Big Changes

Alas, I have entered the blog world without so much of a clue as to a.) what direction my blog should take and b.) who will read the damn thing. However, I am trying to make some substantial changes in my life within the next few weeks and thought (maybe) writing it out would be therapeutic?

My name is Kristin and I am a 23 year old college grad living in a mid-sized town in northwestern Pennsylvania. I graduated from Penn State Behrend (go Behrend!) with a degree in Communication and Media Studies. Of course, coming out of college at the same time the economy took a big dump hasn't really left me any room to grow-up. So, I moved into the basement of my parents house to try and find a job and make some money. Living at home as actually been quite wonderful. My parents are always supportive of my decisions and always give me my alone space when I'm feeling like a failure for still living there.

About 5 months after graduation I was able to land a mediocre job as a Legal Secretary at a small law firm here in my hometown. In truth, I loved the job. I learned a ton of useful information in the few short months I was there. Unfortunately, however, the pay was awful and I did not get any benefits, so I had the make the unfortunate decision to leave for a job with better pay and insurance.

After leaving the Law Firm, I came to be the receptionist at a local machine shop. While, at the start of my employment, I was assured that within the next 2/3 months I would be out of this position and into something where I could actually utilize my college degree. After almost 10 months of employment with this company I am still making coffee and rearranging magazines in the shitter. I. Have. Reached. Total. Agony.

(Insert here my aforementioned decision for substantial life changes)

Once I finally reached the end of my rope I took a few months to think about my options for the future. Weighing several out in front of me I have recently decided to leave this state and my parents (something I thought I would never do) behind and move to North Carolina with my brother. Though I don't have an real set plans for my life once I get down there, I'm hoping this move will be one of great self-exploration and one hell of a happiness-finding adventure for me.

Though this seems like such an easy transition for some people, for me it is not. I suffer from severe panic anxiety and I force myself daily to do something that most people wouldn't even blink an eye at (like driving short distances, deviating from any normal routine I have, like taking a different route home from work, and many other little triggers that seem silly). Which is why I think that finally making this big change in my life could be either awesome, or a complete fail. In the next few weeks leading up to my move and throughout the actual transition I'll be documenting my life, feelings and thoughts on my decision.

So, Step No. 1 in my moving adventure:

Quitting my job.

I'll let you know how it turns out.