I have spent 27 wonderful years on this earth, and I've done a lot. But I have not accomplished anything I had originally planned for year 27. When I was a teenager I had pegged 27 as the age I'd start popping out babies. In college, I realized this was ridiculous and decided 27 would be a good aim for marriage.
But here I am. Single in Kazakhstan, and while year 27 was a big one, I can't help but feel like life is finally starting to slow down. Yes I traveled to a few new countries, yes I started a new job, and yes I moved to a new country and made new friends, but this is becoming a norm for me.
It's made me realize that maybe year 28 needs to shift in a new way. If living life in the fast lane, if constantly changing directions has become the norm, then maybe it is time change gears and slow down a little. Time to focus on a few, very important things, and allow myself some time to rest.
Okay... so I may not be totally serious about the rest thing, but I am serious about the focusing on important things. My main goals for the next year of my life is to put relationships with others first. I don't mean I'm going to give up who I am or start hanging out with toxic people, but I am going to put forth more of an effort to be social, and to keep in touch with family and friends from back home. Time zones suck, but I'll figure it out.
Additionally now that I've discovered my love of hiking I hope to continue focusing on building my ability to reach higher places and push myself to try tougher trails, with the intention of eventually planning some holidays solely around hiking. Everest Base Camp, I may not be coming for you in year 28, but maybe before 30.
That's it! My main 2 goals for year 28: focus on relationships, and continue to be healthy and in shape.
Now for my birthday tradition. Year 27 playlist:
February: Rolling Stone, by Passenger
Turning down job offers combined with more confusion about whether or not I should stay in Montenegro created a fear that I would never stop rolling. Surprise, that year 27 is when I decided that maybe I ought to think about slowing the roll. Hopefully I end up in the right place.
But I’m scared I said, what if this stone don’t slow down
Oh just be aware she said
What goes up will come down
And when you do I’ll be around
Oh when I’ve dragged this rolling stone across this land
I’ll make sure I leave this stone in her hand
For we both know too well the rolling stones turn in to sand
If they don’t find a place to stand
March: I listened to a lot of The Last Revel in March for some reason.
April: Crowded Places, by Banks- Not my usual kind of music, but I fell in love with this song while trying to drown out crowds in Greece. Here I started to question my decision to move to a big city, AGAIN. Also, driving around Montenegro in May. Yes Please!
May: Wish I Knew You, by the Revivalists- I had some visitors in May. I felt a little like I was re-living my college days of partying. Every night seemed to involve beers, cards, and eventually deep conversations. Sometimes goodbye tears.
June/July: You would think that given the high emotions of leaving I would have something. I don't. I just listened to this on repeat. My Montenegro song.
August: If I Loved You, by Delta Rae- Kazakhstan and I were not a match initially. This is how I felt about it.
September: The Way I Tend to Be, By Frank Turner- A really good friend sent me this, right when I needed it. I was thinking about how much less complicated my life would have been if I had just stayed in Montenegro.
Some days I wake up dazed my dear,
And don't know where I am.
I've been running now so long I'm scared
I've forgotten how to stand.
And I stand alone in airport bars
And gather thoughts to think:
That if all I had was one long road
It could drive a man to drink.
And don't know where I am.
I've been running now so long I'm scared
I've forgotten how to stand.
And I stand alone in airport bars
And gather thoughts to think:
That if all I had was one long road
It could drive a man to drink.
October: Scare Away the Dark, by Passenger- Just a message I really needed to hear in October
November: Hearts a Racing, by The Bones of J.R. Jones
Don't you wanna see just what this love can do? Don't you wanna see just what trouble we can get into? Our hearts our racing, let's go chase them down We're looking for an excuse to get out of this town
December: What Are You Listening To, by Chris Stapleton- This song made me cry on the streets of Spain on Christmas Eve. I was thinking about everyone back home listening to Christmas music, or not listening to Christmas music.
January: Blues Runs the Game. Travel had started to feel like this. Nights at the hostel alone with a beer and take away. This is not the life I agreed to.
February: Feels like Morning, River's Matthew- I fell in love with this song on February 1st. Happiness.
I am looking very forward to year 28 and all the experiences it will bring.
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| Cheers! |
