I've always struggled with the plethora of opportunities open to people my age these days. Everyone in my life is always doing something different: corporate, non-profit, teaching and volunteering abroad, grad school or part time jobs; it seems there are so many varying styles of 'making it' today. Life is a never-ending opportunity to experience as much as one can.
Which makes me a little anxious about my own future. What do I do? Where do I want to go? I often feel overwhelmed by these questions to the point where I've definitely lost my fair share of sleep tossing and turning in my bed. But, why worry?
Well, I'm just trying to make my life sound exciting. Right? Is that it? Or is it that I want to wander far from where I grew up to make a better life for myself or for someone else? Or gain international experience to someday have an awesome corporate job? I'm not really sure.
At any rate I feel some peer pressure to do something 'amazing' and 'international.' There's also an element of regret that I'm afraid of feeling someday of 'not doing it while I had little commitment in my life.' While considering the intercontinental option or even inter-state option, I've found myself discounting my current experiences and the place I already know and love: Minnesota.
I can't help smiling when I see the perfect letters all in a row, picturing the lush valleys along the Root River and the endless biking adventures I've had in this lovely state: my home. If it was a physical object, I'd be the dork who hugs it!
What's so wrong with staying here? There's economic opportunity, friends and family. My other high school classmates, friends and connections have chosen this place for themselves, so why not me? What am I so afraid of?
In the coming months, there will be a lot of transition in my life. From new job to new social groups, new living situation. Eeks! What I think, though, is that I'll be sleeping better. Minnesota is a great place to be and I'm not quite over her just yet.
