My arrival in Olcott was a lot like my honeymoon, high anticipation crushed by high expectations. It sounded terrific, turned out slightly unsatisfactory.
That was my first impression of my Airbnb. But wouldn’t you know, I came to be obsessed with that fucking place. Like, enjoyed never leaving that tiny cabin obsessed. What started as a place to crash that wasn’t a couch, turned into a complete weed-infused self-love oasis. #noregrets
As I rolled up to the mysterious land of Olcott with my ‘minimalist’ belongings spilling out of my F150, I quickly recognized the ‘cabin’ from the Airbnb photo. After a quality 10 minutes of trying to unjam the lockbox on the side of the house, I made it inside. The perfect hook to hang Indy’s leash greeted me, at least until the hook fell right off the wall. Continuing on, I discovered a few more unsatisfactory things. The windows were fogged with dirt. Screens missing. The fridge light decided to go on strike. All the buildings surrounding this one were vacant….for the amount of money I dropped, you know, a few unsatisfactory things.
Things that made my eyes welt with little unsatisfactory $2k tears.
But, I took a deep breath, shoved that spoiled only child voice down, and decided I was going to love this weird little cabin.
I moved in. I allowed myself to get comfortable right away. I convinced myself that I would find the great things about this place.
And you know what? I did.
Indy & I walked the concrete pier at sunset. We found smiles and waves. We found a secret beach to hide out. I was gifted with the history of the area by the owner. He informed me that my only job while I stay here is to develop an idea of what he should do with the large, vacant building next door. You know, just one of the lovely unsatisfactory empty buildings. I asked him what it was before; a skating rink was his reply.
The more I stayed, the more the small town grew on me. Locals were friendly. I could walk everywhere or nowhere. I had bonfires beneath a beautiful oak tree every night. And all the time in the world to work on my beloved writings and videos.
*Spoiler alert, that last part never ended up happening, but something even more remarkable happened. I used all that time for me. Sure, I continued my normal obligations, but something shifted. I became delightfully happy and comfortable being with myself. I couldn’t get enough of it! Small inspirations of why I felt specific ways, did certain things, what I wanted in this life, even what I deserved. All made possible by the peaceful isolation of the unsatisfactory cabin. It turns out it was exactly what I needed after all.
Nothing like my honeymoon, just to be clear.
To end this on a note of potential inspiration, I know not everyone can simply up and leave for a month to the nowhere town of Olcott. BUT, I cannot recommend the idea enough. Wherever you are in the world, take that small amount of time for YOU. For a few days, a week, whatever you can muster. Isolate yourself. Put you first. Fall in love with a place you never thought you’d be. You never know what you’ll find.
