Hello, here is a life update: IDK WTF I am doing!
For most of the last year I have been making elaborate plans to:
- Quit my job in June
- Temporarily move back in with my parents
- Hike the 200-mile John Muir Trail in July–a multi-week endeavor whose timing would be difficult if not impossible to do while employed as a youth services librarian, where summer reading club requires all hands on deck
- Find a job and move to Boston, possibly in reverse order
However, the friend who I’d been planning to hike the JMT with just canceled on the trip due to health concerns. Although I have been preparing physically, mentally, and legally (*Yosemite’s permit system is wild) for the trip for a long time, I don’t feel comfortable making that hike on my own. But I have already put in notice at my job and ended my lease on June 30, so in July I’m doing something. What? Who knows, man. If you are ISO adventure this summer please hit me up. Otherwise I might settle for a shorter, less mountainous backpacking trip on my own. Baby Cheryl Strayed steps.
Here are some questions you might have for me and their answers, to the best of my abilities:
OMG you quit a job with benefits with nothing lined up afterwards?! In this day and age?
Yep. And I love my job! And I love my coworkers! But I moved here right after grad school just because it was the first job I got offered, and it’s increasingly obvious that I don’t want to live in this location permanently, even though I have enjoyed my time here and met some extremely lovely people here! This is the longest I’ve lived any place since college and it feels like time to move on.
Also, I have been applying for jobs in Boston sporadically and been told by multiple people that public libraries in the Boston area are generally only interested in local candidates. So I’m hoping that if I make myself a local candidate, I’ll find something! I’m a very qualified, great librarian! And if not: I am a marginally competent cashier! I’ll find something! I have savings I can live off of and a Peace Corps-instilled low standard of living. If you are hiring in the Boston area please let me know!
Why Boston?
I haven’t lived on the east coast for an extended period of time before! A lot of my dearest friends live in Boston and I miss them! As a Broadway-obsessed soul I find the idea of being a bus-trip away from New York City very appealing!
When, exactly, are you moving?
My lease in Indiana is up June 30th so I’ll be out of here by then. As to when I’ll move to Boston–that’s a bit more up in the air. My dear parents have expressed flexibility regarding my (and Duarte’s) stay with them. I’ll be looking for jobs and roommates and I’ll be aiming to be out there in August.
Can I help you?
Sure: if you know people looking for roommates or librarians in the Boston area, starting around August, please put them in touch with me! Or just put some good vibes for me in your prayers/on your vision board.
This all sounds like a terrible idea.
a) that’s not a question and b) that’s fine, just keep that kind of talk behind my back, thanks! I know this decision might sound rash and stupid but it is something I have been thinking about and planning for a long time! Even if the plans have already altered significantly from my dreams, I am still excited for this next adventure.