Where I’ve Been
Hello my friends. I wanted to acknowledge the elephant in the room instead of just dropping a piece like it’s nothing after over a year.
This was a hiatus I was not expecting. Safe to say life has been quite hectic since the beginning of 2024. If you don’t mind, I’d like to fill you in on what’s been going on in Alli-land.
Last February I got an internship in the field I was strongly feeling drawn to. At the time I was 100% convinced I wanted to do large-scale events (think weddings and the like). The good news? I learned about myself and found that I do not want to plan weddings and large-scale events where I’ll never see the attendees again. I also realized the need to work on my task prioritization (whoops). The bad news? Career uncertainty (insert a gasp and dun dun duuun noise here). It was an interesting experience that made me question a lot about myself, including my worth if I’m being honest. It’s hard to feel capable as a beginner when you’re surrounded by people so good at what they do, you know? Just not the environment for me is all, nothing wrong with that.
That gig ended in May.
In the beginning of April I started personal assistant work for someone I had met through dog work. It was remote until June but safe to say I had my plate loaded with school, an internship, and a job.
That was fun actually! The people in my circle got the run downs of this gig from time-to-time, specifically at the end (lol). I had really neat opportunities and the best parts were how laid back my boss was and it not being a traditional 9-5.
I met really neat people, got to travel for free, and hang out with my soul dog on a daily basis in between other duties.
Unfortunately that ended with The Events That Went Down™ (a name I coined for privacy and iconography) in October, leaving me with a cool scar and lots of free time.
The good news? Even though there were days I felt like such a floptina at my job, I really enjoyed the nature of this work and found it kept me entertained. I discovered my yearning for remote work (or at least hybrid) and confidently settled into the realization that I would love a nontraditional not-sitting-at-a-desk-9-to-5 job. I also need to do something different everyday or I’ll go Britney Spears February 2007.
Could it have used a little more structure? Maybe. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Did I apply to PA and EA roles in Chicago? You bet I did.
I graduated in May (we won’t even get into that meatball sub of a time) and that weekend spent a week and a half touring Denver and Chicago to see where I wanted to relocate down the line. Denver was…okay. All love no hate, but I was thrown off by the lack of people strolling Downtown on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon. Where is all the action? Shows? Picnic blankets? Anyone? Beautiful, yes. Me living there, no.
Now…
Chicago!
Let me give her a second to have her spotlight.
I landed in Chicago and felt in my soul that this was where my next home would be. The parks. The hustle and bustle. The public transportation (I yearn for something more efficient than Boston’s MBTA). My GOD, the ARTS AND CULTURE scene!
I toured an apartment just to see what I’d be working with. Loved.
I drove all around the neighborhoods and found the ones I gravitated towards. Loved.
I ate so much food. Loved.
Bavette’s. More than loved- ascended to heaven, really.
I walked and walked and walked until my legs hurt and just fell into awe with the energy Chicago holds.
“Boston but better,” I would tell people.
That was the beginning of my obsession and ultimate goal.
June and July were spent apartment searching. My first time living with roommates!
This was a decision I had spoken to my therapist about for many months prior. It was something I felt I needed to experience in order to work on my tendency to control and overall cohabitation skills.
On July 11th, we signed our lease. Keep in mind I was under the impression I’d be in Boston for another year and a half as a PA.
Come October I was job searching (remember- cool scar) and ready for a change.
Unfortunately change doesn’t come overnight and a lease you legally bound yourself to for 12 months really does mean legally bound for 12 months…whoda thought?
Have you ever experienced such a strong and overwhelming sense of “I need change,” but an equally strong “I’m scared of proceeding and I’m finding myself pushing it off?”
That’s where I was. Applying for jobs but overwhelmed by the idea of finding a subletter, moving my things, finding a new place, and coordinating this orchestra.
It didn’t help that job was step one and without job I couldn’t sign a place and without job and place I couldn’t find a subletter and so on and so forth. I was living in a giant dominoes arrangement.
Eventually I listened to myself and took a step outside of the box that was telling me there was only one way to do things.
I found a subletter and decided to regroup in my roots in Pennsylvania. This is what made sense for me. And I am happy with the decision. I feel inspired to write after a year of not giving myself this space. For the first time since the start of last year, I feel peaceful.
And so on March 10, 2025, just four days shy of the 4 year anniversary of moving to Boston, I said goodbye.
There were plenty of other small tidbits of events I want to talk about, but I’ll save those for the future. For now, you get the SparkNotes highlights.
So here I am, writing this from a little riverbed in Pennsylvania, laptop propped up on my foot, listening to Lighthouses by Joe Pera Talks With You, soaking up the sun and air, beginning a new journey.
Thanks for being my friends, even if it’s just for a short while.
You’re so loved.
Xoxo,
Alli
