The month of May is proving to be a momentous one as I continue my efforts to form a life back here in Chicago. I’ve finally started a job and become an actual resident of the city of Chicago after spending more than eight months in the unexpected limbo that Evanston proved to be.
Though to an outside observer it might appear as if I’m finally settling into a permanent routine, it feels nothing like that. After many months living by myself and growing accustomed to my own independent daily rhythm, I’m now getting a crash-course on cohabitation.
During the daytime, I’m learning the intricacies and unique quirks of working for a husband-and-wife team and, at night, I’m adjusting to sharing a home with my girlfriend, Elissa. I absolutely could not be happier to share nearly every moment of my waking (and sleeping) life with these three amazing people, but, of course, as with all new developments in life, there are tradeoffs.
Just as much as life is full of change, it is also full of tradeoffs. I’ve come to realize many people view the act of making a tradeoff as a necessary evil, seeing it as having to give up something for something else. We should never have to give up anything we enjoy, right?
I simply don’t see it that way. As long as you have a solid understanding of your priorities, this is a really great problem to have. Yes, now that I’m working full-time, I don’t have as much time to work out at the gym or focus on this blog or take walks along the lake or cook elaborate dinners. But the bottom line is I’ve found a job that I enjoy showing up to every morning and stimulates my mind in all kinds of wonderful ways. For that I am grateful.
And after not having a roommate for seven consecutive years, I’m going through a big-time adjustment at home. What to watch on TV, what movies to put in my Netflix queue, what to eat for dinner, what time is lights-out time. I’ve become so accustomed to not having to think twice about these key aspects of my day. Lights-out time is whenever I’m tired, right? What to eat is whatever I feel like eating, right? Nope. Not anymore.
But I feel tremendously lucky to make compromises each and every day. It means I’ve found someone I care enough about to make these compromises for. How important is it, really, if I catch every Cubs game or every episode of Top Chef? A year ago, it seemed very important. Now, I really couldn’t care less. I’m happy to watch 90210 with my arm around Elissa and her head on my chest. And she’s certainly watching more sports than she’s used to.
We’re both giving up aspects of our previous routines – and we’re both extremely routine-oriented people – but I don’t think I’m being presumptuous when I say neither of us has been much happier at any other point in our lives.
Yes, life is full of tradeoffs. But tradeoffs, while occasionally appearing otherwise, are inherently positive things. Many people find themselves frozen when confronted with life’s big decisions. Fill your life with great things, and you’re bound to make great decisions!
I really dig that you see all these changes in your life so positively. So many people approach change from such a crappy "Lord help me" perspective, it's nice to see someone doing the opposite! And all the great opportunities that have come your way are probably because you've taken such a flexible approach to your life. Life is what you make of it. :)
I also totally appreciate that Gregg seems to have embraced his narcissism, lol!
Posted by: Teresa Basich | May 13, 2009 at 11:48 AM
"quirks of husband and wife team" = will they ever just shut the hell up and work!
Is it narcissistic that in this whole well written and insightful blog post I pulled out the one reference to me. Probably. But whattya gonna do?
Posted by: Gregg aka Big Teeth | May 13, 2009 at 11:44 AM