I forgot how quiet life could truly be. If you had told me a few months ago that I’d be living in the small town of Holderness, New Hampshire, I definitely would’ve asked you where that was on a map. I grew up in the city of White Plains, New York. I also frequently visited the “concrete jungle” that is New York City. For me, "busy" was just how life worked. I was used to the sound of cars outside my window, the bright lights from the shops down the street, and that fast city energy where everyone is always in a rush to get somewhere.
Prior to switching career paths, I worked as a freelance audio engineer. Though I primarily worked from home, there weren’t many opportunities to sit back and relax. My life was filled with the sounds of music, the hum of electronics; I was always plugged into something. My world was anything but quiet. But by the time I finally pulled into Holderness, that "hurry up" feeling in my chest had started to settle down. I remember well the long drive up here. The big buildings and crowded highways of New York slowly turned into wide-open fields, vast mountain ranges, and more trees than I could count.
This is my first time actually living in the country for more than just a quick weekend. To say that this has been a big change of pace would be an understatement. The first thing I noticed wasn't what I saw, but what I didn't hear. At first, the silence felt a little strange, but now I’ve realized it’s just a different kind of "noise." Instead of sirens or people talking, I’m hearing the wind blowing through the trees and the loud, satisfying crunch of my boots on the snow. Even the air smells different; it's crisp and cold. The nights are a whole different story, too. The sky is pitch black, which makes the stars look like they’re glowing twice as bright. We’ve been lucky enough to see the Northern Lights blazing over Squam Lake. Standing there in the dark, watching the colors dance across the sky, made me realize how lucky I am to be here.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss city life; the convenience and the energy of a place that’s always on the move. But trading the pavement for the forest has been exactly what I needed. I’m learning how to slow down, how to listen to the woods, and how to enjoy life one quiet step at a time. Serving here at Squam has taught me that sometimes, you have to leave the noise behind to really hear what’s important.
Diego is serving with the Squam Lakes Association as an Education and Outreach Assistant. He is originally from New York and is a former audio engineer. He is now committed to a career in environmental conservation, with the goal of working for the National Park Service. Learn more about him here.