Another year of college is done. You've packed up, moved out, and said your goodbyes. Finally, it's summer! You can say goodbye to your dorm and textbooks and hello to your family and home. Living away from home can be hard for some. I'm only 40 minutes away and I still miss my family just as much as if it were hours, but college teaches independence and growth. Both of which are keys to survival in the real world, but hey if my mom wants to do a load of my laundry or dad wants to make me a home cooked meal, you can bet I'm not opposing. You know that only lasts short while though until you start hearing "how did you survive at school?" It's different! And I'm not lazy, I'm just adjusted to a different type of schedule. So what if I took all those things I love about being home and all those I loved about being at school and combined them? I'd get this summer.
Ahh, summer! Beaches, bonfires, and relaxation..after work of course. Choosing to move away from home for the summer was a tough one, but I was leaving a typical retail job for something I knew I'd love. Too much was going on back home and I needed a new start. New friends, new surroundings, new responsibilities! And for the geographically challenged as I, many new GPS journeys until I would eventually learn the way. I moved two hours away from home into a summer house with my aunt's family. Just like school, it took some getting used to. I had to adjust to living in a new house with different people with different rules. Having two dogs greet me every time I walk in the house is definitely something I could get used to.
I'm now a month in and I couldn't be happier. Don't get me wrong I miss home and my family immensely, but I honestly believe I've gained even more of a sense of independence being here than I have at school and that I was meant to be here this summer. My new job takes me to an adventure course every day full of zip lines and rope obstacles everyday. Much more my pace than retail. I get to interact with new people and make their experience memorable. And on top of it all, I've made an amazing group of friends at work that have made this place a home away from home and I couldn't be more grateful.
Moving away from home for the summer was a big step for me and I pretty much dove right in, but so far it's one of the best decisions I've made. If I could tell you anything it would be to test the waters first. Go off to college (if that's the path you choose), learn what it's like to live away from home, make new friends, and try new things! And when you're ready, go for it. Go on adventures, be spontaneous, experience life!
