The Here and Now

I have recently discovered, I’m at a point in life were change is needed. I had been living with my mom and brother in an apartment that seemed as if it was shrinking. I had been slowly losing all privacy. Every time I would leave the house or arrive back home, I would receive the third degree from my mother. She would ask several questions in a row without even letting me answer the first one. I grew tired of the constant feeling of always being watched. I felt that it was time to start a new chapter in my life and was ready for the next phase. I decided to make the decision of moving out into the world on my own.

I started to look for local apartments in the surrounding area. I had started to fantasize exactly what the ideal apartment might consist of and include. It would be a one bedroom, in a newly built or renovated apartment complex, with a decent sized kitchen, stainless steel appliances, an island with granite countertops, dishwasher, onsite parking, laundry, a pool and other amenities. As I started my apartment search, I realized it would be much harder than I imaged to find my ideal apartment for an affordable price. I never had to pay rent before and didn’t expect apartment prices in this area to be that expensive. I felt defeated in my search to find my own place to live. In order to find a place, I began to realize, I had to give up on my dream of owning my ideal apartment. I started to search for places in my price range. After a few months of searching, I finally found the perfect place. 

Although this new apartment isn’t as fancy as I originally imagined, it does have a few of the amenities I was hoping for. I was able to find an affordable place in the vicinity of my school and work. I originally wanted the apartment to be in a big complex, but I was able to find a smaller complex with more privacy. I have my own private entrance and a long driveway with plenty of space for parking. The apartment itself is on the older side, but the inside is newly renovated. I have a large kitchen with new cabinets and countertops. I also have a recently renovated bathroom with a beautiful fixtures. Throughout the apartment there is gorgeous darkly stained hardwood floors. I’m slowly gathering the finishing touches to make this apartment my own. I’m extremely glad and ecstatic that I made the decision to take the plunge and move out into the real world. At this point in life, I feel like I’m truly a responsible adult and I’m very proud of myself. 

When I stop, I notice…

When I stop, I notice

the simplicity of life’s surroundings

When I stop, I notice

the trees’

winding,

intertwining,

and never ending

branches

When I stop, I notice

the changing autumn leaves

attached to those trees

ablaze with color

brilliant and bright

a festival of all fall's colors

When I stop, I notice

the crisp air

moving in wonderful ways

through branches

as they blow and sway

every which way

When I stop, I notice

the crunch

of fallen leaves

beneath my feet

When I stop, I notice

the aroma of

pumpkin and cinnamon spices

When I stop, I notice

foraging squirrels

and chipmunks hiding their nuts

When I stop, I notice

cozy autum days

and crisp fall nights

are here to stay

the most colorful

season of the year