American Girl

Raised on promises. Can’t help but think that there are lots of places to run to…

I’m spending the week working in San Francisco, and I’m getting antsy. I haven’t even had much of a chance to explore, but I’ll be leaving a piece of my heart in this city – so charming, so easy, so free. My bubble of life here has been incredibly chill despite dealing with the terror of lost luggage for a day, and that’s a large hurdle to overcome.

They say that you know when you need to get out of New York City. For me, that time was now. So many highs and lows in the past two weeks! Almost too much for a girl to bear, but I will tread onward and upward. Life, love, and the pursuit of happiness are never easy but those small pockets of pure joy they bring are certainly worth the struggle.

In a way, recognizing that desire to flee NYC brings me closer to my new city. We know each other more intimately now, and can accept and act on that need to spend time apart. That being said, I can’t lie and say that I’m not questioning myself a bit in a city like this. I can see myself here - palm trees and the ocean have always soothed my soul, and the west coast has welcomed me with open arms.

Where do I belong? I’m not sure if I’ll ever know, and I think I’m okay with this being a life-long rhetorical question. I’d move anywhere for the right person, the right job, or the right reason and I truly believe that I’m a citizen of the world.

“Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once and it's too much. My heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst, and then I remember to relax and stop trying to hold on to it and it flows through me like rain and I can feel nothing but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid, little life.”

I remind myself that these questions are normal. They are totally healthy and a necessity for one who wishes to live each day to the fullest – if we don’t ask them, how will we make the most of tomorrow?

Travel far and travel often. Explore. Adventure. Smile. Talk to strangers. Live it up because we are not guaranteed tomorrow. And, ask yourself the hard questions – I hear they will lead you to your perfect future.

…take it easy, babe – it’s a great big world, and it’s all yours.