It has been a crazy few months, but as I sit here at a local park, typing this update, I can’t help but realize how immensely blessed I am. It is a beautiful summer day here, with fluffy white clouds dotted across a blue sky and a gentle breeze keeping the heat at bay. Butterflies and dragonflies periodically flit through the air and there is a pair of Corgis playing in the community space to my left. For the first time in a very long time, Colorado is actually green! Like, we have had such consistent and ample precipitation, that everyone’s yard is green, wildflowers are blooming, and there is even some snow still on the Rocky Mountains, and it’s July.
In addition to all the beautiful natural growth that has been on display this spring and summer, I have also gotten to see some personal growth in two areas of my life, which has been really encouraging. First was the completion of a journey that I have been working on for a few years now. As some of you may know, I have been prioritizing paying off all my debt since early 2021 (Travel Time Out), and as of June 2nd, 2023, I am complete debt free. No credit card balances, car loans, or student loans… nothing. And it feels kind of amazing. I think it’s been over 10 years since the last time I didn’t owe anyone any money, and I’m super excited to start seeing the new opportunities that will arise out of no longer having that burden/hindrance. I am also excited to see the mindset shift as I begin to see the “fruits” of my labor grow, instead of just disappearing. Don’t get me wrong, there was a sense of accomplishment each time I saw a balance break through another thousand dollar mark, or each time I paid off a credit card or personal loan. But this is the first time in my life that I am able to truly see my savings grow, and start getting to see them as the funds that will finance all the experiences I have been dreaming of (a.k.a. Travel! #SouthKorea2024 #Antartica2026?) instead of the lack of funds being a point of stress.
Secondly, I have significantly downsized my possessions. As you may recall from last year’s Summer Recap, and our unexpected move, I had developed a fervent need to get rid of things, all for the sole purpose of never having to pack up that much stuff… ever again. And this Summer, I am getting to live it out. Over the last month we have had one roommate get married and move out, and a new roommate move in, which gave me opportunity to move into the smallest room in the house (feel free to read that as “smaller room = smaller rent = happy dance”). And as I was talking with a friend about the room switch today, I realized how grateful I am for the timing of it all. Because, last year, I did not have the right mentality or ability to let go of so many of the things I had to let go of so that I could fit in this room. Mostly because, a year ago, I was still holding onto the “dream lives” I wanted to live when I was 12, 16, even 22 years old; and if I had been forced to let those go last year, I think it would have felt more like a loss to be mourned, than an instance of growth to be celebrated.
So, all in all, this summer is starting to feel like a turning point in my adult life. Don’t get me wrong, I still feel like I have no idea what I am doing sometimes and like I am playing catch-up on the “adulting lessons” that I somehow missed. But now when I look to my future, I feel optimistic. It feels like I have options, and that I just have to decide which one I want to pursue next.
Sojourn Nation 