Friends and Family

What it’s all about

by Katie Welker

Today I had a deep and newfound realization of how important it is to have close friends by your side throughout this crazy life.

And the realization came about while on my yoga mat.

Let me explain…

I just finished a six-week yoga challenge that was one of the most physically and mentally challenging things i’ve voluntarily done in quite awhile.

To complete the challenge, you’re required to take four hot yoga classes plus one educational workshop every week for six weeks straight. Not only was it challenging from a scheduling perspective, but it was also incredibly demanding on my body and a whirlwind on my mind.

Luckily one of my best girlfriends, Hannah, was there by my side. We signed up for the challenge together, and even though we didn’t take every class together, we were there to hold each other accountable and push through to the finish line.

It was not always easy. By week five I was in a “screw this, what the hell was I thinking?!” mood and nearly quit. I was so frustrated that I honestly started to resent yoga altogether.

But having a close friend to help me keep the silver lining in sight got me through it.

Tonight they held a celebratory yoga class for everyone who completed the challenge, and I was so drained that I almost bailed on it. I figured “I already did the challenge, why go to another class now when i’m exhausted and just want to stay home and read?”

But then two things happened:

  1. Hannah said she was going, so at least I knew I wouldn’t be there “alone”.
  2. My friend Brittany sent me the sweetest text message that, unknowingly to her, actually encouraged me to go because I knew it would be in the interest of good self care.

So I went. And shocking to probably no one, I had the BEST class.

There were over 60 people there so the positive energy was contagious. I had so much fun. I laughed. I smiled. I kicked ass in some of the more challenging poses i’ve been working on. And I just felt good.

As we closed out our practice my heart felt full and my body felt strong. In my mind, I thought back to the conversation I had with Brittany and realized, “this is what it’s all about.”

It’s about celebrating your accomplishments.

It’s about listening to your gut and being true to yourself.

It’s about recognizing who is by your side.

You need people in your life who can redirect you, nudge you in the direction of kindness, and guide you back to your best self.

After all, having friends there to remind you of those positive moments in life is what it’s all about.

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What else?

by Katie Welker

Tomorrow marks four years since my brother passed away by suicide. And as I write that first sentence, I can’t help but feel like I’ve written it before.

And quite honestly, it’s probably because I have. Well, sort of.

You see, each year on the anniversary of his passing, I’ve had this gut-wrenching push to use the cathartic outlet of writing to find a lesson amidst the mess.

I’ve talked about the traumatizing grieving process and the message he always said that is still stuck with me, how we must push ourselves to keep going, remind ourselves that life is truly of the essence, and to lean into our feelings, even when it’s challenging.

But this year, i’m frustrated. Because after four years, it’s exhausting to have this be “my story”.

Maybe it’s my own fault, but I don’t want to just be the girl whose brother passed away by suicide. I don’t want to be the one who has triggers that bring me to tears. I don’t want to be the one who’s hyper-aware of mental health issues in today’s society and how they impact every single person. Yes – every. single. person. But I am.

But here’s what else I am…

I’m a daughter to parents who still get up every single day, make the most of the crap hand that’s been dealt to them, and who still give their heart and soul to three daughters and countless others. They are warriors and I am in awe of their ability to continually push forward, no matter how small the steps can sometimes feel.

I’m a sister to my twin sister Emily and my older sister Mary, who have gotten me through more rough days than I can count. They remind me to be kind to others, not to be scared to discuss the “stigma’, and to fight for a cause that’s so much bigger than ourselves and our family. They are the glue that often holds me together and the light at the end of what can often be a very dark tunnel.

I’m a girlfriend to a hilarious, hardworking, dream of a man. We have goals for our lives individually, and exciting plans for the life that we’re building together. We prioritize our happiness, laugh often, and bond over the sting of losing someone too soon. He makes the good days great and the bad days bearable, and I truly feel he’s the counterpart I’ve always hoped to have by my side.

I’m a coach to a team of goofy, driven, potential-filled cheerleaders who time and time again lift me up without even realizing it. They’ve helped me share my passion for not only the sport, but for everything it stands for: teamwork, confidence building, and achieving a common goal that you pour your blood, sweat, and tears into.

I’m also a friend, a coworker, a writer, a book worm, a wanderer, a loyal sports fan, a college graduate, a former Buffalo and Chicago resident, a heartfelt fan of Friendsgiving, and most importantly, a family girl.

So while I am certainly someone who constantly misses her brother to tears, I am also much more than that.

I tell you this to make you realize that you can be defined by more than one circumstance.

You can miss people and still live with proud moments and a full heart.

You can fall on your face and still stand back up.

You can make terrible mistakes and still put the pieces back together.

Yes, there are some circumstances that will partially shape and define your story. We all have them.

But I urge you, push you, beg you to try and think beyond those circumstances and ask yourself, “what else makes me who I am?”

Think long and think hard. Put your heart into the reflection of it all. Lose the guilt. Be honest with yourself.

What else?