I've discovered that we all tend to put things off with the hopes that we will have more time or motivation to do them later. Similarly, we do not partake in all of the fun activities and adventures we would like to because we fear we don't have enough money or time to deviate from our work and responsibilities. We push things to the future, both exciting and mundane, expecting that there will come a day in which we eventually fulfill these tasks and dreams. The truth is- and it's a cliche one- we might not get to see tomorrow, next week, or next month. Those things that you keep pushing to tomorrow, next week, or some other time in the future, may keep getting pushed until you don't have any days left.
Now, I could be referring to chores and work, and things people typically aren't too excited about. Maybe you've heard the rule that if it takes less than five minutes and can be done now, just go ahead and do it. We should all stop procrastinating, blah blah blah. That's not what I'm talking about today. Surely there's a trip you've been wanting to go on, a new restaurant you've been wanting to try, or a person you've wanted to go see. I'm sure you have dreams and aspirations of going out and having fun and trying new things. So tell me, what's holding you back? You're gonna go do these things someday, right? So why not today?
Since I was 13 years old, I've been wanting to visit Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is the hometown of Mac Miller, my absolute all-time favorite artist. I've been listening to him for years, went to a few of his shows, and even had tickets to finally meet him in November before he passed away in September. Needless to say, I was devastated. That man saved my life with his music, videos, humor, and kindness. I was so excited to finally meet him and thank him. I've grieved and grown, but since then, my desire to go to Pittsburgh has grown stronger every day. I may not get to ever meet him, but I could go see where he grew up, recorded songs and videos, and ran around. 13 year old me had always wanted to go, but 19 year old me needed to. I kept telling myself I was going to go, and just never made the time or the plans. I had this burning desire in my heart and I knew I was capable of making the trip, but I kept putting it off.
Finally, this past weekend, I got the opportunity to go. The anniversary of his death is September 7th, this upcoming weekend, but I can't be there because of work and school. However, I had Saturday off of school this past week for Labor Day, so I decided that I was finally going to make the drive to Pittsburgh. I reached out to one of my friends and asked him to go with me so I wasn't alone. We both work and go to school full-time, so it was going to have to be a 1-day trip. We drove 5 hours there, spent about 7 hours in the city, and then drove 5 hours back home. We woke up at 5:30 am on Saturday, got ready and headed out the door at 6:30, and made it there at about 11:30. We were running on hardly any sleep, hadn't eaten anything, and had homework to do. I have blisters on my feet from wearing heels, I bled through my pants from my period, my car now needs an oil change that I can barely afford, and we are both behind on homework, but it was one of the best days of my life.
Mac is plastered everywhere in Pittsburgh. There were murals of him, carvings and writings of his name around town, and pictures of him in windows. I got to see Blue Slide Park, English Lane, Frick Park Market, and Homewood Cemetery. I got to contribute to a mural and see a mural that Mac once worked on when he was 16. I got to meet one of Mac's friends and one of his former teachers, both of which assured me he was one of the most incredible and talented people to exist. I ate at Mineo's Pizza and went to a record store. I even got to see the high school he went to. It had been my dream to visit this place for years, and I finally decided to spontaneously make the trip. It's the best decision I've made in a while.
That being said, there is always going to be something holding you back. There are always going to be plenty of excuses to not go or to wait. You may be short on money, you may not be getting enough sleep, and I'm sure you have plenty of work to do. But find that one reason to go, and make it work. I'm a poor college student, working full time and barely making enough money to live on, and getting 4-5 hours of sleep a night if I'm lucky. I'm drowning in homework and responsibilities, all while trying to maintain my creative works and a healthy social life. So I know you can do whatever it is you've been wanting to do. Spontaneously go on that day trip or go visit that friend. Bring somebody with you. Split the price of gas, take turns driving and sleeping, and do your homework on the way. Stop making excuses! It may not be a perfectly crafted plan or the most rational thing you do in your life, but it'll be memorable. 13 year old me would be so proud of 19 year old me for finally fulfilling one of my dreams. I promise, it's worth it.
Here are some pictures of my trip, along with a link to a video I made!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhvryrwsIcI&t=9s
Now, I could be referring to chores and work, and things people typically aren't too excited about. Maybe you've heard the rule that if it takes less than five minutes and can be done now, just go ahead and do it. We should all stop procrastinating, blah blah blah. That's not what I'm talking about today. Surely there's a trip you've been wanting to go on, a new restaurant you've been wanting to try, or a person you've wanted to go see. I'm sure you have dreams and aspirations of going out and having fun and trying new things. So tell me, what's holding you back? You're gonna go do these things someday, right? So why not today?
Since I was 13 years old, I've been wanting to visit Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is the hometown of Mac Miller, my absolute all-time favorite artist. I've been listening to him for years, went to a few of his shows, and even had tickets to finally meet him in November before he passed away in September. Needless to say, I was devastated. That man saved my life with his music, videos, humor, and kindness. I was so excited to finally meet him and thank him. I've grieved and grown, but since then, my desire to go to Pittsburgh has grown stronger every day. I may not get to ever meet him, but I could go see where he grew up, recorded songs and videos, and ran around. 13 year old me had always wanted to go, but 19 year old me needed to. I kept telling myself I was going to go, and just never made the time or the plans. I had this burning desire in my heart and I knew I was capable of making the trip, but I kept putting it off.
Finally, this past weekend, I got the opportunity to go. The anniversary of his death is September 7th, this upcoming weekend, but I can't be there because of work and school. However, I had Saturday off of school this past week for Labor Day, so I decided that I was finally going to make the drive to Pittsburgh. I reached out to one of my friends and asked him to go with me so I wasn't alone. We both work and go to school full-time, so it was going to have to be a 1-day trip. We drove 5 hours there, spent about 7 hours in the city, and then drove 5 hours back home. We woke up at 5:30 am on Saturday, got ready and headed out the door at 6:30, and made it there at about 11:30. We were running on hardly any sleep, hadn't eaten anything, and had homework to do. I have blisters on my feet from wearing heels, I bled through my pants from my period, my car now needs an oil change that I can barely afford, and we are both behind on homework, but it was one of the best days of my life.
Mac is plastered everywhere in Pittsburgh. There were murals of him, carvings and writings of his name around town, and pictures of him in windows. I got to see Blue Slide Park, English Lane, Frick Park Market, and Homewood Cemetery. I got to contribute to a mural and see a mural that Mac once worked on when he was 16. I got to meet one of Mac's friends and one of his former teachers, both of which assured me he was one of the most incredible and talented people to exist. I ate at Mineo's Pizza and went to a record store. I even got to see the high school he went to. It had been my dream to visit this place for years, and I finally decided to spontaneously make the trip. It's the best decision I've made in a while.
That being said, there is always going to be something holding you back. There are always going to be plenty of excuses to not go or to wait. You may be short on money, you may not be getting enough sleep, and I'm sure you have plenty of work to do. But find that one reason to go, and make it work. I'm a poor college student, working full time and barely making enough money to live on, and getting 4-5 hours of sleep a night if I'm lucky. I'm drowning in homework and responsibilities, all while trying to maintain my creative works and a healthy social life. So I know you can do whatever it is you've been wanting to do. Spontaneously go on that day trip or go visit that friend. Bring somebody with you. Split the price of gas, take turns driving and sleeping, and do your homework on the way. Stop making excuses! It may not be a perfectly crafted plan or the most rational thing you do in your life, but it'll be memorable. 13 year old me would be so proud of 19 year old me for finally fulfilling one of my dreams. I promise, it's worth it.
Here are some pictures of my trip, along with a link to a video I made!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhvryrwsIcI&t=9s
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