Unremarkable Days
If you know me, or if you’ve read any of my 57 other pieces, you know that I’m always on the move. This week...felt different.
“Here is a very normal image depicting a cozy living room scene.” - ChatGPT
I had a really good week. So good that nothing happened. Every day, I woke up at my usual time and got my usual amount of work done. I skipped breakfast like I always do and tried to eat a lot of protein for lunch. I went to the gym, the grocery store, and returned a pair of jeans I should have never bought. I did a couple loads of laundry. I made awkward elevator talk with my neighbors. I took a couple of late meetings and got annoyed at myself for agreeing to them. I didn’t fly anywhere and do anything that I’ve preached brings me joy, and yet I felt good.
When I sat down to write this piece, I couldn’t choose a topic. Nothing stood out in my mind. Should I write about my trainer? Eh, don’t feel like it today. Maybe I should dive into what’s happening in Gaza; that’s been tickling my heartstrings. Or what about a story from the past? Something that’s sure to put me and my readers into an introspective mood. But I don’t want to state anything this week, or make a big deal of any of my thoughts. I just want to appreciate how good it feels to feel a regular good.
If you know me, or if you’ve read any of my 57 other pieces, you know that I’m always on the move. I love concerts and shows and new people and new cities. I love drama and depth and emotions that make me feel high. This week, I didn’t do any of that, I didn’t tap into anything I thought I love. This week, I chose to chill out, breathe in and stay home.
I’ve done this before, and I’ve always felt down after a day or two. I need the stimulation. I need the excitement and newness that comes along with everything that defines me. I feel good though. What happened in the past few days? Did I forget myself? Or, am I finally finding who I really am?
Last week, I was talking with friends about our fantastical Christmas gift wishes. The only thing I could think of would be an unlimited seat on any airline in the world. That sounded like a dream, until I remembered that now I could take a reasonable amount of flights without time or financial constraints and be very, very happy. I shouldn’t place my fantastical Christmas gift wish on something I theoretically already have.
Someone told me that at 27, we finally start to settle down. I thought it was because we feel older. I wanted to battle that. I’ll be young forever. This week, I understand that a little differently. By 27, I am a little older. That means I’ve proven to myself over and over again that I’m not stuck in whatever place I find myself. I can thrive off of all the newness in the world or I can lay low and appreciate what I’m used to. I can choose which state I want to be in and when. There’s safety in being old enough to trust myself for myself. Maybe that’s why I had a really good week.
Having read so many of your pieces, your having an unremarkable week is actually pretty remarkable. Have really been enjoying how your have opened your exotic, nomadic life and made it accessible to us all
“I just want to appreciate how good it feels to feel a regular good.” Something so meditative about this piece. I feel like even for myself, it’s hard to remember to take a second and appreciate a non exciting yet happy moment.