Honestly... Have you ever been at the point of realizing a lifelong dream and then found it to be different than what you expected? Like dreaming of a four-year starting spot on a collegiate sports team only to realize you have to pay your dues and work your way up? It's different than you expected right? Well so far, my dream of living in a big city is different than I imagined. It's different than my internship summer in New York and different than the movies and TV. We moved to Chicago a month ago with wide eyes, excited hearts and the vision of a dream coming true. But at first, I didn't like it. In all my life, I never imagined disliking something I'd always wanted, to move to a city. I felt down and depressed... why? Living in the city full-time is different than a three-month stint for a summer, a weekend getaway, an episode of Sex and the City. But over the last four weeks, I've realized that it's a lot like working your way up to a starting spot on a collegiate sports team - you have to have an open mind, a positive attitude, patience and the ability to see wonder in the opportunity you ARE getting. Here's my expectation versus reality: You can't go out and explore ALL the time How is it that characters with ordinary jobs in movies and shows that take place in big cities afford elaborate nights out, big apartments with a view and shopping sprees? Well, they don't... Or wouldn't if it was real life. And when you have a time limit, like a 10-week summer or a long weekend, it's much more feasible to pile on activities, drinks and shopping EVERY day, but that's not real life either. So here we are with a year lease in Chicago and, despite being in a vibrant city, we can't go out every day... What's the deal with that?! If you know me, you know that when we're traveling, we have to be on "Go" every minute - there's not a moment to waste, especially when you're traveling in a big city. There's too much to do, too much to see and too much to eat to be sitting around and relaxing! So, in the beginning of our move to Chicago, anytime we were stuck in the apartment unpacking or choosing to relax and watch TV instead of hitting up a Windy City hot spot, I felt unsettled knowing that we were in such a hopping place with endless things to see and I was sitting inside. My internal battle between my need to be out exploring and realizing that as a resident, taking time to live a "normal" life is necessary, raged on, stirring up feelings that made me down and confused. Then, it hit me. It's such a blessing it is to live in a big city and NOT be a tourist. To NOT have to constantly be on go because WE LIVE HERE and the city is here every minute of every day and we can explore it at our leisure without feeling tired, rushed or pressured... How awesome is that? But even better than that, is the quality time I get to spend with my husband cooking and grilling. Back home, we were notorious for taking our foodie selves out to eat and drink almost constantly, but now, since we can't afford that, we are forced to cook at home on a daily basis and it is SO rewarding. We have a deck at our new place so we purchased our first grill and we both agree that spending time grilling together is the best part of our move so far. We can't see tall buildings from our apartment So, we moved to one of the biggest cities in America with a gorgeous skyline (minus that one building, Trump Tower I think it's called... ewwww), but we can't see a single skyscraper from our apartment windows or on the street when we walk outside. I mean, I knew this would happen since we saw our apartment before we signed the lease and I was all like, "cheaper is better, it's fine," but I didn't realize how frustrated I would get when "living in the city" meant living in a neighborhood with chickens, a view of the highway, lawns and very short, spaced out buildings. HOWEVER, what I needed to realize from the beginning is this: Instead of agonizingly waiting for our once-a-year pilgrimage to a concrete jungle, all we have to do is hop on the "L" for $2.50 and take a 25-30 minute ride into the heart of the Windy City. We can do it EVERY DAY! Besides, cheaper rent is better because of the 10.25 percent sales tax, $15 glasses of wine and endless, expensive "must-do" activities. Also, I'm becoming more and more excited about the area we live in. Like the brimming culture and diversity that surrounds us in our new neighborhood, I've realized that different sections of the city have their own unique vibe and that's what makes a big city so special. With authentic Mexican food galore, sweet bakeries and uncrowded, chill neighborhood bars, Logan Square is really growing on me. Plus, I actually love our neighbor's rooster. Pigeons To add in some comic relief, I'd like to talk pigeons. Maybe it's just me - a wannabe city child obsessed with every little detail about them - so I thought pigeons were cool. They play a pretty big role in "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" so they have to be awesome right? Wrong... so, so wrong. Living near pigeons is nothing like the bird lady in Home Alone 2 makes it seem, it's definitely more like Kevin's face the first time he sees her. Their poop is everywhere, it smells and on my way to the gym on Friday, a flock of them almost attacked me on the sidewalk so I ran into the street. I could have been hit by a car but ANYWAYS... Takeaways We now live in a place where public transportation, walking everywhere and reusable shopping bags are a norm... WIN! And with each passing day I am more and more excited to assimilate into the culture in Chicago that surrounds me - to bring my own unique perspective and lifestyle to it, but to also be a part of this big, bright city. The best part though is taking on this adventure with my best friend and husband. We've talked about living in a big city since the beginning and now that it's finally happening- let the adventure begin! Thank you for reading! I'd love to hear your thoughts on Chicago, a big city move or anytime it took a while for you to feel "at-home" in your dream, so leave a comment! - Karleigh Michele
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Karleigh MicheleIt's me... Authentic, Real, and Honest. Because I believe that's the only way to write it. Archives
November 2018
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