-Eve Ensler
The time has
come. I am moving out of my little Cheery Lynn home. A little over two years
ago I chose to live by myself. It has been undoubtedly, the best decision I
could have ever made. I remember when I was little, my mom told me that some of the best years of her life had been spent living alone. I remember
being in shock: what about burglars? Fires? Creepy people? Who would be there
to save me? And I had sworn from then on, I would never feel comfortable living
by myself.
"If you're lonely when you're alone, you're in bad company."
- Jean-Paul Sartre
My
experience has been quite contrary to my childhood beliefs. I have loved every
minute of living by myself. I have always been relatively introverted. I regret
it took so long for me to get here. Yet, I don’t. It is hard for me to put into
words what I have gained from this experience. Over the past several weeks I
have made a point to make mental images, take pictures, and really appreciate
all that is mine.
"I have to be alone very often. I'd be quite happy if I spent Saturday night until Monday morning alone in my apartment. That's how I refuel."
-Audrey Hepburn
I am on to
bigger things, I am sure of that. I have never been more excited about the next
stage of me. No hesitation.
But, what I
leave behind is a stage of my life I will never, hopefully, get back; a time to
focus solely on myself.
"My alone feels so good, I'll only have you if your sweeter than my solitude."
-Warsan Shire
And all
along, I realize, she was trying to tell me: you can only save yourself.
But, you’re
sweeter than my solitude.
Cheers to
the next chapter.
