I was scrolling through Pinterest trying to pass some time when I stumbled upon a quote that really shook me. This quote really made me think about the way I am living my life. Not only the way; but where I choose to do so.

I’m 22 years old, and I’ve officially hit that stage of wanting to travel. It's as if all of a sudden I want to be anywhere but where I am. I have become increasingly unhappy in the town I call home. I live in a small town in Wisconsin that has never really gotten much publicity. In fact, when telling people where I am from I typically say, “Oh, just a small area south of Green Bay.” Well, things have changed now, all thanks to Netflix. By that sentence alone, I am sure some of you now know that I live in Manitowoc, Wisconsin-- A town that has recently been thrown into the spotlight.

For those of you who don’t know what I am talking about, Netflix has released a documentary that was focused on a murder which took place in my county. Unfortunately, this threw my town into a negative light. There is quite a bit of controversy surrounding said documentary. I found myself feeling strangely defensive. I was defending a town that I never really enjoyed living in. The place that I have called home for most of my life is now being trash talked by people who live all over the world. People who live in different countries are talking about how terrible of a town it is.

When I stumbled upon the quote “grow where you are planted” it pulled at my heart strings. I have taken advantage of the town that I live in. I have never really taken the time to appreciate how beautiful it really is. I haven't been blooming where I am planted. Now that this town is in such a negative light, I find myself wanting nothing more than to show people just how beautiful it really is.

I took some time to think about what “grow where you are planted” really meant to me. I guess, I just finally realized that griping and complaining about my town, instead of living my life to its fullest, is something that I want to be a part of my past. This town is beautiful and I want to do what I can to make it even more so. It may not be where I want to spend the rest of my life right now, and finally I have realized that this is okay! It’s okay for you to live somewhere you never imagined yourself being. What’s important is to remember that you need to do what you can to bloom wherever you are.

When you plant a seed in a pot, you plant it there to give it time to grow. They grow their roots, and you replant them outside in order to allow them to grow freely. I am currently in my flower pot. I am growing my roots in Manitowoc, awaiting my time to see the world. For now, I am driven to see the beauty in this city, and hopefully to move others to do the same. I am proud to say that I live in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. A city known not just for a Netflix documentary. This city is known for the S. S. Badger car ferry, for its amazing maritime museum, for the wonderful people and so much more. I highly encourage you to visit.