So Now What?

I quit my job of eight years, eight months, and eight days (I did HR, I could see that nitpicky information) right before Thanksgiving so I could run off to Australia and marry the man I’ve been pretty much obsessed with since 2014 (no, it wasn’t a Hemsworth. If that were the case, I would be writing this from that continent and not on a half-decade old iPad). So fine, I did that, I came home to Wichita on Christmas Day.

“Cool,” you say, “But it’s March. You’re clearly not working.  How are you affording that? Is your husband supporting you? What on earth are you doing with your time?” I have answers for all of that…

I actually have applied for a couple of writing gigs, but nothing has panned out as of yet. No big deal. Sure, I could look into other fields, but forever the giant child, I have no idea what I want to be when I grow up. However, I do know one thing; this is the best state my mental health has been in pretty much ever and I am fully aware that a massive contributor to that factor is that I am no longer working at the bottom of the food chain for a major retailer. Let’s be real, not worrying about dating anymore is probably pretty damn helpful as well, and no, my husband is not supporting me. I am 42 years old; I’ve lived this long without a man taking care of me, I am not about to start now. Leaving the last job I had a small retirement plan. I didn’t roll it over because with my Melbourne departure date being up in the air, I didn’t want to create more paperwork for something that won’t do me any good in another country. So fine, I’m floating on that (well, treading at this point, I’m trying to stretch it and this economy is crap…).

Why would I eat through my savings just to do nothing? Well, for once I am not doing nothing. Sure, it’s to keep my stress level low with all the move/my son leaving for basic training (and that’s a doozy, I don’t know how I am gonna deal with that, but that’s a whole different story we’ll save for another day), but here’s the thing; I have had ONE big-to-me dream that I never totally gave up on…

Art has been the thing I have loved my entire life that I was actually capable of doing something with. For the past decade, I’ve shown a few pieces here and there, starting with charity events and then moving on to being part of several alt-art group shows (thanks, farlana!) and that’s been fantastic, but my dream? The one I never gave up on? To have my own solo gallery show. I “planned” that like some people daydream about their weddings. Problem is as much as I mentally plotted it out, my own anxieties prevented me from pursuing anything beyond what has fallen into my lap, and this is no exception. Yep, that’s right, the opportunity to have my OWN SOLO SHOW presented itself and I said why the hell not. I’ve done way stupider shit than spend a couple months doing nothing but painting. I am getting ready to move to one of the biggest cities in the world where I know no one and will immediately be back to square one socially. This may be my one and only chance to make my one great big dream an actual reality.  Can I afford it? Absolutely not. Am I going to do it anyway? You bet. I’ve spent my entire life just coasting and never really knowing how to succeed. I don’t wanna be eighty years old regretting never trying. Gotta start somewhere, right? I am the most terrified and excited as I have ever been, I’m not used to being able to make big decisions, and I am making a LOT of them. I’m getting ready to start an entire new life and I’m gonna make a splash (er…a splattery painty mess, is more likely)! I’ll share details after contracts are signed and times/dates are established. I’m stoked to share my chaos with you all!

TL;DR? Gina is not working currently because she is prepping for her first solo art gallery showing. It’s not practical financially, but she is gonna risk it all for her big dumb dream. Stay tuned for details!