A long time ago, I made a promise to myself: “no matter what the sacrifice, I will go after my dreams relentlessly.” At the time I don’t think I realized what that meant, but now, years later, and hundreds of miles between safety and my dreams, I am starting to understand.

I packed up my bags today, and loaded up my car. I said goodbye’s that were almost distant as I tried my hardest not to cry. As I pulled out of the driveway, I took a deep breath and focused on the road ahead, so that I wouldn’t turn around. As I get further down the road, make a left on to the highway, and start to jam out to my favorite songs, it starts to sink in: I’m ready to leave. I’m ready to take the next step, take a few risks, and find out about the world that has surrounded me for years but am almost oblivious to. I’m ready to chase my dreams, go after my goals, and become this “adult” that I have so long claimed to be. I’m ready for this adventure, and even if it scares me, I know it’s time.

The streets I grew up on, and the buildings that hold memories will be here waiting for me as I come back to visit during the holidays. They will welcome me with open arms, and give me a safe space to catch up and reminisce with the ones I love. Maybe it won’t look the same exact as it did today when I left, but then again neither will I. I’m ready for change, and for challenges. I’m ready to grow and to experience the victories and struggles that often make a person who they are. I’m ready to experience new people, and a new place, and be immersed in to new cultures and ideas.

This place that I am leaving has allowed me to grow up, but not always to change. It’s molded me in to a person that has been built off of the cultures and people that have surrounded me for my entire life. But with our ever changing world, I know that that is not enough. I want to see what other people think, and understand where they are coming from. I want to create new opinions that might differ from what I’ve known, and I want to determine what I believe is right and wrong. I want to be challenged, and forced to decide if that promise I made years ago is still true. I want to experience highs and lows, and have to navigate some of these challenges alone. I want to release from the safety net that hasn’t been holding me back but hasn’t let me completely let go either.

I’ve been on a roller coaster journey for a long time now, and it is time to take this next step towards my dreams. I’ve been dreading this day of leaving for weeks now, but as it is here, it’s time to face it, and I know I am ready. I’ve been raised strong and tough, and to believe that I can do anything, and it is time to do just that: anything.

I’m ready to leave. This will always be home, and this will always be safe, but it’s time to see what’s next, to keep driving that car, and go to my next adventure. I don’t know what this next adventure will hold but of one thing I’m sure: I’m ready.