WITH ROOM
“That’ll be $3.50.”
I handed over my “emergency” credit card, knowing my parents would be disappointed in me for paying such a price for a small coffee when they saw the monthly bill. The barista handed the card back to me and turned around to fill the paper cup, when I quickly interjected,
“Oh, and with room, please!”
The aproned hipster turned back nonchalantly and said,
“Honey, I always leave room.”
I smiled as I took the small coffee and went to the milk bar where I poured in the usual 2% with a dash of simple syrup. I couldn’t help but mull over that exchange in my head, being the over-thinker I am. I thought,
“Wow, I’m not so different from this coffee.”
Besides being hot and brown (LOL), I realized I also have room.
I’m a college student, living out some of my most formative years amongst thousands of other young adults going through some of the exact same things. We all had to move away from home and take on New York City on our own, a place that no one would render a walk in the park (ironic, considering there are more parks than the people know what to do with).
I’ve noticed that a lot of young adults going through this time in their lives are insecure about it. Apart from the everyday real-world struggle of pursuing a degree, securing a job, hunting down an apartment for a price that doesn’t make you want to keel over, we’re also trying to find ourselves. Although you’re confident (and glad) that you’re not the same person you were five years ago, you’re definitely not your most mature you. There’s no reason this ‘quest’ should make you feel empty or incomplete – you just have room. Room to learn, room to grow, room to change, basically room for anything.
You’re already walking around on your own strong legs, seeing the world through your own keen eyes, and we know that brilliant brain of yours never stops grinding its gears. Trust in the fact that eventually you will be as “you” as possible, but the fact is you will never stop learning and changing. Even then you should remain open to new things.
This period in your life doesn’t last forever, so embrace it. Try taking a different way to school or work. Order that thing on the menu that always has you thinking, “well that could be good but what if that flavor combination tastes weird?” So what if you don’t like it, you tried it and now you just know one more thing about yourself. If you see something you want, don’t just leave it in your online shopping cart for weeks and then wallow in self-pity for not having the funds to buy it. Work hard, save up and buy that ridiculously overpriced sham for the end of your bed. Who cares if it has no real use, it looks fucking fantastic. Smile or say hi to that hottie on the train (it’ll be way less awkward than periodically glancing up at them and looking away when you make eye contact). Go to a museum by yourself, try your hand at drawing, write a poem. Do anything that will make you think twice about yourself, even if it feels a little uncomfortable. We are so much more impacted by every little thing than you might expect.
Be excited about yourself the same way you’re excited about getting your favorite drink from your favorite coffee shop. Get out there and fill up your cup.