New Beginnings

It’s been almost four months since we hit the road to San Antonio. Since then, adulting has been in full swing.

I have moved into my own apartment. Started my first big girl job. Got some big girl paychecks. Paid rent and utilities. Strolled the Walmart aisles deciding what I wanted for this week's dinners. Changed my mind 10 times thinking about wall decor. I still can’t decide what pictures I want to print.

I have left my family in Missouri. Well, more like they left me in Texas. But don’t worry, I somehow find a reason to text or call them every other day. It’s either a story about my work day, asking if I actually have to use the whole bottle of DRANO on one drain, or a story about how I didn’t know you had to get a “laundry card” at the laundromat. How embarrassing. But don’t worry, I just got my own washer/dryer!! #adulting #thanksgrandmaandgrandpa

Leaving home the day after Christmas was a surreal moment. Before we packed up the U-Haul and backed out of the driveway it was just a checklist of things to-do. Job, check. Apartment, check. Utilities, check. Packing, check. Then, the 16 hour drive to SATX had begun. It hit me. What the hell am I doing?!

Obviously, the mindset has definitely changed from, “What the hell am I doing.” It’s more of a, “YAY! New beginnings!” This is literally a new year, new state, new job, new life, new start. It is exciting to think that there is so much to explore. I’m standing on the brink of a whole new adventure and I just have to dive in. But at the same time, it’s SO scary. The possibilities of this new life, has an infinite amount of ways to end up. It’s intimidating and nerve wracking but electrifying and giddy all at the same time. It’s the beginning that makes your heart beat quick.

Learning the adulting routine was (and is) weird, to say the least. I leave home at 7:50 a.m. and don’t get back until 5:30 p.m. Sometimes even later than that if I have to get groceries or stop by the laundromat. Then what? I guess sometimes I’ll cook, but I live off leftovers most nights. Catch me trying to be that girl and food prep on Sunday or Monday night. Most nights I’ll just sit on the couch and binge watch Chicago Fire or Love Is Blind. It’s weird not feeling like I have a project deadline, have to study for a test coming up, or have to go to soccer practice. Shoot, I can have a glass of wine whenever I want!

Another adulting moment hit me the other day when I was updating my LinkedIn profile. The feeling of taking “Journalism, Mass Communication, and Graphic Design Student-Athlete” out of my headline was a bit heartbreaking. I definitely felt like a grown-up setting my headline as “Marketing Specialist.”

I have found in the last couple weeks that keeping in contact with my Missouri or Kansas family is so so so important. I text my parents almost everyday. Even if it’s just Dad sending me a silly meme or Mom sending pictures from the hike they just completed, to texts from teammates or a random FaceTime catch-up. It all means a lot and I hope it never stops.

I’m taking it all in. Because with every beginning, there’s an end. Committing myself to this process of growth has been a roller coaster of emotions, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I only hope everyone can experience a new beginning like this.

This journey I’m stepping into is new, unknown, exciting, scary, terrifying, and exhilarating, all at the same time. But, step-by-step, day-by-day, I’m making it through and I’m making this life mine.

I hope you join me on this new beginning and I wish you a beginning as great as this.

Stay golden,

M