A Long Time Away from the Library
I stepped inside a physical library for the first time in probably six years this past week. I was quite stunned when I realized that it had been that long.
Sure, I’ve checked out books through Overdrive, but I have not stepped into a building. Whew! Why?
Many folks might be thinking that it was the pandemic that caused me to stop showing up in person, but that is not the case at all. Something else happened six years ago that (I feel) began to change me:
The Life Detour: Becoming a Park Ranger
In 2019, I was hired as a Park Ranger. In 2020, I went through six months of training at the police academy and became a sworn officer (which is required in the state where my park was located). I loved so much about that job and was quite happy about it. I got to live in the park, work in the woods, and help people.
The downside to that was that the energy I expended as an introvert interacting with people throughout the day caused me to want to basically hibernate when I was off duty. It’s not that I never left the house when I was off duty, but I didn’t really have to very much. My husband generally picked up what we needed on his way home from work. It was pretty much an introvert’s dream, really.
Moving, Transitioning, Reconnecting
When we moved to South Carolina in 2024, and I had to go out to change my driver’s license and other in-person necessities, I realized that it felt a little weird mingling with people again as a civilian.
After the move, I was busy the rest of 2024 building the framework to support my writing and creative goals. This year is shaping up to be more about reconnecting with the world in the ways that are most meaningful for me. That started last week with the library.
My Library Card Moment
I finally realized that I would need to go into my local library to get a membership, even if I still chose to check out books through Overdrive. I made the awesomely-short distance to the building, signed up for my library card, and then stood in awe of the many, many books. It was the most natural thing to begin roaming the aisles and gazing up in joy at the towering shelves filled with the labor and love of so, so many creatives.
I was limited to checking out three books on my first day.
I checked out three books.
I will be back for more.
When Was the Last Time You Went to the Library?
Are you a library regular or a returning wanderer like me? Have you had a “reconnection moment” recently that brought back something joyful? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
Let’s keep finding our way back to what feeds us. One overdue adventure at a time.