Cawffee Tawk Ventin'

As it's been quite some time since my last post, I'm unsure of where to begin.  It feels like I was just venting about life going into 2014 thinking about how reality was starting to kick my ass when now we are heading into 2016.  The same feeling exists with varying extremes.  Instead of feeling like life is kicking me in the tush, an overwhelming emotion of the year has been gratefulness.  Events and situations have been thrown on me that made me realize how special and important and altogether too short life can be. 

As I sit here sipping from my #cawffee mug (best gift of the year) thinking about the past few years, I am easily overwhelmed.  It has been quite a year to say the least.  Stretching back to almost two years ago, this roller coaster ride has had it's many ups & downs, twists & turns, abrupt stops and full blast adrenaline pumping shots forward.  Emotions running wild.  Feelings of confusion, happiness, insecurity, growth, loneliness, and love all coming to the forefront competing for their chance in the spotlight on the stage which is my life.  At times feeling consistently stuck & longing for something of which I am unsure.  Other times I sit feeling content & happy with those who surround me.  The mind is a funny thing.  It can be used as a tool to propel yourself in any direction you choose.  It can also be the deadbolt in place keeping you suppressed in ways you can't describe.  Whether those reasons holding you back are tangible, mental, or self imposed the mind is the greatest battle field of all. 

I've come to realize that life is unexplainable & unexpected and we are all very much unprepared for what is has in store.  As many of us twenty-somethings and beyond are in search of our happiness, life can seem cruel and unfair.  Hello, here's an obstacle for you to jump over.  Oh wait, now you can be happy for just one second.  Time's up, let me beat you down once more.  Ok, you're good to go on your merry way.  Just kidding, here's another wrench to unscrew the nuts & bolts you've worked hard to put in place for your life plans. 

I certainly am not solely speaking for myself.  This is a constant in many lives. This is also only looking at one perspective of negativity in life.  Is it not the negative aspects that make us appreciate all the positive? We may learn from the mistakes and hard times.  They may be the reason why we can enjoy and cherish the good.  Analyzing such things is enough to drive anyone mad.  Such is life I suppose.  Though focusing on the positive can be truly trying and exhausting.

Aiming to look past a death in ones family.  Trying to figure out the next best step for you & your family.  A diagnosis that feels like a stab to the heart.  The loss of a friend feels like a punch to the face.  A break-up that feels like a knee to the groin.  All adding bruises that stay beneath the service and, however unlikely, push you forward. 

As 2016 quickly approaches, I've realized that however unintentional, I have grown as a person.  Truly grateful to have met or just interacted with various people who have opened my eyes. 

Friends who've had successful relationships and goals obtained.  Friends who have been struggling to find their niche.  Helping each other to take the next step even if small.  Feeling secretly jealous of best friends getting married and having children all while being tremendously overjoyed for them.  Such events throw loneliness in my face while at the same time give me hope. 

People who you spend most of your time with throughout the day showing you the kind of person or life you'd like to achieve one day.  Or not.  Giving you different perspectives and ways to approach life.  

Multiple, yet brief, relationships have taught me what I want and what I'm not willing to compromise on.  They've taught me that I am special and unique.  I am caring & kind.  I shouldn't change my goals or beliefs to feel 'normal' whatever that may mean.  These romantic (or far from it) situations have also opened me up to expressing my true self.  They have opened me up to my family in ways I didn't plan.  They have also made me somewhat more comfortable in my own skin (it's a slow process in this area).  Being seen by many as sexually confused, that abnormal guy who hasn't been in a serious relationship, they were always questioning if I'm gay or straight or asexual.  Yes, that has been said.  Hurtful comments only adding to my confusion growing up.  Recently realizing the fluidity of love is where it's strength lies. Love for yourself is key.  Love for another is selfless & amazing.  Family member or friend.  Acquaintance or familiar face. Boy or Girl.  Love is love.  I'm just me. 

2014 is comin' up fast

Apparently, I'm no longer good at keeping up at writing new posts. My excuse is that life has taken over and the monotonous reality of adult life is all too consuming.  Sadly,  that is the case for most people my age which is something I'm beginning to realize.  Just graduating from college, finding a new job, paying bills & student loans, trying to find your purpose in life are all issues on the minds of many. The focus of many twenty-somethings boils down to soul searching.  Searching for the job that speaks to you, searching for true love, searching for what to do next.  People always say that your twenties are the best years of your life..  That thought has yet to cross my mind. 

No, these years have not been horrible.  No, nothing negative has happened.  No, I really have nothing to complain about. 

My quarter-life-crisis-thought-process has taken over and the realization that my friends and I are growing older is hitting me.  My self-consciousness and self ridicule are going strong. 
 
Let's break it down..  I've done the math (very loosely):  9 out of 10 of my friends is in a relationship.  5 out of 10 of those is in a serious relationship. 3 out of 10 are engaged. Here I am, my lonely single self - the 1 out of 10, typing up a blog post while a friend texts me that she is engaged.  For serious.  Literally best & most ironic timing in the world.

As I sit here and type this post about being lonely & semi depressed, I start to question why.  There is no reason to wonder why I'm the only one of my friends who is single.  No reason to question my life and purpose.  No reason to think that there is something wrong.  I am a successful 24 year old, with a roof over my head, a job in New York City, with loving friends & family and am the sole reason for the pressure I'm feeling.  It is all in my head.  (Something I am still learning and repeating to myself).

It's time to focus on the blessings and less on the what-ifs.  Life is full of what-ifs and infinite possibilities.  Not all people are lucky enough to have the simple blessings that most people take for granted.  That is the moral of todays worries. Spread happiness & positivity and stop questioning silly little things. 

That is my cheesy, semi-depressing, semi-positive seeking rant for today. At this point, My Life After Copenhagen is all over the map :)