Inevitably, you begin taking inventory of your things. Can you fit the contents of "your drawer" in a grocery bag or will you need to make a separate trip with a Uhaul? How much do I really need this straightening iron? Can I consider it a spoil of war when I drop the verbal bomb?
If we're sneaky, we begin migrating our things back over to our own home. A t-shirt here, a toothbrush there. Our physical existence in someone else's space changes and becomes smaller and smaller until we disappear.
It's our emotions that require a larger suitcase. The Swiss Army of carry-on bags if you will. It's like packing for a trip where you'll experience multiple climates. You stand in front of your bag, open, full of opportunity, empty zip pockets, nooks and crannies. You're puzzled. How can I go from shorts to pants - and then back to shorts again? Packing-challenged and faced with a deadline where you'll have to get on that plane. Deep down you know though, it's going to be tough to get everything you need inside, neatly without having trouble closing it.
Last week I quit my job.
My proverbial "employment suitcase" had been cracked open for some time. Over the last year I had been trying to figure out what to fill it with and it was a couple of months ago that I decided to open it all the way and start my travels. My friends who know me really well, know that there were a couple of days where I wanted to climb inside of my suitcase and curl up in a ball. I digress.
After an extended search and sometimes lackluster discovery process, I stumbled on an opportunity that would change my perception of myself, the people around me, and would force me to enter the next phase of my career. It's sort of like leaving the country for the first time. This blue book with a hideous picture on the inside gets stamped with life experiences. Your first stamp changes you and you'll never be the same.
I have four days left until I say goodbye to my old suitcase and set my sights on a different route. I've cleaned out my things, prepared as much as I can and my physical self has been tucked neatly in my bag. To be frank, I've been tucking neatly for close to a year - I just hadn't bought the ticket.
Friday, I'll travel both literally and figuratively. After my exit interview and returning my badge, I'll drive to Midway to catch a flight to Seattle and spend time with my sister and her family.
For some reason I feel like I need to document this, as a single girl entering the next phase of my life and my travels.
Any lessons here? I'm not quite sure yet. I have no clue what will happen after Friday afternoon and where I'll end up over the next month during my time off (oh yeah, I said it. One. Month. Off.) I have nothing planned but look forward to wherever my bags take me.
Bon voyage single friends.
S.G.
