Transition

It's been a while since I last posted - July 16th to be exact. 

I didn't mean to take such a long a sabbatical, but the truth is... I wasn't quite sure what direction to take this blog. 

My life is in transition. 

I like writing, but I'm not a full-time author. I retired from teaching three years ago, yet I returned to the classroom this fall. The nest is still empty, but we've added another grandchild to the family. I often find myself asking Who is the real Molly?

The physical nook is also in transition. At one time, the nook was my literary escape. Bookshelves lined the walls and a small sofa provided adequate seating for one. Over time, however, the book nook evolved into a craft room. Scrapbooks and rubber stamps took over the crannies. And now, I use the space as a home office, where I can sit upright and type without household distractions.

I suppose it is only natural that My Cozy Book Nook would also experience an identity crisis. A book review blog now seems too confining. I still like to read, of course, but I spend more time writing. My hobbies are varied and I enjoy connecting with like-minded people on all topics of interest. But how do I marry these diverse pursuits into one common theme?

I suppose the theme is TRANSITION.

And instead of a niche blog, perhaps this is more of a lifestyle blog.

Retirement is a wonderfully uncomfortable season of life. I have more time to pursue personal interests, but I also experience more aches, pains, and stiffness. I can lie around the house and do nothing, but I desire to have a purpose and make a difference. I have life experiences to share with others, but I also want to learn new skills and stretch outside my comfort zone. 

In other words, I have unlimited opportunity within certain physical and financial boundaries. And this freedom can be liberating as well as paralyzing.

During a recent journaling session, I conducted a word search for transition. Passage is listed as a possible synonym. Passage led to Progress. Progress led to Flowering which led to Bloom.

What a beautiful word picture! I see a shaded pathway, lined with wildflowers, leading to a bright unknown future where we can mature and become our true selves.

It is my hope that this blog can serve as a place where I can share the struggles, joy, excitement, and monotony of this transitional phase of life. And I hope to connect with others who might feel the same way. It is nice to know I am not alone.