It is hard to believe that three years ago today, I signed the paperwork and got the keys to the apartment in which I currently reside. There was so much going against me at the time, yet I was so angry about the apartment but as it was one of the last opportunities in my community, I knew I had to embrace it, which after years, I did, and I know that I am in a much better position for doing so.

2020 was nothing short of a wild year not only due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but also the fact that I had a very challenging situation with my first apartment and had to vacate it after almost two years after moving into it. It made me feel as if I was a failure and although I did return to working at the office and day program part time after the initial COVID shutdowns, it too was not the same. 2020 was filled with a lot of changes and me being very volatile due to me not adhering to my medication regimen fully, something that would take three years to fully grasp.

Nonetheless, with my mom working from home at the time and me reducing myself to a staggered schedule due to day program and work capacity issues, among other things living at home with my parents again was a very challenging situation and I knew it would not work in the long run. I knew I needed to get my independence back.

I literally pounded the pavement and did the hard work myself, although I had a housing specialist, due to COVID, they could not connect as they did before the pandemic. I did the research and found each possible potential property that I could be in. I was on the list for the complex that I live in now before I secured my first apartment two years prior, but it was what I feel was a newspaper advertisement and divine intervention that got me here.

The advertisement in question was for a high rise that initially did not have an age limit. After I was told by my property manager at the time would be that it was for senior citizens, I was again felt discouraged. Then the next day, I got a call from the same property manager about this apartment. At that point, I knew that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity because of how hard it is to get in here because at the demand in housing. So, I went and saw what my current home is now.

It isn’t much, but it’s what I need and is suitable for my needs. So, on November 4, 2020, I signed the paperwork and got my keys to what is now my home. In the beginning, I felt a great deal of disgust for what was a true blessing. It was the 22 steps that I had to climb to my apartment, yet they were what kept me active after months prior of not being able to make it through the supercenter or other stores without having the need to sit down. It was also a time that stores did not provide benches due to the pandemic thus making it a very challenging time.

Yet, I was angry that while it was in the community that I lived in for my life, I personally felt that the location was as a punishment for me as I could not do anything and was stuck on an island. Two years later, my mental strength would be challenged again as the bridge that I needed to access to town would be replaced. Thankfully, pedestrians were accommodated through the process, and it has been nearly a year since the bridge has reopened to all traffic, thus making me start to feel better since being here.

2023 had its fair share of mental health challenges for me and I was able to stay here and get through them and as we are in the homestretch of 2023 and at the change of daylight-saving time, I am making so much progress by doing what is right and this home is helping me do that so much. I am in my element and loving life the best that I can. That is all that I can do these days. Life is so good right now and I do not have to worry about it much and that in of itself is a good thing.

Here’s to the next three years and beyond and to the best life that I can have!