Having Fun With It

If I’m not having fun with it, then I won’t do it.

Sometime here at CTY I realized this is the mantra I want my lifestyle to reflect.

At CTY, I’m working hard, but having a blast doing it. The work consists of planning activities for the students, running those activities (creative writing workshop and extreme climbing exercises are two of my favorite) and in general, being a good role model for them.

Most days I sleep about 4 hours a night, besides the random narcoleptic moments when I jolt awake sitting beneath a tree, the warm California sun on my face. I only get three days off (3!) in six weeks, but during my time here, I’ve seen a lot of Los Angeles: Roscoe’s, Westwood, the Getty. I went to Sequoia National Park and climbed waterfalls and tree roots. I sky dived.

Did I mention I get paid for this?

In a few weeks, though, I’m returning to Albany, and going back to living out of a duffel bag and sleeping on a couch. I’ll be waiting tables three or four days a week, for 12 hour days. Definitely not my idea of a good time, though it has its moments. What will get me through it, however, is knowing I’m focused on writing the days I’m not working. At that point, I’m doing what I want, my way. I chose my own path. It might mean I’ll drag my feet through shit for the first couple miles, but it’s still my shit.

Knowing I’m saving that money for a trip to Argentina in October for an experiment in ex-pat, minimalist living is a great motivator as well.

If you’re living life on your own terms – no matter how many times you screw up along the way – you’ll have fun with it.