I grew up in a town of about 1,200 people, my graduating class had around 40 students, and while the small town lifestyle is all I've known, my heart has always been pulling me to the big cities. A lot of people love the city, and I know a lot of people also love the comfort of small towns.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with either, but I just know the city is where I belong. The constant hustle and bustle, the bright lights of the skyscrapers, and the honks of the taxi cabs screaming that the city is alive. It makes me feel alive. Here are six reasons why my heart belongs to the big cities.
1. You're never alone.
In small towns, I've learned it's quite easy to feel alone. Whether your friend stayed home sick from school or your neighbor is on vacation, things can get lonely fast. In a big city, you are never alone. There are always people around you and if one of them is sick or on vacation, there's another person in line right behind them to jump right into the mix.
2. You learn who you are.
It is quite hard to find exactly who you are in a small town. There are few people and little opportunities to find out who you truly are. In a big city, there is always a group to be a part of or a place to go where you can find your people. People who support you and the person you are meant to be. And if you seem to find a person that isn't helping you grow, you simply don't have to see them again because odds are out of millions, you won't often run into the same person unless it's intentional.
3. Everyone is always moving forward.
Living in the past is a tricky thing in this life. In small towns, things just seem to stick. Everyone knows everyone, and they also seem to know everyone's business. In a big city, people just don't care. You have to always keep moving forward to survive. If something happens in your job, you move forward and recover. If you even trip on the sidewalk, you pick yourself up and you keep going.
4. The city is ALIVE.
The most exciting part about big cities is that they are ALIVE. Small towns seem to be quiet, dark, and peaceful by, at the latest, 11 at night. The saying, "the city never sleeps" rings so true. It is truly a magical thing. There is always fast food to eat at 2 in the morning. There are always people going about their business at all hours. The lights of the skyscrapers will be shining at all hours of the day. It's the city being so alive, that a person can learn what being alive truly means to them.
5. There's always something to do, somewhere to go, and someone to meet.
In my hometown, I had to drive at least 20 minutes if I wanted to go out to eat or see a movie. In a big city, it's just steps away from the front door of the apartment you can barely afford. If you are ever bored, you can find something to do in seconds. If you're looking to meet someone, you can go pretty much anywhere and have hundreds of options. There are a ridiculous amount of exciting opportunities at your fingertips.
6. You're always breaking out of your comfort zone.
Comfort zones are one of the most limiting things in a person's life. Growing up in a very small town, I had an extremely distinct comfort zone that I stuck to come hell or high water. In a big city, you pretty much have to constantly be breaking out of your comfort zone to survive. Whether you're putting yourself out there for a big job or talking to a complete stranger it's giving you new, sometimes scary, opportunities that slowly teach you to expand your comfort zone.
Big cities make my stomach flutter and my heart skip a beat. I can't wait to be a local walking the streets with millions of others I don't know, but still feel such a connection to. The concrete jungles are calling out to me, and I can't wait to follow their voice.
