"Beach Adulting 101" by Alice Osborn

– apart from the parents

Finding her first apartment on her own, she relied on homegrown judgment and a little luck.

Alice Osborn is an author, musician, and editor. In the past 15 years, Alice has taught thousands of aspiring writers from 9 to 90. A Pushcart Prize nominee, her most recent book is Heroes without Capes and her latest CD is Searching for Paradise. Previous poetry collections are After the Steaming Stops and Unfinished Projects. The President of the NC Songwriters’ Co-op, Alice is working on a novel and CD about the ill-fated Donner Party of 1846-1847. She plays guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and banjo. Learn more about Alice at www.aliceosborn.com. 

Alice Osborn

Author’s Talk

Over two decades ago I was at a crossroads in my life and career. At twenty-five years old after living in Charleston, South Carolina, for four years with my parents and making only $8/hour, I knew I had to make a change. I knew I would probably have to leave Charleston to acquire better job prospects—but then that meant I would be further away from my ex-boyfriends and my parents. It seemed I had racked up about five ex-boyfriends that year alone. I asked around the Belk buying office where I worked and discovered I could apply for a promotion. Incredulously, the next day after I applied I got the promotion and the transfer from Charleston to Myrtle Beach. I would be working in store management—something I had never done. I remember a few co-workers doubting my abilities and saying stuff like, “You know you actually have to put forth some effort at your new job.” Another co-worker said, “Hope your face clears up.” Nice. If I had any hesitation about moving, their words lent me more determination to get the heck out of Dodge. Of course, I heard the typical banter about Myrtle Beach being Ground Zero for strippers, beach bums, and burn-outs, but after my scouting trip to meet my new bosses and find a new apartment, which is detailed in my essay, I couldn’t wait to live in my new town in my OWN place.

Today I have very fond memories of my two years of living in Myrtle Beach—I made fabulous friends, I learned go to the movies and bars by myself, and I also found my clothing and musical styles. I also plunged myself into a lot of debt, but that’s story for another time. I also discovered how much I loved working in a store environment and how quickly I took to my new job—I was a natural at it. My Myrtle Beach experience has carried over today into my entrepreneurial work and I’ll forever treasure those twenty-four months of beach adulting.