I sat on the patio of a café on Pearl Street in Boulder,
Colorado when I was 21 years old. It was Spring Break and I had just recovered
from a failed ocean escape to the farthest college South I could find that
forced my long term boyfriend to body surf alongside me. My heart felt heavy
that day because I knew that one day I would have to live in this state- and
particularly that town. It seemed so far away and impossible.
This week, I started my first week as yoga studio manager in
Boulder, Colorado.
The “work” aspect of my job has been coming along great. I
will be supported, challenged, motivated and forced to brilliance. The “lifestyle”
aspect of my job has been moving along like my heavy heart when I left Colorado
that year of 21. I’ve been apartment searching.
Apartment searching is a form of cruel and unusual
punishment that causes you to evaluate every portion of your life from your
monetary success to your social life to your ability to care for another
individual. In this case, this individual being Montego the cat. I have been
battling with rent prices, my desire to live alone, my yearning for my
Monday-Sunday social life in Minnesota and my need to step into my new abode
and look at my 21 year old self and say, “see, Chels. We did it.”
I’ve heard a lot of inspiring chatter since I’ve been in
this town which has eased my living situation anxiety. I’m working in a college
town, so naturally many relationships are on the rocks. Just yesterday, someone
at my front desk in their early 20’s said that he is so lucky to even have a
lover in this world, however, she needed to go off and travel the world and
experience things differently. Now he recognizes that everywhere he goes there
are new friends to be had. Please baby, teach me something.
Just yesterday one of my co-workers reminisced about her 30th
birthday this past weekend. She said this birthday was a high for her because
she is no where she expected to be at 30. Oh, I know all about this. 25, I was
going to be running my own business, married with a couple pets and making
dinner while dancing to reggae music with my wildly spirited lover. Damn, that still
sounds good but my point here is- my coworker said, “Thank God I’m not where I
thought I would be when I turned 30.”
Yes, thank god we aren’t where we thought we’d be because although
I’ve landed in Boulder, Colorado and I am inspired with every step I take,
there are new friends to be had everywhere I go. If I was where I thought I
would be, then I certainly wouldn’t be where I am now. Where are you now
readers? Let that be enough.
An old, dear friend told me the other day that he missed
highschool. The simplicity. The carefree lovers. The unanswered ventures. I
said honey, now you have a checklist for all the things you will look for
today. Don’t count on anyone else. The time is now.
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