outside

note: this was written when I was in a very unsure place in my life. I made some changes that directly influence the people that I was surrounded by and I have been able to see a brand new side of "the bubble" and make new, meaningful connections, relationships, and paths.

I go to school at a place that I find myself unsettled. I love the atmosphere of my campus, especially around game-day saturdays, but I still am unsure of how much I want to associate myself with the school itself. I have come to realize that this place is sort of like a bubble. There's more stereotypes and judging eyes than I care for. I'm not sure if it's just what comes with the territory of going to a school in my geographic location, or if it's just what the people at this school are truly like. There's constant one-uppers and look-you-up-and-downers. I've found that when I take a step out of the town itself, and I mean quite literally, I experience a wake up call. Every single time. Trust me, when I talk about my school, I want to brag: "It's absolutely amazing, I love it. Everyone is so friendly and open minded. The Greek system is really close-knit and I love all my classes." I inflate my feelings every time I answer questions about my school. Quite simply, not because I'm lying, but because that's what I want it to be like. I want to not be judged by the letters on my shirt or the car I drive. Unfortunately, that isn't the mindset of majority of this 32,000--and quickly growing--student body. I'd love to know the root of this bubble-like mindset so I could rip it out of the ground. It's nothing to grow off of. Okay enough of the angry metaphors, in actuality, I just want to be able to change the university itself; to remove labels and cliques and stretch each mind to expand beyond the stereotypes and dollar sign measurements.

       I went away this weekend to a completely new area that I had never been to, something I enjoy doing when I can. I met fascinating people, who made valiant efforts to make sure I felt at home and included. They didn't know me, but they didn't care. They wanted to. They didn't snoot their noses and stare at their phones. In fact, I was called out multiple times for picking up my cell phone, "C'mon, enjoy the company around you. You don't need that thing!" Normally, those words would set me off. Instead, I agreed with them. They were great. A couple bowls of chilli and warm conversation later and I was one of them, and they were okay with that. Maybe this university has taught me to see the side of people that is frowned upon. It has allowed me to appreciate when being in a bubble isn't the norm. I do love my university, there are flowers among thorns and I've luckily found some worth keeping for a lifetime; just maybe a little more thorns than I'd choose to interact with. I am sure of one thing, stepping out of the bubble has only further convinced me to travel the world. Undying wanderlust. Maybe I can pop a few more bubbles along the way.

Compact air

             step outside