We all know that I tend to romanticize things & perhaps even, I don't know, set unrealistic expectations!? Knowing this tendency, I decided to embrace this next chapter without a real "plan" because heck, I was being offered a chance to explore a new city with my favorite person on the planet - all on a subsidized allowance, no less! How could we say no?!
In some ways, I'd say this whole no expectations thing has been great. Most days, I feel less stressed out & certainly less crazed than I was in NYC. But there's been just one small, teeny, tiny detail I wish I had given some real thought to...
And that is how much I'd miss being close to all of YOU! I took for granted how lucky I was to be just a few blocks or quick train ride away from an impromptu lunch date or happy hour drink on a moment's notice.
Don't get me wrong, D.C. isn't so bad. I really love our new apartment & am having fun learning the in's & out's of a new city. The Metro is convenient, the city is easy to navigate & there are a ton of great restaurants in our neighborhood.
But Brian's hectic work schedule means I'm alone, A LOT! And given my natural abilities as a chatterbox, I think it's fair to say that the hardest part of the move for me - so far - has been the never-ending SILENCE!
Some days, I feel a whole lot like Bridget Jones...ALL BY MYSELF!!!
It's strange not having a real social circle here. It's like being the new girl in class, everyday!
Suddenly I find myself smiling at strangers longer, hanging out at the gym hoping to make small talk with fellow spinners before class & Lord help the poor, unassuming barista who asks how I'm doing without expecting to hear my long-winded diatribes about life in D.C.
To combat this, I'm trying some new ways to help bring a little more conversation into my day-to-day life. I've joined a few Meet-Up groups & have started taking solo expeditions to get to know D.C. better. So far, I've checked out the Botanical Gardens, strolled the Mall from the Capitol to the Smithsonian & even ventured into Alexandria & Arlington for some shopping too.
But perhaps my biggest "all by myself" moment so far was when I went on a movie date, ALONE. It sounds ridiculous, but I've always been kind of afraid of doing that for some reason. Turns out - it's still fun. I didn't have to share my popcorn & I was able to see a movie Brian never would have wanted to see, The Heat. (Which, aside from a few minor chuckles, was pretty bad!) Still, I'd say it was $10 well spent!
I'm not going to lie, it hasn't been easy. But I'm looking forward to seeing what else D.C. has to offer & hopefully, meeting some new folks along the way.
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| Oh hey Mr. Capitol, it's me Ilyse! |
