What can I say? What is there to write?
It feels like nothing inside or outside will make this change. So I am going to offer some metaphors and similes . Keep up.
It's been almost two months since my (unable to find the proper adjective) return home. I didn't know what awaited me here when I left behind the meaningful and life-changing experience I had in Maine. But the future held promise despite the fact that I was going back to all things familiar and comfortable.
I said hello to the holiday's. We shared words. Mostly about how I missed the deep friendship we once shared. Now everything feels like a show. Fake. Forced. Tragically misrepresented. So the holiday's and I parted ways feeling much the same as we did going into it all (Well, Thanksgiving and I DID have a row which ended in me wanting to rip out my whole digestive system.).
Then I faced reality. The reality that a REAL job was not going to pop up it's convenient head with a friendly "hello! I've been waiting for you. Let's be besties." So I sought out a temporary employment friendship and the benefits that would accompany that kind of relationship. After fruitless attempts to convince several employers that I was the best friend they would ever have, I ran into an OLD friend...the first one I had really. This was one of those unlikely friendships that didn't end well, though it taught me a lot. We had parted on moderate terms, assuming that we would never speak again. Yet here we are. Speaking. And it is UNCOMFORTABLE. This has now become one of those awkward pity friendships. One where I can't stand the friend but I feel bad leaving them and I need the benefits the friendship brings. (Translation: I am working at the job I had in High School and left because of the inconsistency in management, the terrible scheduling, and the lack of decent hours. Things haven't changed, but I'm here because I need the money).
The there's the social aspect of everything. I'm as awkward as a day-old calf. All the other animals know and are comfortable with each other. And then there is me. Stumbling through as the person who ONCE used to know everyone and now knows no-one. That's just a barrel of awesome, right there. If I could find the "Sword of Pearls" to break my "Shell of Shyness", things would be a little easier. (I know that only 1-2 people get that reference. For the rest of you, I imagine you will NEVER have the chance to be enlightened. I weep for you).
There is too much good food in the world and not enough self-control receptors in my brain. This causes problems. As does a certain motivation problem and the fact that there are no mountains to hike. And I don't have a kayak.
"I want to see mountains again. MOUNTAINS, blog-readers. And then find somewhere quiet where I can own an Al paca." (name THAT horribly butchered reference).
Yes indeed.
Do you want to know what happened to all that potential that existed when I first left Maine and came home? I'll tell you. But first another question.
Do you remember a time that you look back on and think "I cannot believe I was FRIENDS with those people?" But then you look at your life and realize you have grown up so much since then and are IMMENSELY glad you changed?? This is kind of like that. I said goodbye to promise and potential when I re-found those friends I had tried so hard to get away from. I'm reverting back to old habits that those friends encouraged. (Remember please that these are metaphorical friends like my current job, as well as the friend known as "too much free time", "procrastination", and "lack of motivation".) What am I doing with these friends and why do I let them influence me?
Answer: Because I have found my way back to stagnation. And all my self-pitying mind can think is "welcome to The Rut. As a returning visitor we would like to offer you our platinum membership."
Here's the part where I try to mentally dig myself out of the hole I'm digging because self-pitying rants are NOT useful. Or helpful. Not in the long run. Especially if you keep dwelling on them.
I don't DESERVE to complain or to feel like I am lacking.
I HAVE aspirations. I have dreams. Just because they aren't going to come easy doesn't meant they wont happen.
I have no idea what I am doing here. That doesn't mean I am meant to keep walking forward in darkness.
Things may become clear. And some experiences, no matter HOW uncomfortable, are better teachers than the easy and illuminated road.
I just need to remember that I cannot have what I had. Not right now, anyway. I have to move on and try to continue to be a better version of the person I was two months ago. Not revert back to the person I was 6 years ago.
I control my life. My job doesn't. My family doesn't. My brains inability to refuse cookies doesn't.
And while today I needed was to feel sorry for myself, I'm not going to let that be tomorrow. I've had my little pity party and it's time to move on.
My life is what it is and I have SO much more than I deserve.
4 comments:
Isn't the Sword of Pearls, etc. from "The Nutcracker Fantasy"? That's all I can think of...
(And you KNOW I know that other horribly butchered reference, so I don't feel as compelled to flaunt my superior intelligence here... ;)
Hang in there- I know you'll make it work. To reference the wise words of yet another movie, "Never give up! Never surrender!"
Love you!
Sarah!! I really like your writing, it makes me smile and reflect on my life a little. I feel you with missing the mountains and not having a "real" job, but it will all work out in the end!! Anytime you want an alpaca hug (or a chicken hug, llama hug, goat hug or megan hug!!!) come to RI...or I could perhaps ship one in a large USPS flat rate shipping box!! :)
Even though I was working at a place I'd imagined would be my career, it really wasn't what I wanted...certainly not the ideal librarian job. When things got really bad with my supervisor, I decided to look into this company everyone on FB was talking about. The pay is decent and I can honestly say the environment here is one of the healthiest I've ever seen. And you really don't have to know anything about mortgages or loans or business or all that to work here--I definitely don't (all they require for most positions is a Bachelor's degree). If you're interested, let me know. I'm pleasantly surprised so far.
Man, that sounded like an ad!! I swear I don't get compensated for saying the above. :) I just saw similarities in our situations and was surprised at how easily I could get out of mine.
Post a Comment