This is a bit of a hard one to write. After almost 5 years in Seattle, I’m afraid that I’m leaving the city. Whether or not this will be my last time living here or not, I don’t know for sure. Regardless, this feels a bit like the close of a big chapter of my life, so I wanted to reflect on that a little here. So, this is equal parts update and journaling.
I came out to Seattle on–almost–a whim. I had just wrapped up Graduate School and wanted to try something very different from small town New England life. I wasn’t sure what I was looking for in the city, but the only way I could describe it was “an adventure.” The only person I knew out here was my second-cousin, so it was about as far from my comfort zone as I could go.
Since moving out here, I’ve lived in three different apartments of various sizes, worked four different jobs and made countless friends. I really came into my own when it came to my asexuality, my independence, and ability to improvise in difficult situations. I started playing Dungeons and Dragons. I (basically) learned how to cook. I really applied myself to my writing and my photography. I had my first serious relationship out here (I don’t know if that ties more into my asexuality or moving, but it’s included in this chapter for the sake of the chronology). I self-published my first book. There were some difficulties along the way, for sure. Being on the other side of the country from a majority of my family was difficult and I had to learn a few lessons the hard way. I was working multiple jobs to make rent (sometimes going 14 or 15 hour days to make everything balance) and none of them were really fulfilling or satisfying by the end.
It’s been a ride of ups and downs. Some of my friends I made within a couple weeks of moving out here and I still see them on a weekly basis to this day. I’ve made some really great connections here and I’ll keep those after I leave. I learned a lot of skills, both professional and personal. I learned a lot about myself and discovered the boundaries that I need to work on for myself.
I don’t know what the next step is now. It’s a bizarre and wild time to move, so most of my efforts has been focused on moving. When I get to my next step, I’ll decide then, but I know that my writing will stay constant. Right now, my writing has been a rock in all the confusion of the world right now. I feel like creating is my therapy and my writing has always been what brings me the most peace.
I move at the end of the week with a very early flight and, as sad as I am to leave the city behind, I’m excited to see what happens next.
If you haven’t yet, go and pick up a copy of Found Mysteries: The Rebirth of Violet Franklin and Other Tales. It’s been doing pretty well so far and it’s been exciting every time I hear someone else has read it.