One Year, So Many Lessons

It’s been one year since I packed up my little Honda Fit with all the things that made the cut and moved to the Pacific Northwest to start grad school. 

Let me take you back. 2022 was a rough year for me. Rough in the way that I knew I was outgrowing my life and I couldn’t figure out what to do next. During the Fall of 2022, I wasn’t working on any personal creative endeavors. I wasn’t doing the thing that fuels who I am and makes me, me. I even spiraled a little creating a video asking myself: Who am I?

In November 2022, I decided to do a journaling challenge, Jo Club’s first 21 day challenge. I hoped that the challenge  would allow me to introspect on myself and give myself some clarity on what I was going through. 

During that journaling experience, a lot of introspection and talking with friends about what was important to me and my future, I decided to pursue grad school as my next step in life.  

I knew I wanted to move out of Colorado and I thought grad school would be a wonderful stepping stone into this next chapter.

I love Colorado so much. There is something so beautiful about having generations of ancestors before you share the same land. Our ancestral land. I am so honored to call Colorado home, the place where my blood runs thick. 

The thought of leaving the southwest was daunting- I know that sounds dramatic but that’s how I felt. Leaving behind the place that was so familiar to me.

I am not afraid of new experiences. I’m not even afraid of taking them on solo. I love adventure. So why was I afraid to take on this one?

Not only was the prospect of moving daunting, but somehow the idea of staying in Colorado for too much longer was too much to handle. I had to move and do it fast. I think I wanted to rip off the bandaid so I wouldn’t think about it too much. 

After many goodbyes, I was wondering if I should just stick it out in Denver for a couple more weeks? No, Adriana. GO.  

I set my alarm for 6 AM, car packed, said some last minute goodbyes in Denver and headed on the 19 hour drive to my new home. I remember a lot of details of this trip, one being immediately when I got on the highway, a rock hit my windshield and chipped it. My final gift from Denver, sending me on my way.

My first stop was in  Wyoming at a gas station and I found a note that my roommate left me. After many kind words, she said how I was going to meet people that I will love. I CRIED. HARD. Something I am always grateful for are my friendships. Whether they are lifelong friendships or shorter, in passing friendships, I cherish them dearly. Denver has given me an abundance of love in the people I surrounded myself with. I was really driving away from all of that. I thought, there is no way that Seattle could top that.

I dunno… Can you really find lifelong friendships at my ripe age of 26 and in a different state?

UM Yeah.

Check out my last post for proof of that.

After 1,300 miles and many hours. I arrived at my new life in Seattle. And I was ready to learn and embrace so much change.

Here are my top lessons that I learned and am now passing on to you so you too can embark on an adventure of change. Lessons one and two go hand in hand. They come from my heart and my adoration for my people. 

Lesson One

You have yet to meet some of the coolest people you’ll ever meet.

You’re not going to meet everyone who is meant to be in your life by staying in one place. You have yet to meet some of the most impactful people of your life. People will constantly ebb and flow in and out of your life and that is a good thing. Human connection is such an important human experience. Get out of your hometown and meet them, they’re out there. 

Lesson Two

Long Distance is only a matter of physical distance. 

You can be two miles from someone and not keep in touch, so physical distance is no excuse to let friendships fall out. Preserve your connections with your people. Get creative! Send postcards, gifts, voice notes, or have virtual hang outs. I cherish my people so much and as much as I miss them and am having fomo, I imagine they feel the same about me so I do what I can to stay in touch with them. I stocked up on cards, envelopes and stamps so I can write a letter and drop it in a mailbox whenever I feel like it!

Lesson Three

It’s not easy, and that’s okay.

It’s going to be so uncomfortable. But just like turning into a teenager or adult is uncomfortable, you learn to allow that growth spurt to happen. There were so many uncertainties in moving to a new city but eventually you get the hang of it. Every day I was learning new things like: where is the closest gas station or grocery store, what are going to be my new go to restaurants, where can I walk and how can I explore this new city? Finding your new normal can be fun! 

Lesson Four

Moving isn’t vacation, but it doesn’t mean you can’t be a tourist. 

I love traveling, being a tourist and experiencing new cities on vacation. In moving, I realized: moving isn’t vacation but you can do what you can to make it feel like a getaway. It’s not going to be all pleasant experiences like staying at a hotel or vacation rental. Moving is finding the nuance of a new city that you’re going to be spending a lot of time in. My favorite tourist activity has been going to different neighborhoods and finding a new coffee shop and walking around doing some window shopping. 

Lesson Five

Find your community.

Something I am so proud of is the community I created back home. I found the community I needed and surrounded myself with artists from many different backgrounds. I really enjoy community events and supporting local businesses and artists. Finding events and artists is something that takes some work to uncover when you’re not just apart of the community but the events and people are out there. I’m still working on this one but it makes things easier knowing I have every ability to make a new place feel like home.