Exploring New Horizons: The Benefits of Leaving Your Hometown Behind

I might be a little bias, but moving out of your hometown is one of the most riveting and exciting things a person can do. I do want to add in the caveat that I moved away from my “hometown” when I was 16 so I really didn’t have any tie to the school I attend from 16-18 so when it came time to choose colleges, I didn’t have a difficult decision when I chose to move away. I have always been an emotionally detached person, not really missing people or places unless the connection is really worth it in my eyes. When I was younger, we moved around a good amount so my definition of a home was never really the physical place, it was the feeling I got when I was around my parents, siblings and grandparents. I think the strongest definition of home I had was when I was 17 and family lived with my grandparents which entailed having family meals together almost every night, my grandfather driving my brothers and I to school every day and all of us trying our best to get along in the big ranch house on River Road.

When I was 18, I moved out of my parent’s house and decided to go to college 3 hours away from everything I knew. I wanted to go out of state, but there were factors that prohibited me from doing that so I instead chose a smaller California State school and it was the best decision I ever made. If I hadn’t moved away from my hometown, I wouldn’t have experienced falling on my face at such a young age, being broke, alone and mentally unstable. You have to learn how to survive on your own in order to enter adulthood mentally equipped with the tools and mindset necessary to thrive. If you’re constantly relying on your family and others around you to validate your feelings, pick you up when you’re down, etc. you will never be able to be independent.

When I was 22, I was in a long distance relationship, I moved away from my undergrad’s town and went to Colorado on my own. It was absolutely terrifying, I didn’t know what I was doing but I was determined to figure it out. I was so focused on being independent and being on my own that I forgot why I moved away, in order to grow and become a better version of myself in an environment that would allow me to thrive. In Colorado, I found a community, people who would lift me up, who I could grow with. I found non-profits and organizations that had similar missions and ideals as myself. If I hadn’t moved, I would’ve never realized I had a voice on my own, that I didn’t need a man to stand next to me or support me in order to feel relevant. If I hadn’t moved, I would’ve never flown on a private jet or flown all over the United States for work. I am grateful for all the lessons and relationships Colorado brought me.

When I was 25, I moved to Seattle, wanting to experience something new in a bigger city, different challenge and new environment. I find myself in the transitioning period still, 10 months later, finding it more difficult to settle in an environment I’m unsure I want to be in. My whole life I’ve wanted to live in Seattle and now that I’m here and have accomplished everything I’ve wanted to before the age of 25, I can’t help but wonder what is next for me on my pursuit of happiness. However, at the end of the day, if I hadn’t moved, I wouldn’t have met my best friend, wouldn’t have left the country by myself and wouldn’t be working for my second Fortune 500 company.

I may be bias, but here are my reasons I believe moving away from your hometown can be incredibly beneficial:

1. Independence from your family can make you mature faster

2. Distance makes the heart grow fonder - you will appreciate when you can be with friends and family more

3. It will make you a more well rounded person

4. Having long distance friends is fun- that means more places to visit

5. You can learn to appreciate your hometown more

6. Growth doesn’t happen in your comfort zone

7. You learn to rely on yourself and your intuition more

8. There is so much you learn from being away from the familiar

9. If you don’t like it, your hometown is always a one way flight or drive back.