Each year, my mom and I take time to make vision boards for the upcoming year by cutting out pictures and phrases from magazines that we hope will represent our year. And every year my mom reminds me that my goals for the next year need to include something for each part of the life wheel. This “life wheel” or health circle consists of mental, physical, social, and spiritual goals that help keep you balanced. Today I was reflecting on how I am doing with these goals and how leaving home has affected them:
Mentally, I have been challenged in new ways that have made me question my self-confidence and mental fortitude in difficult situations. I fear people find me less intelligent because it is harder for me to articulate my thought. I am worried that I am not ready to be a full-fleged adult taking care of themselves. However, I have also gained a great trust in what my gut is saying and felt reaffirmed in all my emotions.
Physically the steps on my Fitbit have been skyrocketing while my nutrition has been dwindling. Trying all the new foods here has been so satisfying to my taste buds but not having a kitchen or a home-cooked meal in a week has not been satisfying the rest of my body. In addition to adjusting my body to the different mealtimes in Spain (breakfast between 7-9. Lunch 2-4, and Dinner not until 10), I realized I need to focus more on adjusting where I am getting my nutrients from. Thankfully, a quick search for a supermarket today ended with me eating fruits, protein, and a delicious cup of noodles (what, I am still on a college budget after all).
Socially the past day has been zero to one hundred for social interaction. The only people I talked consistently to for the first 4 days were my extremely patient boyfriend and my unwaveringly caring parents. Other conversations occurred between waiters and my future homestay mom, but these interactions were not enough to quell my outgoing nature. However, the beginning of classes brought with it new people from all across the world who are looking to talk to me as much as I am looking to talk to them. I also want to be grateful for the wonderful woman who works at the front desk of the hostel who was very thrilled when I told her I had finally made friends.
And finally, spiritual health. This is the part that can truly dictate all the other aspects and yet it can be the hardest for people to recognize and maintain. Having spiritual health is the difference between waking up everyday wondering what you are living for and waking up knowing Who you are living for. The fundamental belief that God has a plan for me and I am simply trying to discover what it is has redefined my perspective at high-anxiety moments. Also, the fact that I am never alone in my faith has become crystal clear in the past days. I have been lost in this city more times than I can count but no matter where I ended up it was never more than a block away from a church whose beauty would take my breath away. On the first three nights in Bilbao I went into the same nearby church for prayer and Mass. My mind and body instantly felt at home with the familiar rhythm of a Mass, the universal nature that I cherish in my Catholic faith. An older woman grabbed my arm after Mass and began sharing her favorite parts of the church to me: a clear outsider who was struggling to understand her. She then showed me to the back sacristy where elegant stature of Mother Mary brought me back to my home parish, Our Lady Queen of Peace. During my breakdowns on the phone with my loved ones they reminded me to pray and made me realize that my prayers are not alone. The peace deep in my heart knowing that people on the other side of the world (some of whom I haven’t met) are praying for me is such an extraordinarily humbling existence that makes me feel blessed beyond words.
The Odyssey Years 