My Raleigh Challenge, Day 1

Hello, and welcome to my first ever blog post on my photography website. Once upon a time, I had a hiking blog on my former fitness website-- alas, I have let that lapse as my health journey shifted my entire life, I relocated to a new state, and I switched gears. If you're new here, let me catch you up. I contracted Lyme disease while doing my first ever photo session back in CT in 2017. It's been a 7-year roller coaster of remissions, relapses, multiple treatments, all while striving to maintain and grow in my new photography career. Both were slow-going. I'm finally in a better place on both fronts after adding Dynamic Neural Retraining System to my healing regimen. Part of this brain-healing program is Incremental Training, whether it be fitness goals, mental health goals, life goals. My chronic Lyme journey gave me a lot of PTSD, causing me to withdraw from life. To get my life back, I had to start with baby steps: go to the grocery store, join a book club, take on more photography clients. Then I visualized traveling with my family to Europe & made that a reality! The next goal: travel solo somewhere new.

That leads us to this blog post. My husband recently had a work trip to Raleigh, NC. And I joined him, doing my own thing for the bulk of the time. This was a personal challenge that only those who've suffered chronic illness trauma can understand WHY it was challenge. Just know, there's a lot healthy normative people take for granted-- the ability to drive & navigate, to eat food beyond saltine crackers, to walk without requiring many breaks. Suffice it to say, this was a big deal. So without further ado... 

Tuesday: We arrived to Raleigh in the afternoon, settled into the hotel and immediately took a nap! Those quick flights, up-down in a short time span, always do a number on my brain and sinuses. It was hard to leave the bed, with the AC blasting and the mattress so comfortable, and the comforter so heavy and snuggly. But I hyped myself up and reminded myself that I had an itinerary to stick to, and this was a test, an Incremental Training challenge that I was giving myself, and I had something to prove. 

So I headed out by foot to the nearby shops, in the 95° heat with my camera bag across me and my water bottle in hand. First feat: cross 6 lanes of traffic with a 10-second crosswalk! I immediately realized most of these North Hills shops were way out of my price range— $300 for a single blouse?! But I did find one boutique that had a $300 dress on sale for $30, so I bought it just because it was 90% off, & it would be a crime against frugality if I didn’t. I then began my quest for the mural I knew would be in this shopping area and ventured upon Quail Ridge bookstore. As I entered, the waft of new books filled my nostrils with joy, and I strolled the aisles of the bookstore, bouncing from subject to subject, interested in all the things. 

The bookstore made me feel inspired, and I settled into the welcoming nook of comfy wingback chairs to jot down some of my thoughts. I felt like I ought to buy something, for all the inspiration this bookstore brought me, so I scanned the birthday cards section. Bookshops always have the cleverest cards. Then I made my way to the mural. I felt silly taking out my Nikon, so I snapped a few iPhone pics, even a couple timer self-portraits, ignoring any awareness of passersby. 

Next stop: dinner at Coquette’s! Never mind that I just ate some French food a few days ago. No such thing as too much French food, especially while the Paris Olympics were going on. I sat at the bar to not look too much like a loser, alone at a table. But is alone at a bar much worse? At least I got fast service. I ordered the chicken paillard salad for the toasted pistachios of course and a glass of Sauvignon blanc that paired perfectly with my meal. The pistachio vinaigrette was perfection. Everything just tastes better when you’re not battling nausea. Fact. I’d catch myself humming pleasurably whilst eating. I’d eat, then type. The bartender probably thought I was a food blogger, especially after I pulled out my Nikon for photos. That isn’t a bad goal actually.

I’m still a lightweight & struggled with one glass of white wine. I’d sneak sips of water and eat more bread and butter to dampen the effects— at least I think it helps. Side note: I wasn’t the only woman alone at the bar. Two different women did the same. Independent, strong women, I’m sure :) 

​After my struggle finishing one glass of wine, I wasn’t ready when Ry told me to come up to the rooftop bar and meet his colleagues, an aperol spritz ready for me. I was proud of myself for socializing with strangers, giving it the good ol’ Christy charm I used to possess, trying it back on like a coat I haven’t worn in several years and not sure it still fits. Luckily I have a husband who metabolizes alcohol like a champ, & he drank the bulk of my spritz for me. 

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