Taking on a New City

Graduating college is a fun, yet uncertain time. It’s the end of an era, the closing of a chapter, a time to make big steps.

Graduating during college and entering the workforce during a pandemic is a whole different beast entirely.

After graduating in May, a family member offered me a job working for their company – two hours away from my college town and all my friends. The pay I was offered was higher than any I could have possibly imagined for myself directly out of college. I knew that taking the job would be the best thing for my future. But I was terrified. How was I going to start a new life in a new city, all on my own, during a pandemic?

I didn’t know, but I was about to find out.

Today marks two weeks I’ve been living on my own in Nashville. There have been some really great days and then their have been a couple of days where I want to fold into myself and get in my car and drive two hours to see familiar, comforting faces.

The excitement and comfort of my active social life has significantly slowed down. Most days after work, I’m exhausted and the thought of branching out to socialize with new people is too much. So often I’ve went to the gym after work, came home and made food, and then passed out with Shameless playing in the background, my cat snuggled up next to me.

But I know good things are just on the horizon. I know that I’m where I need to be and that no matter where that is, I still have people that love and care for me and are only a phone call away. I know that COVID can’t last forever (fingers crossed). I know that I will find my people in my new city and that until I do, I can learn to rely on myself and chase some of my goals.