Small towns have many advantages and disadvantages to them, everyone knows that. But it's important to recognize if a small town has shaped your way of thinking.
Coming from a small and rural town, with many other small and rural towns surrounding it, I have lived a pretty sheltered life in most regards. Branching out beyond the farms and same 1,000 people opened my eyes to the world around me. Don't get me wrong, my small town is a blessing. It has provided me with so many things that I could not have gotten anywhere else. But I also see the importance it is to see what else is out there. To understand the world and the many different people in it, we have to see it first hand. Small towns give us comfort and shelter, but they can also blind us from things we really should know.
A close-knit community has its ups and downs. An up being no one is really ever a complete stranger, so every where you go you'll see a friendly face. A down being someone will always have an opinion about SOMETHING that you say or do.
The hustle and bustle of a city can either excite or terrify some people. And it's normal for people from small towns, especially younger generations, to want to get out and explore a more exciting landscape. But when they finally do see what else is out there, it can be intimidating and eye opening. Let's face it, there is not too much crime happening in small towns. Small towns don't always prepare us for the harsh reality of a huge population.
Whether you prefer the farm life or the city life, it's up to you. And both have amazing aspects that you won't get anywhere else. You can't choose where you were born, but you do have the power to move if you want to. Step out of your comfort zone.
The pros and cons of small towns are endless. Be grateful for where you come from and what it has given you, but also keep your mind open and humble to the rest of the world around you.
