The Forest Dweller

Oh loves, I am still so happy.

My life is fitting together like a dream.
I left LA because I was unhappy.....but I didn't think New York would be *this good.*

I wanted a community.

I learned back in school to bond with the people you work with, as they're the ones who understand the most: how to be proud of the filth of the job, how to find happiness during the most difficult of times, how to feel human after a day of being mistreated.

And I tried to connect to my coworkers in LA, but car culture changes so much. One of my colleagues told me "I go to work and then I drive home to my real friends."  A car can take you so far, you don't need to spend time with those around you. And that's how some people prefer to maintain their work/life balances...but when you start over in a city, you're coworkers are often all you have.
So I tried to assemble a wreath of loves, but could only find a few twigs.
And at my happiest, I would have a forest of people to love. I want to go camping in my adoration, look up at the redwoods of my heart, be in awe of beauty of those I care for.

......and I've found them....already.  Sure, they're maybe saplings, not giant oaks just yet, but they're already growing. And more seeds are branching off them, begetting more and more friends... a tiny woods of community. ...Already!!

And I'm weird. I'm used to maybe one in ten tolerating me, and perhaps a sixth of them actually investing in a friendship. And even then, I'm the strange one. My quirks are eccentric, cute, funny, perhaps even appreciated...but not many feel passionate for the things that I love. They like that I like them, but they don't understand them.

I like stones and essential oils and the things you cannot see. I love people and think children are incredible. Creating art is my addiction, allowing inspiration to guide me like a soaring on a magic carpet. I love French and romanticism, language and linguistics, timeless and visceral music, learning as much as I can and also (figuratively) demolishing the standard structures of education and society.  I care about people that society doesn't understand, learning how to communicate more empathetically, being the ally I needed when I was in their shoes.
And I also love glitter, my sharp nails and lipstick.

In less than two months I have met about five people who also feel every single one of those things.
In my life, I've maybe met three that understand half that list.

I've decided that my little friendship park is coven. When I told two of my new friends, they were so happy that the three of us giggled maniacally for about two minutes. People who've known them for a few years see us talking and not in approval. And we're so happy about it, we each tell someone new each day, and our coven is growing.

And beyond this, the ones that get me on a cosmic level, the others are amazing. They understand pieces of my passions, and want to learn the others. I feel respected and appreciated, genuinely cared for and so so happy.

Of course a job is still a job with its own waves of emotions and struggles....but the people.... I'm growing my forest; I found my home.