Over the last couple weeks, the news of places opening up across the country has been my light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve obsessively kept a list of all the dates that gyms, parks, and restaurants will open. I’m excited to be around other people again, even if those interaction will be limited.
I’m grateful to have been somewhere safe over the last couple months, but being alone for so long has hit me hard. Having an end in sight has helped change my perspective to make these last few weeks as productive as possible.
I started taking online courses in video production, launched a new podcast, started virtual therapy, cared for a stray cat, and caught up on overdue reading. I’ve eaten healthier, haven’t had a sip of alcohol in a month, and stuffed rocks into backpacks and turned them into dumbbells. I was determined to come out this as healthy as i can be to hit the ground running.
This isn’t to say it’s been all positive. My mood goes through waves of optimism and positive energy, to feeling down and in a rut all too often. I still work most nights til 2am, sleep way too late the next day, and get frustrated with myself when I miss workouts or don’t push my goals forward. I also lose motivation to share what’s going on in my life. It’s hard to think clearly when you don’t see an end in sight.
But I understand that life is like a roller coaster with many unexpected ups and downs. We truly feel the rises and falls as they unfold and they hit us hard in the moment. But having the chance to step back and put things into perspective - I realize this is just how life is and it’s best for us to enjoy the ride while we can.
So, after weeks of eye’ing the news like a hawk - I finally got some news that sent excitement through my veins: Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon will be opening soon. It’s time for my next adventure - and Southern Utah will be the place to start. I’ll head toward Zion at the end of the week and rest my head in a town called St. George.
In the words of the immortal Tom Petty:
it’s time to move on
it’s time to get going
what lies ahead i have no way of knowing