Ride Unfamiliarity

Today I was hit with the feeling that most recent grads fall in to: What now?

As I finished throwing all of my belongings into my Jeep to leave my quit-familiar college town, I became nostalgic.

Although, I’m not exactly finished with school, it’s crazy to think that I’ve finally made it to the gap year that I ever so longed for. Over the past three years, I can remember so many sleepless weeks where I dreamed of the days that I wouldn’t have to study. I knew that life would be better where the grass was greener. That is, until last week when I woke up to the realization that I was there. It hit me that I would no longer be surrounded by the friends, classmates, buildings and places that have been who I am.

I’m not saying that I regret my college experience, or feel that I did it wrong; I just feel as though the end was not the end I expected. So much of us can’t wait to finish – only to finish and realize we missed something.

Something I’ve learned from this weird state of nostalgia is to take it all in while you’re living it. I’m excited to begin my AT adventure, but I must remember that while Katahdin may seem like the end goal – it’s the entire experience that I’ll remember and long for more of.

As a girl in her young twenties, there’s a lot of pressure to have life figured out by now.

I’m not planning a wedding and I don’t have the feeling of confusion now that undergrad is over with. I simply want to live for a while. People don’t seem to take that easy.

I choose to ignore the pressure. I choose to embrace the unexpected and take random chances. Life is funny- It’s a roller coaster full of adventure, new beginnings and sharp turns that make you leave what you’re use to. If you don’t ride the ride of unfamiliarity and escape what you know, you rob yourself of new experiences that can change you into the person you’re meant to be.

I’ve worked all throughout college to be able to have this time for myself. After Christmas, I’ll have three short months before I leave NOBO. I’ll still be working and finding ways to promote my charity  but I refuse to wait for the adventure to begin then. I want to take in all aspects of this break – so I’ll do just that.