What I'm Currently Learning Through a Season of Isolation and Finding Myself

I'm not even going to lie—going through a season of isolation can get lonely.

People you thought would always be there start disappearing and doing their own thing. You start outgrowing certain people because you're no longer entertaining what you once did. And I'm not even going to lie, it hurts sometimes.

But on the other side of things, I'm learning to accept things as they are.

Yes, I cry. Yes, I reminisce about what once was. But I'm also learning that in this current chapter, God is shaping my character. He's shaping me into the person He has called me to be.

It's bittersweet, but what I can say is that I believe God can use even the lonely seasons of our lives for a greater purpose.

1. Finding Myself Again During a Season of Isolation

One of the brighter parts of this season is that I'm genuinely figuring out who I am as a person.

I'm realizing that I really like girly hairstyles, nails, beauty, cooking, baking, coffee and journaling. I've found my love for video gaming again. I've found my love for reading again.

I'm really growing up and learning how to enjoy my own company.

And yes, sometimes it can be boring—but at least it's peaceful.

I think God is maturing me.

For so long, it's easy to become caught up in other people, what they're doing and where you fit into their lives. But this season of finding myself has given me the space to discover what actually brings me joy.

I'm learning that getting to know yourself isn't selfish. Sometimes slowing down and spending time alone allows you to discover parts of yourself that got lost along the way.

2. Learning That It's Okay to Outgrow People

Like I said, this season gets lonely.

The people you once thought you'd vibe with forever can slowly start disappearing from your life. And the thing is, sometimes it happens gradually.

As you grow, you may no longer want to entertain the drama, gossip or some of the things you once tolerated.

Sometimes you simply outgrow people because you're on different paths and in different places in life.

And I'm learning that that's okay.

Outgrowing people doesn't necessarily mean that they're bad people or that you're better than them. Sometimes it simply means that you're changing.

Your priorities change.

Your mindset changes.

The things you're willing to entertain change.

And sometimes certain relationships don't grow with you.

3. Realizing That God Is Developing My Character

The most important thing I'm realizing during this season of isolation is that God is shaping and maturing me for something greater that He has for my life.

He's strengthening my character.

He's maturing me.

He's helping me get to know myself.

And most importantly, He's helping me get to know Him.

And I'm sure some of y'all can relate.

Sometimes we want God to immediately change our circumstances, bring new people into our lives or take away the uncomfortable feelings.

But I'm starting to wonder if sometimes God allows quieter seasons because there are things He wants to develop within us first.

Maybe there's something He's trying to teach us that we wouldn't notice if our lives were constantly filled with noise.

4. Growing Closer to God Even When I'm Not Perfect

I'm going to be real: I don't read the Bible every day, even though I know I should.

I'm coming to y'all raw and genuine.

But I've noticed that when I do read the Bible, I feel better. I feel freer. I feel more at peace.

I'm realizing how much I actually need that time with God.

And I'd be lying if I said I don't get distracted.

I do.

Sometimes I can even be lazy when it comes down to spending time with God. But God knows that I'm not perfect. I'm learning.

Growing closer to God isn't about pretending that I have everything together.

For me, it's about continuing to come back to Him.

Even after I've gotten distracted.

Even after I've had an emotional day.

Even when I don't feel spiritually motivated.

I'm learning that I still need Him.

5. Dealing With Loneliness While Finding Myself

Man, in a season of isolation, sometimes you just want to bawl your eyes out.

Because the people you thought would be there for you aren't there anymore.

Things change.

People change.

Circumstances change.

And sometimes you have to grieve what you thought certain relationships or seasons of your life were going to be.

That's one thing I'm learning about healing and personal growth: just because you're growing doesn't mean you won't grieve.

You can know that something is ending for a reason and still miss it.

You can know you've outgrown a situation and still cry about it.

You can be excited about your future while still having moments when you miss your past.

Both things can be true.

6. Accepting That Some People Are Only in Your Life for a Season

I'm also learning that not everybody is supposed to go into every chapter with you.

Some people may only be in your life for a season.

They may teach you things about yourself, life, relationships, boundaries or even the kind of person you want to become.

And when that season ends, it's okay to let it end.

That doesn't mean you have to hate them.

It doesn't mean the memories weren't real.

It doesn't mean the relationship didn't matter.

It simply means that chapter may have served its purpose.

And sometimes part of growing with God is learning how to appreciate what was while still allowing yourself to move forward.

7. Learning to Enjoy My Own Company and Find Peace

Something else this season is teaching me is how to actually enjoy being with myself.

I'm learning what I like.

I'm discovering hobbies again.

I'm creating peaceful routines.

I'm journaling.

I'm cooking and baking.

I'm reading.

I'm gaming.

I'm exploring beauty and things that make me feel feminine.

I'm learning that my life doesn't have to constantly be exciting for it to be meaningful.

Sometimes peace can feel boring when you're used to chaos.

But I'm beginning to appreciate the quiet.

There is something beautiful about learning how to sit with yourself and realizing that you don't constantly need outside validation, entertainment or other people around you to feel whole.

8. Healing From My Past While Becoming Someone New

I'm currently unraveling my trauma and learning more about the person I've become because of the things I've experienced.

Healing isn't always pretty.

Sometimes healing looks like crying.

Sometimes it looks like realizing why certain things trigger you.

Sometimes it means recognizing patterns you don't want to carry into your future.

And sometimes healing simply means giving yourself permission to become someone different from who you had to be in the past.

I know every day isn't going to be perfect.

I'll have days when I cry.

I'll have days when I'm sad.

I'll have days when the loneliness hits a little harder than usual.

But those days don't erase the progress I've made.

9. Trusting God With My New Beginning

All in all, I'm happy for the new beginnings I'm about to embark on in my life.

I'm realizing that I'm simply entering another chapter—and I've done a LOT of work to get here.

I'm healing.

I'm learning myself.

I'm growing closer to God.

I'm discovering new interests.

I'm changing my mindset.

And I'm becoming more comfortable with who I am.

I don't know exactly what this next chapter is going to look like, and honestly, I don't think I'm supposed to know everything yet.

That's where trusting God comes in.

10. Feeling Lonely Doesn't Mean I'm Truly Alone

I'm learning that feeling lonely doesn't necessarily mean I'm truly alone.

I have God on my side.

And that's what truly matters.

Maybe this season isn't about having everything figured out.

Maybe it's about allowing God to remove some of the noise long enough for me to finally hear Him, get to know myself and become the woman He's calling me to be.

Maybe this season of isolation isn't the end of my story.

Maybe it's simply the space between who I used to be and who I'm becoming.

And for the first time, I'm learning to be okay with that.