2024, Ooof.
I knew over 12 months ago that 2024 is going to be a transformational year. Which can be a challenging thing for an earth sign like me, or just anyone in general who likes the comfort of comfort. With all my stubbornness in moving 14-minutes-by-the-highway/20-minutes-by-the-long-way into the suburbs away, you’d think I were moving across the country. I feel so deeply about where I live, but also feel a little silly for holding on to it so tightly.
The ability to move away and come back, or never come back at all, is a trait that I’ve always admired in people. Over the last year I’ve had close friends move to Upstate New York, North Carolina, and Hawaii. How can they do it? How did they do it?! Anytime when someone makes it out of Richmond, I playfully ask them “what is it like on the other side?”
I was thinking about why I’m having such a tough time, and then did some math. When I was 18 I moved to Richmond to go to VCU. Now, coming up on 18 years later, I’m 36 and still here. In March I will be just six months shy of living in Richmond for half my life! Something else that’s a trip is that during these 17+ years I’ve lived in a pretty tight radius – the farthest east and west I’ve lived is between the Johnson Hall freshman dorm and the 2600 block of Park Avenue. I haven’t even made it to the Museum District!
A problem with me is that I’ve always had a time with moving on from things. Like I said, I just like to be comfortable! When I think about the stages of life that I struggled to leave behind, I was only able to get there from moving on from something before. That’s life!
Richmond has always been my favorite city in the world (other than real cities like Paris and New York, lolz). It speaks to me. My people and places are here. Richmond feels like home. I always saw myself as a constant within the community. I can still be that and have these things, even when I’m 20-minutes-by-the-long way away.
In the photo I’m wearing …
Shirt - Addison Street Vintage / Sweater by Brooks Brothers / Corduroy Pants by J Crew / Belt from Blue Bones Vintage / Beanie and Watch from eBay