locked out in Paris
This year will be different.
I repeat this to myself over and over again as I sit in a Starbucks in Paris, minutes away from my apartment but unable to get in. I arrived last night in Paris, my sleep-deprived brain and body begging for rest, only to find that my door would not open.
“You’ve got to be kidding me”, I thought to myself. So incredibly close and yet so freaking far. I could see my bed, my couch, my long-awaited rest, but couldn’t access it. It appears that in my absence, someone mistook my apartment for their own and jammed their key inside, losing the struggle with the door and breaking their key off in my keyhole. I, now days after this apparent ‘accident’, stood exhausted wondering why in the world my door wouldn’t open.
This year will be different.
I begrudgingly trudged to a hotel a street over, thankful for a place to sit and dump my 50lb suitcase.
2023 was a rough year for me. In between the cerulean blue waters and travel highlights on my social media was a lot of anxiety, stress, worry, and tears. After some much-needed respite back home in Chicago, I was finally feeling strong again, ready again. I found the little voice of doubt trying to creep back in as my readiness was immediately threatened.
Three days, a lot of money, a new lock, and a considerable amount of stress and sushi later, I finally got to sleep in my apartment again.
Ahhhh… Paris
My little situation, for me, is the perfect example of everything that Paris encompasses; yes, it’s difficult, frustrating, and expensive. However, within that what you find is also a sweet landlord that you shine a light on as he tries to play operation on your door with eyebrow tweezers, friends who text you and say ‘Come over, no questions asked’, family that comes and buys you food over a round of dominos, hotel receptionists that cheer you on with insider recommendations and a smile, and a beautiful city that glistens as you wait and wander aimlessly.
Thankfully, I am on the other side of this lovely welcome back to Paris. I am once again sitting at a Starbucks (I know, I know, very American), thankfully with a different outlook this time around.
This year will be different.
So, to everyone who maybe had a rough year last year, or a rough start to this year, remember there is always a silver lining, even if you don’t see it yet.
locked out in Paris
This year will be different.
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