Unfortunately, this is true. 
I’m leaving Virginia for the time being and I’m taking everything I can with me in a PT Cruiser with no back seats. My car is FULL and I can’t see out the rearview mirror. I think I could be dead by the time you read this since I’ll be driving in rain out of Virginia/Maryland and approaching heavy snow in Michigan.
But maybe like in the Fight Club movie, in death, I’ll have a name. I was going to do a farewell from DC post but now I’ll be creepy and make people look at it as a farewell from life post even though I’m betting against death by fiery car crash.
I know there are quite a few people whom I have met or have become better friends with in DC that I’d like to personally dedicate this post to. But I know that since I’m typing this after midnight, I’m going to leave out one or two people that I really should say a few words to. Instead, I’ll send you all something personal as soon as I get settled in my new destination in the new year.
I feel like I’ve learned way more about life simply by living in DC for 3 years than I would have if I had stayed in Michigan. I believe I’d most likely be doing the same things I had done all my life and hung out with mostly the same people I grew up with. I’d almost definitely still be under the tyrannical dictatorship of my parents (a bit of an exaggeration). I wouldn’t have met my past two girlfriends. I wouldn’t have made a ridiculous amount of money doing absolutely no work. I wouldn’t have made a ton of friends from all over the world that I’ll undoubtedly be in touch with for the rest of my life. I have someone who calls me their very best friend (VBF!) who I probably wouldn’t even talk to today if I wasn’t in DC. I have a great friend with whom I started going to a really amazing church with every Sunday. I’d probably still be going to my parents’ boring church if I’d stayed in Michigan.
I can say without a doubt that I would be a COMPLETELY different person in EVERY WAY right now if I had stayed in Michigan. I think the only thing that would be the same is that I would’ve had a job punching keys on a keyboard all day (for WAY less money) and that I’d probably be driving the same car (or the car that I smashed up before).
The most important thing that I learned while in DC was that taking a ton of money doing a job I HATE is the worst thing I could ever do to myself. I had way more money than I should’ve had and all I did was spend it on CRAP that I didn’t need and barely used. It was almost shameful when I saw all the GARBAGE that I accumulated over the years in an effort to find happiness. I realized in the end that the only way to find happiness is to spend my short time in this life doing something I truly enjoy. Once I did that, I actually looked forward to waking up at 8am and getting ready for my day of what I enjoy. I actually enjoyed my nights of photography instead of wasting away in front of a computer or television. I did those things to avoid sleep because I knew that once sleep was over, I’d have to go back to wasting my youth at work doing nothing at a place I really didn’t want to be.
The one thing that BLEW MY MIND was that as soon as I stopped going to work, I completely lost my urge to drink alcohol EVER. I realized a few weeks ago that the two DIRECTLY coincided with each other. I stopped drinking entirely within a week of no longer going to work. Drinking was my escape from the disgustingly harsh reality that the rest of my life would be filled with me getting bossed around by losers if I didn’t do something about it. And instead of doing something about it, I would escape with alcohol. Unfortunately and very fortunately, I realized that fact only after I took action. Sadly, I still see people my age doing the same thing and I don’t know what to do about it. But now, my life is controlled by me alone and now I feel like a real human. I don’t believe we exist to work for some company all day that will fire you for not coming in by 9am every single day among other silly reasons.
On a more positive note, DC, to me, feels like everywhere else in this country combined. Anything that anywhere else is known for can be found in DC. Name anything and what city that represents in the comments and I’ll tell you where you can find it in the DC area. Whether it be for 6 months or 60 years, I feel that everyone should live in the DC area for some time in their life. I wouldn’t trade my time here for anything!
But I digress. In closing, just know that if you get a call from me in the days between now and January 3rd-ish, understand that, even if I don’t say it during the call, you had a major impact on my life. My life is only going to be amazing because you all were in it and I don’t think there’s any way to repay that but I will make the effort. Even if you’re one of the many people I haven’t spoken with since I left my first job, you all are still in my heart. Even if we had a relationship-ending disagreement, I hope you can look at it as a a learning experience and we can get past it and continue to grow together. I’m going to do everything I can to stay in touch with everyone that I can.
But first, I have to make it to Michigan. 
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Well, I hope you make it back to Michigan. I am sure you will. I’m glad you had a good experience living in DC. Seems as if you met some great people and learned a lot about yourself as well. I hope that wherever you end up next surrounds you with another great experience.
Yeah I made it and I didn’t even almost die. You picked up on the main idea of the post! I’m glad it came out clear. I wasn’t sure if my thoughts all ran together or not.
I’m pretty sure I’ll have a rockin experience at my next location. Life is what you make it.
I like the nice little shoutout about getting fired for not coming in at 9am, haha.
It’s definitely great that DC had such a profound impact on your life. DC has so much more to offer than I ever thought it would, so I can see myself being here for a while if I can help it.
I think everyone should get away from home for some unspecified amount of time in their lives, because you’re right, getting away helps people realize how routine things would’ve been if they never left.
I didn’t realize how great my time in DC was until I was about to leave. But if one little area in this one country can have such an impact, imagine the impact another part of the world has to offer!
YOU LEFT DC???
I too had a wonderful time living in the DC area. As you (and Narendra) said there are so many things to offer. So many different personalities of people and different cultures to observe and experience. I too can’t wait to experience more places so that I can experience even more things in my life and it sounds like you feel the same way.
BTW, I need to get your book back to you. IT WAS GOOD. Better than the movie.
Don’t loose that painting of yourself…it’s worth more than you know. It’s the only piece of art that I’ve let out of my greedy little twinkie clutches.
Did you know that Ansel Adams and Georgia O’Keefe really were? We’re a reincarnation of them. I hope for us to keep in touch and continue to share experiences in life and art.
I love you.
I just saw Harrison Ford get a chest wax, it was funny.
Freddie: Yup I finally left. Right on time I think. I caught all this crazy snow in Michigan. I forgot this even happens!
And you can keep the book man. It’s one of my favorites and if you loved it as much as I did, keep it or pass it on to one of your friends who likes to read.
Janel: I’m definitely keeping that painting. Everyone who sees it loves it and that makes it even more special to me. It’s like people can feel the emotion and love you put into it.
I love you too and I’ll keep you posted on what’s going on. Save up about $1000 and come visit me sometime in 09!
that’s pretty profound..Sometimes you have to change your external environment to find inner happiness. I also agree that DC is an amazing place with amazing people!
Thanks! I thought it was profound too!
DC is amazing and I wouldn’t be surprised if I ended up there again.
Absolutely insightful post. Waking up in the morning and not enjoying what you are doing is the worst feeling ever. I’m starting to get there….though I don’t have the earning power to even justify it.
Good luck reclaiming your joy. Ha.
Man it’s like a whole new life now that I don’t do stuff that I hate ALL DAY LONG!!! I feel like I can actually be somebody and accomplish something worthwhile with my life. I hope you reach that goal you’re shooting for. It makes life worth living.
Yes…working for the sake of money can be akin to torture sometimes, regardless of how much you make. Some people are comfortable being unhappy but rich, I guess you’re not one of those poeple. LOL.
Finding a job that I enjoy that pays well AND never gets uninteresting….that would be my ultimate goal….
But yeah, I got trashed for the first time ever in like 2 years at the company party (And I can drink quite a bit). Something is definitely amiss…lol.
Good luck with the new life, lol, I’m sure you’ll make it work out.
The other day I went to call to invite you out, but remembered you are in South Korea!!! I was very disappointed to say the least
Hope you are having fun. Munchy Toes says hi.
Hey Dia!!!
I’m having a blast here so far! I’ve been here for almost 2 weeks. It’s a wild experience being so far from anything American where almost no one can understand what I’m saying. I still recommend it if you decide not to take that house!