Everyone keeps asking me, “Why did you move to New York from Florida? Its usually the opposite.” I usually just say, oh for a change of scenery or I wanted to live in snow, but the real answer is I felt stuck: like nothing. I just graduated high school not knowing what the fuck I’m supposed to be doing with my life. All of my friends were going to college and I was just waiting for something to happen to me. I was initially going to enlist in the Air Force right after high school, because my dad had that expectation of me. After traveling to Europe for my graduation present, I immediately realized that enlisting was not my path. So now not only were my friends going away for college, I literally had no plan and my dad was pissed off at me. I worked summers at his work and that summer was the worst. I always felt like I did something wrong and it was all my fault for leading this plan on, but it was not my fault at all. It was not my fault that I realized that being controlled by the government was not something that I was interested in. Not only that but my friends have already been distancing themselves from me since a few months before graduation. They were all hanging out without me without telling me why or if I did anything wrong. So, I felt stuck while everyone else was moving on with life. I’m very fortunate that I have family here that owns a business. As soon as I saw they were hiring, I called my second cousin asking for a job. With me being family, I didn’t even need an interview. I moved to New York from Florida in one month and I was the best thing I ever did. I love living alone from my chaotic house, love making new non-asshole friends, and I love figuring out life. Since being in NY I’ve really done some soul searching. I’ve hiked mountains, went to Canada, and caught up with my huge family. I still have a LOT more healing to do, but this is just the start.

Love you guys,

Lin