A different version of TMI Tuesday

Since I’m recovering from the half marathon, trapped at home (YET AGAIN) due to inclement weather conditions on the West coast, I figured this was the time to talk about resolutions for this year.

I had somewhat of a quarter life crisis when I went home for Christmas. I have now been on the West coast for a year and 8 months. Just a few short months ago I would have told anyone that I was going to stay on the West coast forever, that this is where I would eventually find a husband, have kids, continue my life as a triathlete/runner and work until retirement. Then I went home for almost a month… and I started to think about (for lack of a better description), the meaning of life.

Spending a few weeks with my family always brings up feelings of how much I love being able to see them anytime I want. My parents are amazing and I want them involved in my kids’ lives. So I’m still single and kids are not even on the radar for another 5+ years, but I’m a planner. For the first time since I broke up with my boyfriend of six years (in July 2005) I am starting to feel anxious about not knowing what my life will look like next year, two years from now, five years from now. I STILL don’t feel like I’m ready to date, but I’m stressed about the big question marks lying on the road ahead. Including, is “the one” here or back home?

The original plan was to start the process of buying a home in the Seattle area in September, 2007. The plan is now a little different. The resolution, come September, will be to either continue to put a stake in the ground here and start house hunting, or to start exploring the process of moving home. Moving home will be a big deal, relocating AGAIN… but more importantly having to find a career path that presents as many opportunities as the one I am in here. It also means facing the tough questions of what I will have to give up if I move home. Being able to spend time and train with my wonderful friends is a great blessing. Having to leave them would be heartbreaking for me. Moving home I’d be closer to family and other great friends. But I would also be moving to SUPER cold winters and brutally hot and HUMID summers that make maintaining a healthy, balanced and active lifestyle almost impossible and much less enjoyable. I hope it doesn’t seem like I’m basing a huge decision on “weather conditions”, rather the quality of life that comes with it.

Net net is that I still have no idea what my life will look like down the road. I’ll take comfort in knowing that no matter where I end up I’ll be near people that I love and that bring so much happiness into my life. And at the end of the day, no matter where I am, I can put on a pair of running shoes (with more or less layers of clothing) and go.