The Importance of Exploring Your City

Single motherhood in your 40s can be lonely and isolating. Especially when you’re in the process of learning who you are TODAY and not conjuring up who you WERE. It’s evolution at its finest. You are forced to show up solo and be the bravest you’ve ever been. If you don’t, the isolation will eat you up and you’ll create an identity that feeds on lack and desperation. This isn’t an easy path. It’s brutal and dirty and painful. It’s survival from the start, in the middle, and through the end. But, light *will* appear. Small, hopeful light. And you will start walking towards it. It may be too bright at first, but YOU KEEP ON WALKING. You have to. Even when you don’t want to. You have to. AND YOU CANNOT WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO LEAD YOU TOWARDS IT. This is all you.

Along my personal journey, I have pushed myself to jump out of my safe bubble of home (where I also work, which is a story for another time) to open up my world. To connect. To explore. To live.

Here are some shots of a little exploration I did this past weekend in Midtown Oklahoma City, as well as past explorations I’ve shared on Instagram over the past couple of months. I hope you enjoy. 🙂

MIDTOWN OKC

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Amy Bellgardt (@momspark) on Jan 8, 2019 at 11:20am PST

DOWNTOWN EDMOND

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Charlie, my 10yo, and I made a pact to take mini adventures together when we both feel brave enough to do it. . For 6 months, it’s been just the two of us at home, and most days are full of survival strategies, from getting out the door for school, arriving on time for the next therapy appointment, figuring out a quick dinner option, or searching for a clean pair of socks (that often don’t match) to wear for the day. . But on this day, a last-minute decision made after school, we took an adventure through @downtownedmond. . These are the photos he took to document our bravery. ❤️

A post shared by Amy Bellgardt (@momspark) on Dec 16, 2018 at 7:52am PST

DOWNTOWN OKC

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I took a quick walk around @downtownokc today to take in the holiday decorations, see the @devonicerink, and appreciate our mighty skyscrapers. ❤️

A post shared by Amy Bellgardt (@momspark) on Dec 9, 2018 at 6:34pm PST

DOWNTOWN OKC + MIDTOWN OKC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I had a quick exploration of my city (a goal I committed to myself a few months ago) for #SmallBizSat last weekend. I picked up candles from @okcollective, gummy bear ornaments (a must-have) and a bohemian table book from the @okcpopups (set up in yurts), walked the @plazadistrict, and made new memories with my people, @shuggilippo and @kbaldinger. A good Saturday in the books. ✌🏻#shoplocal

A post shared by Amy Bellgardt (@momspark) on Nov 26, 2018 at 5:45pm PST

DOWNTOWN OKC

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I spent this past weekend looking at this view from my room, eating pie at @piejunkieokc, yummy drinks at @saintsokc, playing darts at @thesipangolounge, loving on my friends, making new connections, and digging my city. #okc

A post shared by Amy Bellgardt (@momspark) on Nov 18, 2018 at 5:54pm PST

MITCH PARK, EDMOND

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Today was beautiful. Simply beautiful. My boy and I walked 3 miles through a fall-colored trail of changing leaves with the wind blowing through our hair like the weather vane we stumbled upon. . Notice the tiny hole in the leaf Charlie picked up and another one in the sun shining through the weather propeller. Surely there is some symbolism there, though I’m not yet sure what it is. . What I do know: today was beautiful.

A post shared by Amy Bellgardt (@momspark) on Nov 4, 2018 at 1:05pm PST

NORTH OKC

 

 

 

 

 

 

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My place for the weekend with @avidhotels while I take on #okc! #avidhotels #ad

A post shared by Amy Bellgardt (@momspark) on Oct 27, 2018 at 7:46am PDT

When is the last time you explored your own city? Had a staycation? Met someone new around the corner? I would love to hear your personal stories in the comments below!

Amy @ Mom Spark

For 16 years, I have been the creator & full-time blogger of Mom Spark. I’ve also created content for numerous outlets such as Good Housekeeping, Better Homes & Gardens, & Huff Post.