Day 101: Great Adventures Never End
I am a lucky girl. It's hard to remember that sometimes, on those brutal New York days when nothing seems to be going right. But I am.
On Day 101 I took a flying trapeze class at the New York Trapeze School at Pier 40 on the Hudson. It was a stunning late summer day, with the sun shining bright, clear blue skies, and a cool breeze coming off the river. My instructor strapped me into my harness so tightly I was convinced he broke my rib, and after a VERY brief lesson, off we went. The ladder climb may have been scarier than the actual jump, and I found myself filled with complete terror each time I would get to the top. I figured that terror would subside after the first few jumps, but nope. Definitely stayed.
Once you let go, all bets are off. You listen to the coaching of the instructor on the lines, you hold your body to form as best as you know how, and when you jump, you trust the net is going to catch you. My one critique I received was to slow down and enjoy the ride... ironically a life critique in addition to a trapeze critique. I flew. I flipped. I let go and caught the guy on my first try. My friend Samantha came with the two little girls she babysits for, so the pressure was on not to traumatize them. After, the older one, Sadie, asked me if I was going to join the circus. Maybe. After this project, I rule out nothing.
The past 101 days were some of the most unexpected, memorable, and frustrating of my life. I started Day One on May 27th, with a class at SoulCycle. I ended Day 101 on September 4th, with my first flying trapeze lesson, which you can watch some highlights of HERE. And in between, I learned that...
...you don't need to run away to build a new life, you just need to make smarter choices and conscience decisions, right here, right now.
... when times are tough, you do something to fix it. You get a new job, or you find a new apartment, or you ask for help. Or all of the above. Action is the key to unlocking change.
... time spent alone is precious and important, but time spent with family, friends, and loved ones is priceless, and should be appreciated and valued much more than it is.
...the Universe is fielding you signs from every angle, so pay attention. Know which ones to catch, and which ones to let fly into the outfield. They are coming at you for a reason, even if that reason isn't evident quite yet.
... there are pros and cons to self-employment vs. being an employee, and I developed a new respect for an industry I had never experienced before.
... trusting your decisions is the key to happiness, success, and a good night's sleep.
... there is no fear you won't survive when you face it head on.
... nothing is as scary as it seems.
... every day is an adventure, if you treat it as so.
... the best way to become better at anything, is to commit to it.
... there's always tomorrow.
... slow down, and take it all in. When you rush through things, you miss the beauty of what's happening around you.
... it's never too late to do anything.
... as much as I have a bipolar relationship with NYC, at the end of the day, I love the shit out of this city. I just needed to see it from a different angle.
Many people have asked me what my favorite "day" was, and I haven't really been able to pick one. Clearly some have been more exciting than others, but the truth is, my favorite days were the ones I spent with people. Whether it was taking a class, exploring a new city, visiting a museum, learning a "language," or just trying something different, like a restaurant, or a TV show, I've simply loved making memories that I can carry with me no matter where life takes me.
I am a lucky girl. And even though #projectlife101 has come to an end, real life is still very much in full force.
So if you need me, that's where I'll be.
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