Tips for Relocating
I am from a small town in rural Illinois. I enjoyed growing up there and I am proud to say I am from the midwest. My family would always take vacations around the US when I was little. I guess I was too young to appreciate the luxury at the time, I just thought every family did that. We went all around in that black Ford V8. But no matter how far we went, we always came back to the same place; Johnsburg, Illinois.
When I was old enough to venture off on my own, I took every opportunity I could. I went away to college, studied abroad, and spent summers traveling. And I still kept the same family tradition and came back home to Illinois.
Last year, I decided to relocate to the central coast of California. It was a big move mentally and physically (3 days of driving!). I didn't know anyone here upon arriving. I had a job teaching music at a school and a room to rent. At first it was exhilarating; everything was new. No one knew who I was, so I could be anyone. I was so excited to experience a year without snow after making it through a wicked winter in Chicago.
It is June, and I have made it through a whole school year in a new state. Here are a list of things I have learned about moving your life across the country. I don't know if I will stay here forever but guess where I am going for the month of July? Yep, back to Illinois.
1. Have a place to call your own.- You may be in a new place, but that doesn't mean you cant make it look like the last place you lived. Material possessions may seem trivial, but they can make you feel at home.
2. They may laugh, but don't try to change your accent.- I get laughed at every time I say the word "mom," or "college." And I am proud of it.
3. Remember you are only a plane ride away from those who love you most.- When you look at 'find my friends' and see that you are 1,800 miles away from your mom. I've spent a lot of money on plane tickets, but I don't regret it.
4. Everything is temporary.- I have never been one to have a 5 year plan. I think 1 year ahead and I think that's enough. If everything is not going your way in your new location, remember you can always change it.
5. Friends?- They don't come easily. Sometimes you find yourself in the company of people that aren't your favorite- but they may bring you to cooler people.
6. Adventure is the best way to learn.- This is a quote to live by. There is a lot of world to see. Think of life as an adventure and everything will be a learning experience.
7. No Regrets.- As my sister and I were driving through the many states in between Illinois and California, I kept wondering if I was making a good life decision. I realized I would never know if I didn't try.
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| Pismo Beach, CA |
Last year, I decided to relocate to the central coast of California. It was a big move mentally and physically (3 days of driving!). I didn't know anyone here upon arriving. I had a job teaching music at a school and a room to rent. At first it was exhilarating; everything was new. No one knew who I was, so I could be anyone. I was so excited to experience a year without snow after making it through a wicked winter in Chicago.
It is June, and I have made it through a whole school year in a new state. Here are a list of things I have learned about moving your life across the country. I don't know if I will stay here forever but guess where I am going for the month of July? Yep, back to Illinois.
1. Have a place to call your own.- You may be in a new place, but that doesn't mean you cant make it look like the last place you lived. Material possessions may seem trivial, but they can make you feel at home.
2. They may laugh, but don't try to change your accent.- I get laughed at every time I say the word "mom," or "college." And I am proud of it.
3. Remember you are only a plane ride away from those who love you most.- When you look at 'find my friends' and see that you are 1,800 miles away from your mom. I've spent a lot of money on plane tickets, but I don't regret it.
4. Everything is temporary.- I have never been one to have a 5 year plan. I think 1 year ahead and I think that's enough. If everything is not going your way in your new location, remember you can always change it.
5. Friends?- They don't come easily. Sometimes you find yourself in the company of people that aren't your favorite- but they may bring you to cooler people.
6. Adventure is the best way to learn.- This is a quote to live by. There is a lot of world to see. Think of life as an adventure and everything will be a learning experience.
7. No Regrets.- As my sister and I were driving through the many states in between Illinois and California, I kept wondering if I was making a good life decision. I realized I would never know if I didn't try.
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