Do you hear the Journey song brewing in my head, too?
I am almost settled in. New apartment, new city, new Kaitlyn. I just moved away from a small city I considered home for the last seven years. A city that was so comfortable and casual, it was like a page out of an L.L. Bean catalog. Effortless is nice, but I couldn't stand it for one more year. I needed a challenge. I was losing my luster and there was no way I was going to shine in that town of 150,000 people.
I'm in my third week in my new setting. This city isn't home to one of the United States' Top 10 party schools like my last, but home to almost one million people who do other things than binge drink and go to school. I know I sound a tad bitter, but the last year kind of put a bad taste in my mouth. I was having a quarter-life crisis. Didn't actually think they existed until I had a breakdown in winter. One where I almost quit my job, sublet my apartment and moved to San Diego. Clearly I needed a job I loved, a mature boyfriend and a money tree – like yesterday. Honestly, I think I just needed a little guidance.
I had lost touch with myself. Working 60 hours a week will do that to someone, especially if you're in a field you shouldn't be. After many a tissue, I realized that I needed to stick with it, get that resume nice and right, and finish up my lease. I saved up enough money to peace out of that one horse town and I couldn't wait to start tackling a promising new one.
This new locale might be more inviting for my social life as well. Now that I'm living in the center of the action, I can go out and meet new people, take a cab and not worry about spending $25 just to get home. Speaking of meeting new people, lets pray to God there are some tall, good looking, professionals hanging out in my little neighborhood. I mean, as much as I love the laid back college atmosphere, there is nothing fun about playing Mrs. Robinson to some twenty-something undergrad. I understand 25 isn't old, but when you are in a college town, if you aren't in college, married to your high school sweetheart, or have lived there your whole life – you are certainly the odd man out. Serious bummer when you are a single girl exploring the same bars and running into the same douche canoes… you know it's time for a new city.
The whole Match.com thing could work. I had some pretty hilarious things happen to me in my rookie attempt, but I feel that those experiences were necessary. Even if I were to just meet new people that way. Not every date is going to lead to a relationship, but it could lead to some good friends? Moving to a city where you only know a handful of people and a few in your hand are related to you – you find yourself praying for new friendships.
Starting from scratch can be invigorating. It can also be scary as hell. Right now, I'm getting slightly familiar with my surroundings, but I am by no means comfortable. I want to love this city as much as I loved my last. I want to succeed. I want to love someone. I want to find myself. Most importantly, I want to wear all those heels that have been neglected over the last seven years.
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