A (Chelsey) Grace Period Through Discomfort and Adjusting

If you love change, trying new things, traveling, and stepping outside your comfort zone, but dislike the adjustment period, then this post is for you.

With the courageous heart I embrace every day, I consistently navigate periods of adjustment and settling in. 

I constantly ask life to bring me to places that will help me grow, while being surrounding with diversity. Just recently, I decided to move to Oaxaca, Mexico. I moved out here because life answers my prayers of bringing me growth and diversity. But with that being said, I am now navigating a period of adjustment, where discomfort and questioning arises. 

Despite these setbacks, I find immense clarity when I return to myself. I notice how much calmer I feel, how vibrant life becomes, and how confidently I can stand on my own two feet. After spending about three months at home, I see how easily disrupted I get when I'm in my comfort zone, contrary to what many people believe.

In my comfort zone, I tend to let a part of myself go. I become lazier, overeat, say things I don’t mean, and stop putting in the effort to keep myself in check. So although I am surely uncomfortable right now, it's better than being in my comfort zone - being stuck in old versions of myself where I can’t get a fresh breath of air to my heart.

Having moved around every summer since I was six, attended university outside my hometown, studied abroad, and spent 13 months backpacking alone in 2023-2024, I now find myself moving to Oaxaca, Mexico. No matter the phase I'm in, I seem to always face discomfort as I navigate new territories. Habitually, I think something is wrong, whether that's with me, my environment, new living situation, or new hobby I want to learn. It all circles back to me not believing I deserve to have this beautiful of a life - that it can’t feel this good. I feel that I am lacking someone or something. I retract back to tendencies that end up leading to self sabotage. 

Adjustment periods are uncomfortable. However, I'm now reframing this experience; instead of calling it an adjustment or a moment of resettling, I’m embracing it as my grace period—a Chelsey Grace Period.

It's a Grace Period where I give myself:

1. A full week to avoid making any decisions

2. No thinking about the future

3. Remind myself to breathe 500 times a day

4. Engage in the things I love: yoga, writing, café hunting, soaking up the sun, reading…

Your grace period will end up being so busy because you are worth that much time and attention. Nonetheless, “being” requires a lot of work and attention. Being able to sit with yourself requires A LOT of work.

In these moments of your Grace Period, unconditional love is especially important. Remember, this is your time to shine in the newness, and this journey is for you. Everything you do needs to be for your own benefit, driven by a mindset of abundance, not lack.

With this small mindset flips, I am thankfully returning home. There's so much clarity that comes my way when I'm back on my own. 

May my journey in Oaxaca reveal the true essence of unconditional love—both for myself and for those I encounter. I aim to step into my power and illuminate the parts of me that have longed to shine. I deserve to shine brightly, embracing all the uncomfortable love life offers.

Whenever you feel uneasy, remember that you’re stepping outside your comfort zone—and wouldn’t you rather have it this way? Cheers!

Paz y Amor,

Chelsey