New Beginnings: A Bracelet Tale

On March 1, 2013, I changed my perspective. I was at work with Corinne, telling her how it was time for new beginnings. It was a brand new month and anything could happen.

For the first time in weeks, I had regained a sense of optimism. After a break up with my boyfriend of 2+ years left me paralyzed, I decided it was time to pick myself up and start living again; time to smile and laugh...come what may. I wasn't imagining that "come what may" would result in me telling one of my best friends of my feelings for him.

This is said best guy friend, Hunter.

March 1 brought a shift and transition of sorts. My best guy friend became something more, and I started to remember what it felt like to be happy. In the weeks after my break up, Hunter was there for me. He would bring me food when I refused to eat, play music for me and suggest bands so I could get lost in another world. He would give me advice and support and just tell me I was going to be ok. He would play Super Smash Bros. with me, mercilessly beating me every round, but it was still fun to try so hard to win. (For the record, I have beat him at that silly game a handful of times in the last year.)

Playa Del Carmen, Mexico//Dec. 2013

ACL Fest//Oct. 2013 

NYE 2013

While new can be terrifying, it can also bring the greatest gifts of all. I have learned more about myself in the last year than I could have ever imagined. From trying new things, to relearning how to trust, I would not trade a day in of the last 365. Every day is a new day, no matter how cliche it sounds. I took a new day, a new month, and decided it was time to start something new in my life...and I'm so glad I did.

All the while through this new beginning, I wore my very first, and one of the very first, Healing Knots bracelets. These beads hugged my wrist day in and day out. When the hurt started sweeping over and the tears started to fill my eyes, I just clenched my bracelet and remembered I was "knot alone". I would breathe and hold each bead and knot. My bracelet reminded me that better days were to come.

I still wear my new beginnings bracelet from time to time, but it is not my crutch anymore. It has become a sweet reminder of how far I have come in the last year, and just how far I can continue to go. It just takes a refresh of the mind and a little change of perspective.