outside

I’ve never been a club person. Being sober, I’ve either been the designated driver or the photographer but I’ve never enjoyed the experience of clubbing outside of being with my friends.

I love being in community. I’ve come to enjoy group exercise classes, book clubs, and niche events.

I moved to Houston in 2020 at 20 years old. Due to the pandemic, introversion, and recovering from familial trauma, I didn’t truly begin to explore Houston until 2023.

2023 was the best year of my life so far. I became an avid concert goer. I explored Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio. I became a tourist in my own city.

City life has transformed me into a person my teenage self would be amazed by. I walk around the city, explore different parks, and participate in events I find on social media. I enjoy events centered around books, working out, and intellectual conversations. I run toward events that cater to my interests and tend to avoid events hosted at clubs.

I think the club is a waste of time and money. There’s loud music you can’t control, expensive drinks, and usually people standing around recording to make it seem like they’re having a better time than they are. You can play your own music, buy alcohol for much cheaper at the store, and enjoy your own company or the company of those you know and care about at home.

There are different definitions of “outside” to me. Outside to some can mean clubbing, bar hopping, and paying for a section, but outside to me means going to the park, building community with like minded people in safe spaces, and moving my body in group settings. There’s nothing wrong with either definitions of outside - and it’s absolutely possible to what’s listed in both - but I’ve truly found myself in the latter.