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Last month I wrote a column about how I got laid off that some of you may have read (If you haven’t, I understand, I’m probably not for everyone). I wrote about being happy for the opportunity to have some temporary freedom while looking for jobs. I was optimistic about what lied ahead of me and what I would do with my newfound freedom. Well, it’s a month later and not much good has happened. Instead, my personal life imploded and for the most part, it’s my fault. This last month has been fuckin roller coaster and some recent events have made me realize that it’s time to make some changes.
When I first started writing on this site I wrote under the name “The Man Child”, and I did this for two reasons. 1) Because I was worried that I would get in trouble with my company at the time (turns out they didn’t give a shit); and 2) Because I was, in fact, an adult baby that refused to grow up. I was living the life that most young people living in big cities are familiar with: working in a fast paced industry with 4 nights of happy hours and fancy dinners. Rolling into work on a Wednesday with a crippling hangover being the standard. Getting into clubs, that I honestly hated, just because we had a connection being the norm. As someone who has had a somewhat larger than average ego his whole life, it was fairly easy to let everything go to my head and get carried away.
I know that last paragraph is the epitome of champagne problems, so I want to make it clear that I know how lucky I am to have been afforded the opportunities that have been bestowed upon me. I have loved the time I have spent in New York for the last 8 years of my life. I made some great friends and had some unforgettable times. I built a life and transitioned into adulthood here. But I also built a tendency to act like a real asshole at times. And while the fact that I lost my job has nothing to do with that, other things have gone down in my life recently that could have been avoided if I hadn’t been such a shit head. I certainly can’t blame my surroundings or any particular person for it, I just know that somewhere along the line I lost my way and that it’s time to reset so that I can move on with my life in a better direction.
So as of right now, I’m packing up my bags and heading back home to Chicago. This was a move that I was considering for a while but couldn’t pull the trigger because I had a lot keeping me in New York. Well now, there’s very little keeping me there so I felt it was finally time. This isn’t exactly how I saw myself making my triumphant return back to my home city. For starters, I’m moving back in with my parents until I find a job to get back on my feet, which is the last thing I wanted to be doing at the age of 26. My parents are awesome, but I’ve been on my own schedule and doing my own thing since I was 18 so it’s going to come with some hiccups along the way. For example, I found out my dad doesn’t like when I drink all of his Corona Light, who’da thought? We got past that one after I made a quick trip to the liquor store.
I’m well aware that my situation isn’t ideal and that I’ll have some road bumps ahead. No one wants to think that the life they built has basically imploded and that the only answer is to find a new beginning. But even though some things for me haven’t worked out the way I had planned, I remain an optimist and plan to work on making steps in the right direction so that I don’t repeat past mistakes. Do I think I’ll fully move on from my Man Child persona that I once prided myself on? Probably not immediately, but that will come with time. I honestly don’t know what’s in store for me moving forward, but I know that I’ve learned from past mistakes as well as successes and I plan to build off both.
One more thing: Chi City let’s go..
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@TheKevinC__
@TheKevinC__
I may get some down votes here but man, you’re fucking 26 years old. No one is perfect nor does anyone really know what their doing at that age.You’re supposed to make mistakes, do dumb stuff, make poor decisions and maybe lose a relationship or two. Its not the end of the world that you’re moving home and If you somehow are able to find your true calling in life while being successful and most importantly, happy, before you turn 30…holy cow, you are doing much better than 90% of people out there your age.
Welcome home.
(Potentially?) Unpopular Opinion: pre-douchebag Kanye music is way way way better that post-douchebag Kanye music.
Unpopular opinion? I thought that this was a widely accepted fact.
Is he not a douchbag anymore?
Haha nah, he is. Take it for what it is, but anything post Kim is douchebag Kanye.
This breaks my heart, as a proud owner of a Glow In The Dark tour tshirt from when he toured with Rihanna and Lupe… when he was NOT a douche
Well, New York sucks, so I’d say you’re making the right choice.
They don’t even have the best pizza.
Biased opinion, but Chicago deep dish is the best pizza. Only makes the homecoming better.
We just got a Giordano’s in Phoenix. Went last night and it was damn good. Can’t wait to have my leftovers for lunch.
Giordano’s has locations outside of Chicago? Fingers crossed for dinner, their pizza is amazing. I don’t care if people call it lasagna.
*for Denver. Freudian slip.
Wrong.
Get outttt
Thin crust pizza? No thank you, I’m from Chicago.
Being 25 and still haven’t moved out of my parents house. PGP
I’m currently in the same situation brother. Hang in there! But real talk, thank you for this post. You’re right – sometimes you just gotta hit reset and move in a different direction to reach happiness (or whatever the hell it is you’re looking for).
Holden, enjoy the rent free life
Just left DC to move home to Chicago for similar reasons. I started to find my way back on my feet, and every day is getting better. You’ve got this!
Hey man, I just want to reach out and let you know that nothing is that bad. I mean, it could always be worse. I mean, think of what would happen if we stumbled into a nuclear war. It wouldn’t take many detonations between 2 idiotic countries (or more) to cause a nuclear winter that would last 5-15 years, slowly killing off vegetation, animals, and humans in a viciously cold and dark way. The explosions are the last thing to worry about since those are more localized. Even if you make it out of the decade long winter, the soot and explosions would deteriorate the ozone layer causing a. Unclear summer for eternity and no ones gonna survive that shit. Talk about new beginnings lol
That’s why I invested in snowplow and sunscreen manufacturers.
And bulldozer manufacturers and excavation companies for….stuff
I’ve been stuck in the same dead-end job for 4 years, and this morning I woke up to 2 more rejection emails from potential employers. Hang in there man, it has to get better. Enjoy the home-cooked meals.