways. For months, we’ve been intentionally brainstorming how to provide personal, communal and spiritual content that is fun and engaging! Please know that you can create your own level of involvement – it’s not a requirement to pursue all 3 pathways, but they are all available if you wish to check them out. A few of our most popular ways to get involved include: our in-person and online gatherings for communal growth, our “Mid Week Specials” and our “Brewer’s Choice” for spiritual growth.
We are SO EXCITED to welcome you to our blog – “On Draft”.
Through “On Draft”, you can experience personal growth and development!
Every Monday, we will post a blog to “On Draft” – accessible through our website and shared as a link to our social media accounts (@thegrowthcolife). “On Draft” is a safe place to explore all beliefs, concepts, feelings, and questions. They are expressed through written words and encourage us to self reflect, dive deep and THINK in order to grow. Various authors (myself, other Growth Co. leaders and members) will share REAL and relevant stories and experiences of ALL types with an array of topics.
We believe this is a unique way to pour into and connect with ourselves and others in honest ways. We look forward to sharing this journey with you!
As always, it is our hope that you can #fillyourcup 🙂
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