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Hello from Chicago!

I have been in Chicago for a little over a month now, so I thought it would be a good time to talk about my experience so far.

I moved here the day after my 30th birthday and when I got here, I was feeling VERY anxious. I had a hard time sleeping (and I still am) and my mind would not stop racing. I was feeling sad and depressed. “Did I make the right decision?” “Should I stay here?” “Should I go back home?” “I miss my family already.” “I miss my friends and a certain someone.” I was really struggling and that’s ok. It’s ok to be uncertain sometimes but of course it doesn’t always feel great. I was worried if I did come back that people would judge me and I would be embarrassed. I spoke to my therapist about it and we came to the conclusion that if I did move back to Michigan that it would be perfectly ok, and I don’t need to worry about what others think. I need to do what is best for me.

Luckily, I was staying with 2 very good friends and they helped ease my anxiety. Thank you both!! I had planned to stay with them for a few months until I was settled in here and then find my own place. Well 3 weeks in, I found the perfect apartment, signed a lease, and moved in! Which was even more stressful. Now I’m locked in for at least a year which terrifies me. My parents came and brought me all my larger things and the entire time I was terrified that I had Covid and that I was going to give it to them. Even though I had been quarantining and not going anywhere. Being a hypochondriac during a pandemic is not a great feeling to have. I also had to set up all my utilities and internet and what not. Which was stressful for me as well. My parents also brought my dog, Stella, which I was super excited about but, you guessed it, it was very stressful. Stella barks at EVERYTHING she hears. She is not used to living in the city and hearing all these noises. She specifically does it in the middle of the night, which is partly why I have a hard time sleeping. I am also not used to being alone, so that is a big adjustment for me as well.

Needless to say, this journey has been full of anxiety, but, now that I am settled in and am getting used to everything, I am feeling so much better. I love the area I live in. There is a cute little park I take Stella to everyday just down the street! There is every kind of food you could image down the main road I live off. My apartment is super cozy and decorated to reflect me! The best part, my 2 friends live a mile away so we can hang out whenever we want! I’m feeling much happier and am so excited for the adventures to come. So far, my favorite adventure has been dying my hair pink! I hope to do big things and chase my dreams!

Anyway, the moral of this story is that it’s ok to feel uncertain or even sad about decisions that you make. It can be stressful to make big moves, but you never know what’s waiting for you on the other side. In my case, things turned out great. If it didn’t, I would have moved back home and tried something else. Do what is best for you and what is going to make you happy and what is going to make you live your best life!