Finding comfort

As a graduating senior, I’ve lived in this town for almost four years. As a 22-year-old lifelong Hoosier, I’m pretty familiar with the culture of the midwestern United States.
I’ve developed a routine.

The same lunch spots, the same parks for a lazy Saturday afternoon when the weather’s nice, the same beaten path between Ballantine and Wiley, the same bars, shows, bands and meals.

There’s obviously comfort to waking up in the morning and knowing exactly what your day has in store for you.

We’re told it’s one of the principle accomplishments of the 21st century that you can hop in the car, drive 1,000 miles west and still order the exact same burger at Applebee’s you would’ve gotten 500 feet from your own front door.

I’m skeptical.

I’m freshly back from a semester in Denmark, where everything was fresh and new to me and “routine” or “habit” was a swear word that meant you were inevitably missing out on something an amazing new country had to offer.

I have been changed.

That same lunch sandwich that used to be so familiar and reliable doesn’t cut it anymore. I have tasted variety.

I have stepped into the wild unknown of Scandinavian edibles — where herring comes pickled on a slab of rye bread coated in lard, candy is some sort of heavily-salted black licorice and the most exciting part of Christmas is the special beer you can only get during the holidays.

And it was all amazing. To this day I crave Julebryg.

Everything here is so familiar, not just the food.

It’s been both the nicest and hardest part of coming back to this country.
I’m probably not going to turn the corner and find something new and exciting I’ve never thought of before.

The people sitting around me in class probably had the same experience growing up that I did.

I’m a graduating senior, and I have no idea what I’ll be doing on May 11th.

Sure, I’ve got some things in the works. If all else fails, I might just throw a dart at a map, pack a bag and go.

I have that flexibility.

Not everyone is so lucky.

This isn’t to disparage the Midwest, or even the idea of becoming familiar and comfortable with an area or having common experiences with those around you.

Nor do I mean to hold up Denmark as a model for comparison.

Lots of people — most people, I would guess — function best when they know tomorrow will be more or less the same as today.

Maybe one day I’ll feel the same way. I just don’t think it will be any time soon.

­— drlreed@indiana.edu