chapter 1: the turnaround
I’ve always been the kind of person who needs change and adventure and newness. I diligently contemplate making big changes in my life and then whole-heartedly jump off the cliff. But almost always, I find myself struggling on the other side of my decision. For a period of time I’m entirely resistant to the changes I’ve made for myself. Eventually though, my innate optimism wins over, and so begins the turnaround.
When I moved to San Francisco in late January I was in disbelief that I’d left my warm, fourth-story apartment for a dark room facing a fence. I didn’t know how to get into my groove again in this new place. I didn’t know where to buy hummus or which bus (other than the 21) to take home. I felt crazy and untethered, and I wondered how I was going to fix my life. I wrestled around with this question for a few weeks before finally abandoning it altogether and instead asking myself: how can I feel good today? I found that the answer to this question was almost always simple and accessible. More often than not, the answer was to be on my bicycle.
This summer I’ll be learning my new city and exploring the best coast by bicycle. My name is Hannah and my bike’s name is Elizabeth — you can call her Betty. Let’s adventure together.
