Why is it that upon my return to the states, I feel as though I haven’t stopped moving? I hit the ground running – getting back to work, seeing all the people I need to see, celebrating friendships, relationships, family and birthdays. All good things, but I’m tired and I will relish this week of relative slowness.
I am finally getting to a place where I can debrief with myself what it’s been like to come back to the states (three weeks later). Granted, I wasn’t gone very long, but I considered Managua my home for those weeks and culture shock is still a thing when you are deep in the heart of Central America.
My first reactions to being back were: everything is so clean, white, bright and easy. As a society, we are excessive and extravagant and don’t realize the relative wealth we have. The streets are clean, I am not getting whistled at, I can find a seat on the bus with ease, and I can put my toilet paper in the toilet instead of the trash can. I find myself marveling at the simple luxuries of not sweating, of having a couch, of easily accessible food, and of having a refrigerator that is way bigger than my needs. Minneapolis, you sweet, sweet city.
I think my biggest questions now are: how can I find a balance of being an active member of society in my city without being extravagant? What do I actually need, and what do I actually want? How can I spend my money and time in a way that reflects what I care about and what I believe in?
These are questions that are still unanswered, but are important for me to think about in these next months. I am challenging myself to have less and do less this summer, which in this society is very countercultural. Working on slowing down (hence coming up for air), spending time doing things that energize me and spending my money on things that I actually need or on things and people that are important to me.
How can you choose to live with a little less this summer? Instead of coming up for air, just give yourself the space to breath.