Drifting through the Waves

First and foremost, thanks for checking out my first blog post.

This post will be a little more intimate than I’ll probably share in the future, as it comes with a bit of self-reflection from the transition of 2017 to 2018 and the realization of self-growth, while balancing the differences with close friends and working on finding that common ground between us.

As I’ve come to realize, I dove into 2017; deep end and all – holding my breath and swimming until I felt some sort of bottom. I was the epitome of that #yearofme or #yearofyes attitude. I had never been a believer in writing down goals or aspirations because if they weren’t met, they wouldn’t be looking back at me. I had plenty of successes, plenty of ups and downs, and plenty of travels through 2017. All in all, memories I couldn’t have dreamt of were made, laughs were had, and cries flooded the sea.

As tradition I brought in the new year with those closest to me, in a new city as we do each year. Being the one who lives the furthest away with no one in our circle even within driving distance, I don’t know if it was the excitement of being together or being in a city where no one knew me… the end result… I welcomed 2018 wishing I could do it over. I was with those that I love most, but I made poor decisions and here we are nearly 2 months in and I’m still thinking of those decisions. To the group they were nothing, but being the one who internalizes everything, has me still thinking about them. As I traveled back to my river, I decided changes were going to be made. For the first time I created a list of goals and aspirations and took them one step further – I expanded them from a list to a full bulletin board in my bedroom so I see them everyday. I’m going to make myself a little vulnerable and publish those goals so everyone who reads this can help hold me accountable.

• Fitness
• Blogging
• Learn Piano
• 1 New Country
• 3 New States
• Less Alcohol
  • Try Eliminating Liquor
• Try Vegan for 30 Days
• Read 1 Book per Month
• Learn Italian
• New Job
• Go Back to School

I’m happy to report that a couple of those goals have already been achieved and the others are in progress. I’m determined that I won’t put any on the back burner.

As I navigate my self-growth and continue to find my balance, I’ve come to realize even more the importance of those we surround ourselves with. Being the one who has considered close friends family and fortunate enough to have that support group, I’ve also come to realize how different we are and at times the struggle to continue finding that common ground.

It wasn’t until recent where I struggled with this topic with two friends who I would consider among my closest. One I realized on my own and the other was pointed out to me. Although we talk almost everyday and remain close as ever with distance, it wasn’t until he visited for the first time since I moved to Texas how different our opinions and thought processes are. I felt lucky that we are still close enough to point each others differences out, but a part of me wants more. What’s happened that has put us on opposite ends of the spectrum for so many important topics? This is a friendship I have no concern will wash away, just a little more effort in communicating is needed. My second example of this was the one that had to be pointed out to me – my closest friend here in the river country and I have recently had our speed bumps. I blamed it on the recent distance (actual miles) that we’ve had to battle. We went from seeing each other every weekend to simply phone calls and text messages. Tones of texts can be misconstrued which leads to distance and by the time we got around to addressing it, we’d both realized how different we’ve both become since we met. 2017 was a huge year for both of us. We were each an integral part in each others growth, and I hope that we will find that common ground again that we once had.

The support circle I referenced earlier and those I brought in the new year with are one in the same. It wasn’t until recent I realized they have been my background cheerleaders far before I knew it in supporting me and my life. It’s crazy how much you want to thank someone, before it eventually becomes weird. Fortunately, we do our best at talking regularly and physically seeing each other multiple times a year.

One of those trips is actually on the books. I’ll be going to Seattle for July 4th weekend, and I couldn’t be more excited. I’ve never been and those I’m going with, we’ve discussed moving there in the next year or two. As a money strapped merman, it’s difficult for me to say no to a new memory, so a couple more trips have already been booked as well. Portland, Oregon is coming up in two weeks with my closest cousin/travel partner, and it’s looking like Nashville, Tennessee for Memorial Day weekend. All three of these states will be states I’ve never been to, so I’m looking forward to scratching them off my travel the U.S. scratch map (and knocking them off my goals/aspirations list).

At this point, this blog could stream into many different routes, but I’ll do my best to bring it full circle, or at least keep the topics interesting. Hope everyone’s enjoyed my first narrative; maybe you can relate, maybe we have common ground, or maybe you enjoyed this semi-diary entry.

Stay tuned – more to come.

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton