Living and growing up in a small town is the perfect blend of a blessing and a curse. Small towns are home to friendly faces, fresh air, favorite dining spots and precious childhood memories. It's where you were built; you are who you are because of your experiences in that tiny town. On the map, it's a small dot, but it takes up the biggest place in your heart.
It's where you learned to ride a bike, where you had your first kiss, and where you started to grow. Your roots are planted, packed tight in that place you called home your whole life. But sooner or later, you need to blossom. You need to grow.
When you become accustomed to a certain way of life, it can be scary to leave behind a lifetime of habits, and the routine that got you this far. Stepping outside your small town bubble is a frightening step, but soon you realize that home doesn't need to be just one zipcode.
1. You Are Very Small
When you're stuck in that small town mind frame, you tend to think that the world revolves around what happens there, and around you. It doesn't. Leaving your small town is humbling and motivating. It inspires you to be better, and to become more interested in other people.
2. You Can Relate To Strangers More Than You Think
Moving to a big city means meeting tons of different kinds of people that are extremely different from you. If you stop and get to know them, you may realize that they are not that different from you after all, but you will never know unless you stop to get to know new people.
3. You Can Choose Your Family
Blood is not always thicker than water. Let people in. Take a chance on trusting them, and prove to them that you care about them. Cultivate that some unconditional love you have for your family and invest it in your friends as well.
4.Cherish Your Old Traditions, And Make New Ones
You will always love your seemingly ridiculous hometown traditions that no one outside understands. That's OK! Share your traditions with others, but listen and enlighten yourself about others. Make new friends, and develop new traditions.
5. Kiss Your Comfort Zone Goodbye
Try things that scare you, and do things you never would have dreamed of doing. You know what they say, "a ship is always safe at shore, but that's not what it's built for."
6. Never Stop Learning About Yourself
You may think you know all there is to know about you, but the reality is, that's what life is for. Don't get too caught up in routine hustle and bustle to forget to take time and reflect on yourself. Check in once in a while and make sure you're making yourself happy.
7. Reminisce on the Past, But Don't Live there
The past is why we are who we are, and it is important to learn from past mistakes and experiences, but it's equally as important to go out and make new mistakes. Don't let your past paralyze you and prevent you from reaching your potential.
8. Don't Be Afraid to Stray From the Crowd
It's okay if you still prefer your hometown burrito joint to Chipotle. Don't let what's popular become your preferences by default; you should never be afraid to dress how you want, act how you want, and live how you want. Never be afraid to walk alone.
9. Take Every Opportunity
What do you have to lose? Whether it's applying for a new job or running for a leadership position in a school org, you owe it to yourself to just go for it. Go ahead, audition for an acappella group even though you haven't sang in years. It's always better to say "oh well" than "what if."
10. Realize Every Failure is A Lesson
The truth is, you will get a million "no's" before you get a single "yes." If a door slams in your face, ask why. Use it as an opportunity to learn and improve.
