I was deciding in between a few different cities for grad school. At the time, Louisville or Denver seemed like good options. But I remember distinctly that my dad urged me to consider what I would be saying no to if I turned down UChicago. "You can't say no to a place like Chicago, Jen." My dad and I visited for the first time in April and that sealed the deal.
Five years later, I’m glad that I said yes back in the spring of 2017. I’m not sure that anything could have prepared me for what the next five years would bring. I’m glad that I didn’t know in advance what I was signing up for. If I had known about all of the challenges, struggles, valleys, highs and lows, hardships, snowpocalypses, and days in which the weather was in the single digits that I would experience, I don’t think I would have signed on the dotted line.
I suppose that’s how life works. None of us can really say for certain what tomorrow will bring. But we have to make decisions and step forward in faith. We have to take ownership of our choices.
Chicago is the first city I lived in post-college, and it is the place where I feel like I have grown into myself. So, whether the growth, self-discovery, and becoming can be specifically attributed to this city, or whether it's simply a result of being here post-college, I am grateful for the ways that Chicago holds a special place in my journey and has impacted me.
In the spirit of anniversaries and reflecting on the past, here are some things I’ve learned about myself since moving to Chicago:
I like living near a large body of water.
Doesn't matter if it's an ocean, a lake, or something in between. I feel like I need to live near a body of water for the rest of my life. Being by the water is my happy place and always feels cathartic and therapeutic. I can’t count the number of times that I’ve prayed, cried, had epiphanies, and found clarity and strength to make a decision I had to make when I was at the lake.
I've come to appreciate having four seasons.
I appreciate spring, summer, and fall, so much more now after living through a few midwestern winters. Living here has helped me to appreciate summer so much more than I used to. It’s also been character-building. Winters are no joke and they are not for the faint of heart. But I kind of like how they force us to slow down, hibernate, and focus inward for a season.
I've become more passionate about running as a hobby.
After I ran my first 5k race on a whim, just for fun, in November 2018, I was bitten by the running bug. It was energizing to run alongside so many other Chicagoans, and I felt accomplished after finishing the race, no matter my pace. Living right next to the lakefront trail during my first three years here made running so accessible and fun. The 18.5 mile long walking/running/biking trail is one of my favorite things about this city and I'm so glad that the city was designed with the public enjoyment of the parks in mind.
Advice I’d give to someone moving to Chicago
Explore neighborhoods outside of the one you live in. Every neighborhood is so different. They each have their own culture and vibe. Don’t limit yourself to the neighborhood or part of the city that you live in. And don’t listen to the people who tell you to never go south of Chinatown for fear that you will be in danger. There’s so much to see and explore beyond the invisible lines that we draw.
Thank you, Chicago, for all the adventures and growth, even if I did fall flat on my face a few times in the process. Thank you for forcing me to learn street smarts. I'm thankful for the friends, friends who became like family, colleagues, and mentors I've crossed paths with here. I can’t wait to see how the journey continues to unfold.
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