It seems as though almost every one of my friends, family members, acquaintances, and even co-workers have something monumental happening in their lives right now:
retiring
engaged to be married
getting divorced
pregnant
first child has been born
new job
new girlfriend
new boyfriend
new pet
new car
buying a house
decorating a house
going to college
graduating from college
you get the idea.
It's been hard resisting the urge to compare my life to other's.
At times, I feel as if life is a game of Sorry. Most people my age have their little Sorry pawns in their circle, in their big house with their little kids-- whereas my Sorry dudes all got bumped back to start about a year ago. With the termination of a marriage comes the termination and/or deferment of several dreams (kids, security, etc.) and the need for a change of direction.
It was this time last year that I said good bye to several old dreams and started incubating a new plan: leave home and explore while I can. Sure, I might not be having children or obtaining my masters degree like others, but I have a chance to leave, take a few chances, and go on one great adventure before I settle down again. Keeping up with the Jones-es has just gone out the window now that I've headed in another direction. What I mean to say is that, in my plan to leave the US and paint for a year, there's no Jones-es to keep up with, no Smiths, no Andersons, no one to compare to- because they're busy doing something else, and I am busy setting a new standard for myself- independent of others.
It feels good.
retiring
engaged to be married
getting divorced
pregnant
first child has been born
new job
new girlfriend
new boyfriend
new pet
new car
buying a house
decorating a house
going to college
graduating from college
you get the idea.
It's been hard resisting the urge to compare my life to other's.
At times, I feel as if life is a game of Sorry. Most people my age have their little Sorry pawns in their circle, in their big house with their little kids-- whereas my Sorry dudes all got bumped back to start about a year ago. With the termination of a marriage comes the termination and/or deferment of several dreams (kids, security, etc.) and the need for a change of direction.
It was this time last year that I said good bye to several old dreams and started incubating a new plan: leave home and explore while I can. Sure, I might not be having children or obtaining my masters degree like others, but I have a chance to leave, take a few chances, and go on one great adventure before I settle down again. Keeping up with the Jones-es has just gone out the window now that I've headed in another direction. What I mean to say is that, in my plan to leave the US and paint for a year, there's no Jones-es to keep up with, no Smiths, no Andersons, no one to compare to- because they're busy doing something else, and I am busy setting a new standard for myself- independent of others.
It feels good.
So, as my friends and family are busy buying baby clothes for their upcoming child, trying on white dresses for a summer wedding, cashing in on their IRA in anticipation of retirement, signing the mortgage, taking the car for a test drive, and framing their diploma, I will be busy too: packing.
Viv! This is great writing. I think you're doing something monumental.
ReplyDeleteThis is the best blog I have read in a long time. I think a lot of people "out there" in the real world can relate to you. Our generation is deferring the traditional life route more than others. I think it's fabulous. This would make a great book! (I know I keep on saying that but these journal articles are a great start!)
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