Long gone are the days when we were kids fresh out of college with so much time to spare on our hands. Time to hang out for hours on end and just be. Time to have weekly dinners and all night partying sessions. Time to soak up each others presence but not fully appreciate it in the moment. That’s the thing. We never realize how different life will be once change occurs. I always prized myself on being able to be alone and enjoy my own company. For the most part this is true. But, here in Korea, the ability to enjoy myself alone is being taken to a whole new level.
Before, even when I was alone, there was always someone to call on. With the press of a button, I could get my mother, sister or a friend on the phone instantly. But not here. Here, it is different. There is no one to speed dial, no one to text message, no one to hang out with just for the sake of hanging out. I have to learn to really enjoy being alone. And that is hard, even for me. I am not depressed or anything; I am just in a new stage of having to learn even more about myself.
Before I left home, my mother said this would be a great opportunity for me to get closer to God. I wouldn’t have her or my friends to call on for happiness. I have definitely prayed much more out here and talked to God which is cool. But sometimes, God is so intangible and I still miss having a physical person in front of me. I know I will rise to the challenge of being happy with just me but for now, long gone are the days…
