Finding Peace During Change

by Kimberly Young, Communications and Community Engagement Specialist, Caroline County Public Schools

Like so many of us, I have had my share of changes over the last year and a half. I went through a divorce, worked from home from March until November 2020 when I was laid off, and then started a new, fantastic job with Caroline County Schools in July of this year. I am delighted to say that all of these changes are for the better but change is change. Creating and learning new patterns can be stressful. I went from basically wearing no makeup or “work” clothes for almost a year and a half to getting up early, getting dressed, and driving to an office every day, literally overnight. When the pandemic started and I was suddenly home alone, day and night, it was stressful figuring out how to fill my time meaningfully and not let the solitude weigh me down. I found comfort and peace in doing things that felt normal such as taking a walk in my neighborhood. I would listen to the birds, feel the breeze, and enjoy being outside. I have noticed that in adapting to this new job, new office, new people, new everything, I find peace in doing the same thing. I take a quick walk outside a couple of times a day to feel normal.

It was during one of these walks recently that I realized it was the familiarity and the normalness of the activity that brought me peace just as much as the actual walk did. I was 14 the first time I went to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and saw the massive elephant in the rotunda. Over the years, I have visited that museum many times with different people and in different stages of my life and I always found comfort in seeing that big elephant. No matter what was going on in my life, he was a constant. A normal. It made me feel grounded. It brought me peace.

I believe it is the same with my walking but it can be many things. Looking at an old photo album, listening to a song that you loved when you were young, or watching an old movie. They are like old friends that are always there when you need them. Change is inevitable so find those old friends you may have and visit them. If you happen to visit the Smithsonian, tell my elephant friend that I hope to see him again soon.