10 Years Ago…
I was a junior in college; today I work in a corporate office.
My idea of cooking was buying sloppy joe mix and buns at the Dollar Store or whipping up a batch of Fast Mac (because it was cheaper than “Easy Mac”); today I bring my own Stop ‘N Shop bags when I grocery shop there twice a month and I rarely eat prepackaged food.
I wore men’s corduroys from the Salvation Army (which were too long, so I’d roll up three-inch cuffs which would trap snow and leaves), a striped polo shirt, and my college sweatshirt; today I shop at Ann Taylor Loft and get my pants hemmed (the sweatshirt is still around, but parts of it are literally hanging by a thread).
My alcoholic beverages of choice were Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Zima (with a Jolly Rancher dropped in for added flavor), and daiquiris; today I drink red wine and occasionally a beer.
I lived in a dorm and my only bill was the on-campus telephone (one ring for on-campus; two rings for off-campus); today I rent an apartment and have two utility bills, a cable bill, a cell phone bill, a car payment, a car insurance bill, a school loan, and a credit card bill.
My idea of makeup was Chapstick; today I have a moisturizer, foundation, powder, eyelid foundation, blush, bronzer, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, and Chapstick.
I drove a hand-me-down 1983 Plymouth Reliant (aka “The Bad Peanut” or “The Bi-plane”) and let my dad worry about its daily maintenance; today I drive a 2008 Toyota Matrix and I keep a log of every oil change and every part replaced.
My idea of stress was writing a 10-page paper and studying for an exam with flashcards; today I wonder how I can pay all my bills, save money for a 401K, put money in a savings account, AND have enough to put food on the table and pay for new tires.
My plan was to be married by 25 and have kids by the time I was 28; today I’ve thrown the plan out the window and wonder how it’ll all turn out.
I carried a small wallet on a lanyard (and Chapstick); today I carry a satchel that can tote four small pieces of Tupperware, my wallet, my toothbrush and paste, my emergency supply of medications, my cell phone, my keys, my sunglasses, gloves, headphones, reading material, AND my Chapstick.
I thought I could navigate my way back home from anywhere; today I live in Boston and bow to the city that endlessly makes my GPS recalculate.
I considered myself an introvert and shied away from talking to new people, including people sitting directly next to me in class; today I run/assist with three meetup groups and meet new people on a weekly basis.
I was a year away from graduating and had no idea if or what I would use my degree for; today I’m on my fourth writing-related job (fifth if you count an unpaid internship) and still wonder what my next job will be.
An average Friday night was spent with friends, getting hammered, stumbling back to the dorm, and being entirely too loud; today when given the choice between a house party or sitting at home on my couch, wearing pjs, and cradling a bottle of cheap wine…I’ll still pick the house party (especially if they have beer pong), but it’s 100x harder forcing myself to leave my couch.
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