Growing up in a small town with about 325 students in our graduating class, we all knew each other. Whether we knew of each other or were close friends, growing up in the same town with the same people molded our lives for 18 years.
Upon graduation, each of us takes off in different directions; whether it be college across the country, enlisting in the army, working full time or even backpacking through Europe. In each direction we're faced with new people, new challenges and new experiences. Come mid-May, most of us are home and back in our normal atmosphere. Back to seeing our friends from high school, working summer jobs to save for the fall, going to the beach, and of course ordering pizza from our favorite local pizza shop in town. As exciting as this all sounds, I found excitement elsewhere.
My life has had a tendency to be repetitive and boring now that there was nothing new to do that I hadn't done a handful of times before in my hometown. This summer I realized it was time to leave and start a new adventure. It's not that I don't love where I grew up, I just needed a change. So I saved my income all throughout the spring semester to put towards rent and found a summer sublet in the city.
Come the last day of finals, I packed my car full and made a few trips from college to my new home for the summer. As I unloaded my car and unpacked in my new room, I realized how crazy it was to be living in a house in the city on my own at 19 years old with roommates I had met a week prior to moving in. I was eager to see what a this opportunity had to offer, excited to meet new people and ready for new adventures.
Now being halfway through the summer and adjusted into life away from my hometown, I'm able to realize that leaving was the best decision for 5 main reasons.
1. New Places
Though I will miss my hometown, there is much more out there in the world waiting to be seen. Having the opportunity to see new streets, new shops, new scenery has been rewarding and I highly advise anyone to take the chance on new places. This has taught me about diversity and how other areas in the world operate.
2. New People
I wouldn't be where I am today without my close friends from high school and college, but there's always room to grow new friendships. Moving to a new place gives you the chance to have a clean slate and fill your life and time with new friends. You might even find your best friend, a roommate or even the love of your life.
3. Goodbye to My Comfort Zone
We all love to stay in our comfort zone with the feeling of stability, but stepping outside that zone will increase the opportunity to make new friendships, find job openings, and make dreams a reality. It might be awkward at first and a little bit risky at times, but it is most definitely worth it and you can only grow from it.
4. Independence and Responsibility
Moving away from my hometown has taught me how to be independent and responsible in many aspects. From paying rent on time, filling up the fridge and cabinets with groceries, saving to pay off tuition, and going to work each day, I've pushed myself to take responsibility for everything I do. With that being said, I've become self-reliant and independent, in which I am proud of what I've accomplished at such a young age.
5. Appreciation
With leaving my hometown, I grew a stronger appreciation for the place that raised me. Leaving changed me and when I go back, I realize what I'm thankful for and the true reason of why I left. You don't realize what you have until it's gone, so appreciate everything and everyone that made you who you are.
Leaving my hometown has opened my life up to new opportunities and experiences that I couldn't even imagine before and for that, I am thankful more and more each day for this experience.
