One of the strangest parts about living in a city is how things never change and then all of a sudden do. Everything I could ever need is basically available within a five block radius of my apartment. I used to go to this one bodega. It wasn’t necessarily the closest bodega to my apartment, but it was on the way home from the subway. I popped in all the time: for a candy bar after a bad day at work, for flowers on a beautiful day, for a newspaper on Sunday morning. It was a serious part in my routine, as I was there at least every other day. Then one day, I walked by and the doors were shuttered with an apologetic sign saying they had closed… for good.
I missed that little bodega!
The space was for sale… then it was under construction (for many, many months)… and now it’s open again. As a huge and beautiful candy store. Now, it’s not my favorite little bodega, but it’s really pretty awesome. A bizarrely bright spot on an otherwise dreary block. I love it!
If there’s one thing that growing up teaches you it’s that nothing lasts forever. Even things that feel like they will always be there… there might be a time when it’s not. I thought I’d always have the gap in my two front teeth, but it was corrected with two years of braces. I thought I’d always be best friends with someone, but the friendship didn’t last forever. My dream career was abruptly thrown to the wind when I inadvertently created my career as a 19 year old.
And truth be told, my teeth have another funny little gap when I had a growth spurt post braces. I’ve numerous other friendships bloom and fade over the years. And my career can (and will) take some serious twists and turns; I’m only 25!
This is all to say that things start, things end, things come, and things go. (One of my favorite quotations is “Change is the only constant in life.”) With all these changes there could be heartbreak, disappointment, relief… A breakup makes room for personal growth (or even “the one”). A lost job is a chance for a new one! Again, there might be sadness or even a little hole, but be ready for the new.
Who knows? Maybe a shiny, colorful candy store will be moving in its place.
xoxo
That has to be one of the truest quotes out there, change really is the only constant; the older I get the more I realize that change, even undesired change, is usually for the better and always opens up a new door.
Lauren,
http://www.atouchofsoutherngrace.com/
I know this may seem like a silly question… but where are your shoes from? I love them!
they're H&M from a few years ago!
As I've gotten older, I've noticed how fast things change as well. Something stays the same for a while and then all the sudden it's different. Change can be scary, however, I have started to realize that change can be a great thing too! Great post Carly 🙂
Hunter
Prep on a Budget
You always have the best things to say. I completely relate to this and can't even count how many times something hasn't gone the way I've planned, and normally ends up for the best. Thanks for a serious dose of inspiration on this Tuesday morning!
Emily
http://www.workinggirlafterhours.com
Some change I love– like fall leaves or new sheets for the bed. Others, definitely harder to deal with, like switch-ups at work. Its always great to read about the positive outcomes of change, thanks Carly!
I love these sweet little sentiments. And they're oh so true – change is definitely a constant. But would we want it any other way? 🙂
Kaitlin
the-curated-life.blogspot.com
"Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." – JFK
I absolutely love the optimism! This definitely resonated with me 100000% percent and its nice to have this type reassurance once every while that with change comes new and good.
KK,
http://www.klassykalifornian.blogspot.com
My favorite post to date!
This post it perfect. I can't absolutely relate to everything you're talking about! And I also had a gap in my front teeth. Thankfully I only had to suffer through one round of braces.
26 and Not Counting
I don't know how I stumbled onto your blog, but this post was a great read. I also read your "Aha Moment" Great Blogging! Thanks.
that quote is so true, and something i need to remember more often 🙂
xo, cheyenne
I always have to remind myself of this, especially when something good turns bad. I have to remember that bad things can turn good just as easily as good things can turn bad.
~Sophia
http://plaidismyfavouritecolour.blogspot.com/
You're so right.. sometimes change is a beautiful thing!
xoo ClassToCloset
I mean… a new candy store sounds absolutely AMAZING. but then again, how many more candy stores does manhanttan need? it's tough when a routine is thrown off like that.
risinggirlboss.blogspot.com
I think that change is always difficult to accept, much less put into words as wonderfully as you did. Thank you.
Zoe Grace
thepeculiarprep
I like that quote. I had a friendship of 12 years fade into nothing the past year. While it still hurts sometimes, I tell myself everything happens for a reason.
http://www.laviedevi.com
Sometimes we are so focused on where we are heading and what we are doing, that we don't realize how temporary everything really is in the grand scheme of time. It's so important to live and embrace every moment. Life is so short after all!
Thanks for sharing, Carly! This was an awesome reminder.
XO, Chekara | shadesofchekara.com
Very inspiring. Thanks for sharing, dear!
Acacia xx
blog / acacia rachel
I agree with you! I feel like everything has a hidden "expiration" date. Everything must come to an end but the beauty of it is that something else starts.
XOXO JuJu
http://www.jujusmoments.com/
At the risk of sounding like a stalker, I totally know what you mean because that bodega was on my corner. I so know what you mean because it did close down so suddenly! Anyway, I think it's so cool that we share(d) a bodega (weird, I know)