Culture shock

As I have, on several occasions, written here, running is my stress-free place - if not my favourite place. It is a time in my day when I ponder my latest decision or determine the next decision to be made.

These last few runs have been incredibly contemplative. At times, I forget where I am in the route and even miss my turn because of the intensity of my thoughts. What is most prevalent in these running-thoughts is that my ability to slap on my sneaks and burn some energy whenever I want to is coming to an end. I cannot believe this period of blissful non-accountability to anyone other than myself is closing. I chose this - argh!

I recognize that I am going through a bit of a mini-mourning period for my long and non-accountable freedom. Though I am excited about my future career, I am very aware of the time-commitment, not to the mention mental-commitment, ahead. I have accepted work, as we all do, as essential to living life. For example, the future of my travel life depends on getting a job in order to facilitate that next trip.

In all honesty, this one-year period of frugal-yet-dynamic living has shown incredible rewards (never read so much, learned so intensely, or been so content ever before). I had hoped that an entire year could go by without having to return to work. It was a designated time to review my direction, my dreams, and refocus the future. And, it has turned out incredibly well. Thankfully, I got my entire one year off.

So, if I'm a little nostalgic for the remaining time free of work, remember I'm in my adjustment period and I'm nothing less than real in talking about it.