Looking back on a year ago today I may still physically look similar, but there’s something about the look in my eye that indicates things are different… I look both focused and happy.
After college I didn’t have much of a plan. With a liberal arts degree in hand and no drivers license I had to settle for telemarketing job that I had to either uber to ($100 round trip) or have my boss drive me (my mom would have to drive me to her house). The only thing worse than pestering folks for a living was the reality that I had no freedom to do things on my own time, each day took away another piece of me until I broke.
With my physical and mental health in shambles I quit in July 2025. I needed time to recover and come up with a plan, fortunately my parents continued to let me stay with them and telemarketing did pay well so I had a personal financial cushion.
So I took my time to rediscover what I enjoyed, to get myself back in shape, & to figure out what to do as a guy with a political science degree. I was constantly walking outside, biked for miles just to get to the gym, and thoughtfully wrote down policy ideas.
The first true step was getting my driver’s license, had to go to special therapy to sort out my neurodivergencies and even learned how to box (helped with spatial relations)… and something that once seemed impossible became a reality last September. At 23 years old I finally got my drivers license
Unfortunately some friends I had showed their true colors as I was working on myself. Maybe they were jealous or maybe we were never really friends. I needed people to help lift me up, not insult me and talk behind my back. It was a difficult lesson, but I realized I deserved better so I kept moving. My real friends showed up for me as some others faded to the background.
It was scary to start looking for jobs again, but this time I knew I could do it on my terms. My love of the outdoors and desire to work with government inspired me to pursue positions with the Department of Natural Resources and last month i officially started my new position as a Park Ranger. The pay is ass, but this is the best job I’ve ever worked so far. I actually have energy to do things outside of work and my job enables me to remain physically active.
I went on the first date of my life last month and while we mutually agreed there was no connection between us I still had a nice time and really got to take in the gravity of what my self-work has enabled me to do… there is no way I wanted my parents to drop me off for a date at 24 years old 😂
And now I’m mere days away from signing a lease and renting my first apartment. I’ll finally be moving out of the house I’ve lived most my life in. My parents are really proud of how I’ve been able to recover and they’ve got my back. I’ll only be 20 minutes away in downtown, but they assure me I always have a place with them if I need it. I love them to death but it will be nice to be able to have people over and go out on my own terms!
So yeah, that’s where I’m at today. A bit paralyzed with positivity. Not used to things going so well, but this is the direct result of the work I’ve put in and the people who care. Just gotta take a deep breath and keep taking it a day at a time on my terms. Things will continue to work out as long as I keep myself honest and consistent. I dunno what I’ll do for sure yet, but for the first time in a while I’m excited for the future.