Personal

This year, I turned 25, marking the quarter of a century, my silver year, and my frontal lobe is now fully developed... allegedly. To celebrate, I put together a list of some of the most profound learnings I’ve accumulated in life thus far.

A poem about Prescott, Arizona, otherwise known as "Everybody's Hometown". Not all towns in America Possess as much innate charisma, As this hidden gem in the Southwestern mountains Known as Prescott, Arizona...

One of the many inhibitors of creativity is the experience of analysis paralysis. Whether you encounter it in life decisions, such as choosing between career paths, places to live, and what car to buy, or confront it in your creative pursuits, analysis paralysis comes in many forms. Recently, I’ve been battling this phenomenon of mental paralysis over the battlefront of creative writing. With my attention pointed toward other aspects of my professional career for over a year, many months of neglected essay ideas compiled over time, leaving me with a stockpile ready to pick from. Having a surplus of ideas may be presumably creativity-inducing; however, once the feeling of analysis paralysis sets in, it can be challenging to strategize a plan of attack to bring the topics to life.

Next week, I will officially move into my first solo apartment. Yeah, yeah... I wish I had enough money saved to purchase a place instead of renting, but I’m not quite at that position in my life yet. So, this entry is an opportunity to shed light on some thought processes I’ve been experiencing as my days of living at home full-time are coming to a close.

This week’s entry is simply some food for thought.

Most people are familiar with the saying, “It’s not goodbye. It's ‘see you later’.” Although I may have utilized that angle while parting from my college friends, I had a much more contrasting reaction when saying goodbye to the physical location of Old Town Orange. I lived in the heart of Orange for the past four years. What brought me there was my enrollment in Chapman University, a school that is a hidden gem. I distinctly remember the first time I flew out to tour the campus. Although I was invested in absorbing information about the school and admissions, and all that jazz, what sold me on wanting to move there was the simply adorable, humble, and subtle town that Chapman calls home.