As a born and raised Jersey Girl, I can proudly say where I am from has helped to transform me into the person I am today. I like my Taylor Ham, having my gas pumped for me, and my road-rage driving skills. I'm grateful to have grown up living an hour away from New York City, and an hour away from New Jersey's best beaches. There is always access to a small town feel, a wide open farmland feel, or a downtown city feel. And in between all of the nooks and crannies of our small little state, I know that everyone would understand my accent if I were to ask where to get a good cup of "cawfee" or how to get to the nearest "mawl."
Don't get me wrong, when I travel and get funny looks when I talk, or get made fun of because of MTV's show, "Jersey Shore," I defend where I am from; simply because I am proud to be from Jersey. However, becoming a country music fan over the past few years, and having the opportunity to visit the south recently, I have noticed how different our lifestyles are in New Jersey, and near many major cities.
Is it me, or is everyone constantly going and doing? It is as though there is never downtime, and when there is, we are probably being anti-social, on our phones or watching TV (and I'm guilty of being one of these people). I am all for leading a successful and productive life, for striving to do better. But after coming across different ways of life, more laid back ways of life, I feel we have no excuse but to relax, when it is time to relax.
Think about it... when you go out to eat with your family or a friend, what is the first thing you do when you get your food? Take a picture, post it on SnapChat; I know I do! But do you think you could ever go through an entire meal, with others or by yourself, without using your phone? Probably not.
The other thing I've noticed is, up here, we may find something to be "weird", as others may view it as "friendly". If you were walking down the street of a small town in New Jersey that you've never been to before, and someone walked over and said, "hi, how are you today?" you'd probably wrinkle up your face and answer awkwardly. Put this situation in another part of the country and you may have made yourself a new friend.
I think after growing up in a small town in Jersey and now being at a decent sized college, meeting new people and having new experiences, I am able to see how confined we are as a society, here. We all have so many great things to offer and we really have adapted to such a great culture. We are very productive and I know that our region inspires many. However, I feel we should be inspired by other regions to become more familiar with a laid back, enjoyable lifestyle to capture the little things in life.
Life goes by so quickly, and it would be a shame to look back and wish we could have done things differently. So I challenge you... next time you go out to eat, put your phone away; like away, away. Have a conversation, make a memory. Instead of getting ready while you have your coffee tomorrow morning, relax and sit by a window and look at what the world has to offer you. Take the long way home and listen to your favorite song, or make someone's day by giving them a compliment.
Life is full of crazy. But don't let the crazy rush all of your time away—enjoy your tomorrow.
