Autumn is a season; I am a season-al

I'm in the last few days of my season here in Stehekin and am in the process of trying to prepare myself for my next set of adventures. I am filled with joy to live in incredible places and get to know wonderful people, but it's not necessarily easy for me to uproot myself every few months. For many that are living the "seasonal life," the end of a season brings parting with close friends and leaving the home you've made for yourself over the past few months.

For some, the next season means returning somewhere or moving to a new place to continue with plans for work or school or family. For others it means taking advantage of some time off and finally starting a different adventure. And for some, it means entering a life of freedom that is riddled with uncertainty and is both exhilarating and, quite frankly, terrifying.

As should be expected, the plans and emotions associated with processing these situations are extremely personal and vary with each individual. While seasonal life can be rewarding and extremely fulfilling, there are also certain aspects that aren't convenient and can be difficult to handle, which of course is the case no matter what field you go into or how you choose to live your life.

There's a tendency for folks to be curious about this career choice and lifestyle because it's different from what they might consider standard or normal, and that makes sense. Even though it can be frustrating that this topic actually comes up more often than directions to the nearest restroom or trail suggestions and naturalist discussions,  I guess I'm not entirely surprised that people ask me a lot of questions about my position and my life.
Are you still in school? What did you study? Where are you from? How did you end up here? How long have you been doing this? What did you do to get this job? Have you been here very long? Are you here permanently? How long are you stationed here? So what's next?
Their questioning can feel a bit intrusive and it's not always easy to respond, but the difficulty actually lies in dealing with their reactions, which can include intrigue, occasionally shock or concern, maybe jealousy, and unfortunately judgement. For me, I think the hardest part is recognizing the fact that so many other people may see my uniform, my position, my home, my lifestyle, me, as a novelty.
Although I'm not quite happy when a total stranger expects me to explain personal choices or describe my career plans, I am extremely proud of the work I do, the places I live, and the people that surround me.
Getting to know these people and places more in depth than just visiting has given me opportunities to grow in more ways than I could ever imagine (and there's still the whole world for me to explore!). For that, I am grateful, and I don't know that it would be as possible if I didn't live seasonally. Rest assured, I am eagerly anticipating what the next season will bring.