It has been way over two months since I moved to the small country of Japan. One could say that after a month or so you get used to your new life and fall into a routine. This is not necessarily true in my case. As the days turn into weeks I have fallen into a routine that brings serenity into my day to day life. But I'm not exactly used it. 

I wake up daily at eight in the morning. I make breakfast. I wash my face and do the morning necessities. I speak to my parents on the phone while eating, getting dressed and all the jazz. Then I go to school, go to the gym or my teaching job, return to the apartment and study. Occasionally I stray from this routine and find something to do after my classes end. 

The thing about me is that I have learnt that living alone is not as fun as I imaged. I always pictured this perfect image of my life and how everything would be if I was alone in my own place. Oh how wrong I was. While I did image this in the states rather than in Japan. The feeling is the same though....I suppose. 

I am no longer lonely. I have made a handful of friends whom I can turn to so I can spend a day with company. 

I am still alone. 

And it is not something I find comfort in. Yes, there are wonderful sides to living by yourself. For starters, I can drink out of the jug without guilt. There are moments I feel guilty for drinking water out of my jug and then I remember...I'm not sharing with anyone...and then I remember that I am alone. 

Sure, I can strip my pants off the minute I step through the door, but I'm not exactly that type of person. 

I could turn up my music, rock out and dance, but I'm mindful of my neighbors. 

I can cook whatever I want, whenever I want. Then I remember there is never food ready for me unless I make it myself. 

I had drawn this beautiful image full of freedom and excitement. And the image was true on the freedom and excitement. The beauty of it is not all there. 

It's is funny, because introverts are know for enjoying solitude and I find that a complete lie. Yes, I like solitude, but only when I need to unwind and need personal space. Other than that, I hate solitude. Solitude sucks. 

In moments like these I ask, "Would dorming be better than having my own place?" Then I remember, that I'd be sharing space with over 25 people and I push those thoughts away. Sharing is caring, but there is only so much sharing I can do before I want to push someone into a bush. 

Living alone truly has been an adventure in itself. I have grown to appreciate my parents a lot more, and everything they do to keep the home environment homely. (Also, constantly having to do dishes sucks. No one to share the chore with. )

I'd say everyone needs the experience of living somewhere without their parents. But I recommend not to do it alone, unless you really want to. Like really really want to. 

I’m in a new place, and alone. But I am trying to accept that this an experience that is helping my comfort zone grow. Experiences I need to travel through. Being alone does not always mean being lonely, and that is what I am trying to achieve. I am no longer as lonely, but being alone was not all that it was cut out to be. 

I will continue moving forward, because the world is beautiful and only those willing to take the necessary steps are able to truly see it.

I am what you call an introvert. For those who don't know an introvert is "a shy, reticent person" by textbook definition. There may moments that I feel adventurous or daring, but 75% it is an actual effort than a natural feeling. I tell myself that I am shy because I'm not a people person. It's not that I am not a people person, it's that people terrify me. Strangers terrify me. If I am given the choice of staying in a quiet place or going to a wild party...well I think you know where I am going with this. 

I have recently moved to a new place, far, far, far away from the four wall establishment I call home. I know moving so far away is considered daring and adventurous, but in reality it is much more. It is a drastic change in your life, and well change is scary. 

Being in a new place, you are far away from everything you know. The streets are new, the people are new, daily life is new, everything is new! 

I always joke that I want to go on a big adventure like the all the stories I have ever read. So when an opportunity for an adventure opened up, I wiggled my arm out of my comfort bubble and grasped it tightly. And now...I'm on my adventure...but I am internally screaming.

I’ve trying to say yes to more things, but by saying yes I step further away from my comfort zone.

Baby steps though.

Everyday try something new, even if it is something small. It can be as small as trying a new flavor of a food you normally eat or as extreme as going to someplace new.

Sometimes it is our fears that hold us back. The idea of the unknown that is lingering out there. 

I’m in a new place, and alone. But I am trying to say yes to new experiences outside of my comfort zone.Being alone does not always mean being lonely, and that is what I am trying to achieve.

Because the world is beautiful and only those willing to take the necessary steps are able to truly see it.