When I left Edinburgh, I cried tears not only for what I had to leave behind but also for everything I came to experience, to love. For all that I gained. But where is that woman I became so proud of overseas? Only remnants of her are left. I feel broken into hundreds of little pieces that I’ve been trying to force fit into a shape which no longer exists.
If a flower isn’t growing how it should, you move it to more favourable conditions for it to flourish. That’s a big lesson I’ve learned, one that seems to cross my mind regularly now, especially after travelling to Halifax and feeling real air, ocean air, salt spitting against my skin. Being so far away from it for so long has left me with a hole in my heart, the depth of which I can’t begin to describe. I know in my soul that there is more adventure and happiness ahead, but oftentimes the big city wares me down to believe I’ve reached my maximum potential and all that’s left is utter stagnancy.
Lately I’ve been afraid of being honest on my blog about how hard it’s been for me in the big city. I’ve tried to maintain an air of positivity about my personal purgatory but sadly, the happiness I feel here appears in small waves stifled by the overwhelming loneliness that comes from living in a place where people are often so disconnected from each other.
I realize it’s all about perspectives. Maybe I just feel this way now because I had a lovely weekend away in a place that has always felt more like home than Toronto. Maybe tomorrow everything will be easier. Depression has a way of doing that to you – suddenly tricking you to believe you’re much less happy than you are in a specific moment.
But the bottom line is, my soul is aching for more than what I think I can find where I’m waiting now, and I reckon it’s only a matter of time before the hundreds of pieces I’ve broken into fly too far away for me to bring back. The pieces that believe in the power of nature, loving everyone and smiling from dusk ‘til dawn every day.
If you’re reading this, I’m okay. Don’t ache for me or anyone else struggling a bit to cope. We’ve made it this far and we’ll continue on. Ache for the experiences you never had because you were too afraid to try. Ache for the people you never got to know because you were too proud to ask for their friendship. Ache for the love you never let yourself feel because anger is easier to bare than the possibility of being hurt. Ache for your life and strive to take the steps you never took before to move forward. That’s all I can do right now. Ache for the life I know would make me happy and strive to make it there as soon as I can.
My partner in crime is about to leave. And while we anticipate this next big step, it’s hard to accept the fact that someone who loves more parts of me than I do won’t be around for a long time. Before we even really got to know each other, he taught me more about myself than anyone ever has – about my propensity to dwell on my imperfections and about the depression that lurks within dark forgotten corners of my mind.
As we struggle to make something work, the romanticism of falling in love with someone from somewhere else has completely faded. The magic from our love has been beaten out of us by arbitrary borders that, from historical evidence, have done nothing but divide us and promote hatred and fear of others. Every time we take a step forward, we fall back several feet into the unforgiving concrete that is thousands of pages of paperwork, all written to keep families apart and force so many to suffer.
This may be the most poetic piece I’ll ever allow anyone to read. I don’t normally write like this, but to be honest, it’s the only way I can really describe what I’ve been feeling. Poetry is overindulgent. It allows writers to brood and extend their verses to anyone willing to listen and feel sympathy. I’ve never been much for producing it, let alone presenting it. But after hearing the pleas of others suffering as I do, as so many do, I’ve granted myself clemency to write freely and put forth the following poem. It’s a snapshot of a hard time from a couple years back. Reading it now and knowing I overcame one of my most prominent roadblocks, gives me hope that I’ll make it through this episode and be fine. It gives me hope that if I overcame my worst, my friends can too. My family can too. My love can too. You can too.
Low point
My brain currently thinks and feels in snippets.
Little moments that flash through my mind like lightning.
Quickly bursting and dissipating
leaving me feeling anxious and uncomfortable in my own skin.
I don’t trust myself anymore.
I don’t know myself anymore.
I don’t laugh anymore.
I just feel.
Desperately feel my insides eroding
and my happiness evaporating
and everything I love slipping through my fingers.
My eyes are open but sometimes I can’t focus on anything.
It’s like there’s a glass wall between reality and me
and I’m floating out into nothingness.
The Abroadening 
Victoria…although we’ve never met I feel like I know you. My heart sank reading your post…you came across like a small ship lost at sea looking for a welcoming port. Wondering where our future holds can be frightening until it happens and we realize that it’s nothing has changed. Take that leap of faith and go with what your deepest desire is pushing you towards. Life is not only short it can be scary. Reach out to those closest to you….you are loved and people care about you. As they say “it’s always darkest before the dawn” but a new day is always ahead…what you choose to do with it is up to you. Where there is despair..there is hope.
Find your passion and you will blossom as an adult….I wish only the very best for you.
LikeLike
Thanks for leaving this message, Lisa. There is definitely always hope and usually I like to speak that way in my posts. But I decided to use this opportunity to show that not everyone is strong and tenacious all the time. It’s okay to be vulnerable and sad and the best way through depression is by recognizing it and embracing it as a part of yourself. I so appreciate you reaching out and your concern! I’ll be alright for sure and Franco and I will make it through what we’re facing and come out stronger. Thanks for these wise words!
LikeLike