Unemployed Kat

Carrie Bradshaw, the fictional protagonist from Sex and the City, once said: In New York, you’re either looking for a job, a boyfriend, or an apartment.

Well, I think things in DC are done a little differently, but as of last week I’m 0 for 3 and still trying to wrap my mind around these considerable life changes.

Here’s what’s up.

I quit my job. Not because I didn’t enjoy the work, not because it wasn’t a good fit. Just… because.

I gave up my apartment. Despite the sweeping views of downtown DC and the charming balcony overlooking a small communal garden, the exorbitant rent was no longer feasible as a job-less, adventure-seeking millennial.

I ended… something. A relationship? A friends-with-benefits situation? A months-long hookup? We never even DTR’d so I’ll spare you my attempts to describe it. Needless to say, it is no more.

So here I am. Hi.

Truly “Unemployed Kat” for the first time since I started this blog nearly a decade ago.

I’m also, potentially, “Homeless Kat”… but with a roomy Honda, a tent, and a sleeping bag, I’ve got options.

What’s next?

I literally do not know.

I’m actively not looking for a job, a boyfriend, or an apartment. I get to be as free as I’ve ever been or will ever be. There are no bosses to report to, no landlords to argue with, no roommates to disappoint.

I have a single task over the next few months, and it’s as simple as keeping myself from being murdered in the woods or getting mauled by a bear. I get to explore, adventure, wander. I can wake up with the sun and go to sleep when I’m tired and ignore my computer for weeks on end.

How exhilarating is that?

One day, not too too far off from now, I’ll inevitably make the leap back into the real world. You can’t ignore it forever, after all. My brain will start to feel soggy and slow and I’ll be desperate to let all those responsibilities and professional experiences come flooding back.

But until then… I’m going to embrace every second of being the real Unemployed Kat.