Even though I occasionally pretend I still live in one of the world’s busiest cities, New York City to be exact, I am officially moved out. I returned to my hometown in the country style suburbs of Philadelphia. It's a quiet but comfortable town that I would always yearn to go back to when I was feeling the isolation, stress, and pressure of city life.

I went from hearing constant sirens and traffic outside my room to seeing tiny fawns nibbling in our garden. From walking at least 40 blocks a day while becoming a public transportation pro to driving a fancy new car that talks to me. From going out after work almost every night for happy hours or events to going out to dinner sporadically once or twice a week. From being able to walk just one block to my best friend's apartment day or night to having to coordinate long drives to see my friends. From pretending I knew all the obscure references the creatives at my advertising agency were making to discussing odd cat behavior with the older ladies that work in my small office (side note: I hate cats). From stressing about how much money I had for food as well as when I could find time for grocery shopping to coming home every night to a packed refrigerator and a home cooked meal.

There are many more comparisons I could make but the reality is, I had a rough time adapting back to the suburban lifestyle. When you’re consumed with city life it’s hard to imagine living anywhere else. It is also surprisingly lonely at times even though you can be surrounded by a sea of people with little effort. The pressure to succeed, to compete, and to be more involved can be overwhelming. It may want to make you want to run back to familiarity as it did for me. From someone who has been through it, my advice would be to take a step back and think first. Either way, you should always be ready for your life’s next adventure.