This article was written for a meeting of the Writer's Club soon after my move to Steamboat. The prompt was "Behind the Door".
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO- I’ve spent the past two years of my life on the road, a life in which I haven’t called a single place home for more than four months. Home has become an esoteric concept that few understand rather than a physical location where I can put my feet up at the end of a long day.
Every time I move somewhere new, I have to start over again. I have to find a job, a place to live, and a comfortable routine. I have to learn the best way to get to the grocery store; I also have to learn to manage my money in new and unexciting ways. I have to meet new people, and make a concerted effort to put myself out there, even if all I want to do is stay at home and read a book. I have to brace myself for the unexpected uncertainties you find yourself dealing with when struggling to find a new routine. I have to establish a new identity for myself, whether that be as a freelance writer, a photographer, or a kid from the city that decided not to go to law school and is searching for a more fulfilling life.
I never know what to expect when I move somewhere new, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the past few years, it is that I am comfortable being uncomfortable. I’m comfortable with not knowing, and I can deal with the bumps along the way. I can’t be sure about exactly what challenges I’ll encounter, but I do know is that I’m equipped to deal with whatever is thrown my way.
I’ve come to realize that people are much more welcoming than you might expect. The world is not as scary a place as it seems. We find ourselves stuck in routines that we might be scared to break out of, but once we do, communities the world over are willing to welcome you with open arms. All you need is an open mind, and a willingness to learn from others. When it comes down to it, all anyone really wants is to eat and drink amongst friends, family, and familiar faces.
Whenever I move somewhere new, I never know what I’m going to find behind the door. Yet I’ve learned that it’s almost always going to be something worth your time—should you be willing to embrace it. It’s one of the reasons why I’m so excited to call Steamboat my new home, because I’m looking forward to spending time on the other side of the door, and welcoming others who want to join me.