Embracing the Unknown

It’s crazy how fast time flies. This time last year, I was in England trying to figure out how to spend America’s Independence Day. All week talking to my friends back home, and hearing how they planned on spending the fourth, made me highly homesick.

I don’t look at the Fourth of July as my Independence Day because, in reality, my people were still slaves. Still, being in the country America won its Independence made me a little more patriotic than usual. So, I planned how to spend my day down to every meal. I’m a bit of an over-planner.

That morning I woke up and watched Independence Day, and sadly realized my preplanned day wouldn’t happen. I was initially going to go to Buckingham Palace and take a cute selfie with the American flag. Still, unfortunately, the tube line I usually took was closed. I also intended to attend the American Embassy for a firework show that night. Still, it was canceled as a response to Trump’s visit. I became frustrated and was ready to just cancel the whole day. I knew I didn’t want to stay in the house all day and forced myself to go out.

I got cute and wore my most American outfit: a baseball t-shirt, jean shorts, and converse. I stepped outside and went to the mall to get a cheeseburger and milkshake. Walking to the food court, I decided to go into a shoe store, and I can’t remember its name. That’s beside the point. When I walked into the store, I met this nerdy guy struggling to find shoes. I remember one of the first things he said to me was, “damn, you really look American AF,” which meant my outfit was a success. I hung out with him for the rest of the day, just going with the flow, and had one of the most memorable Fourth of Julys. You can read about that story in a “British Love Story.” Still, today marks the anniversary of finally realizing I don’t have to plan out my whole life for it to be excellent. Until then, I felt like my life was falling apart because nothing was going as planned, and it was too late to get back on track with my original timeline. I don’t know why that day helped me realize that, but I’m grateful it did. I still struggle to remember to stop planning and trying to control life. Each day I remind myself to embrace the unknown and live joyfully.