Just A Little Change

“If we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet…” -Rachel Wolchin

I was 21 when I decided enough was enough. I wanted to be completely on my own and somewhere no one knew me. Moving wasn’t a new concept to me. I’ve been through a half a dozen big moves, even one to an entirely different continent. But never on my own.

That was the biggest thing for me. I needed my chance to prove that I could do it. That I wouldn’t fail by myself. I also was incredibly bored where I was in Virginia. It’s a side effect of a lifetime of “Hey, pack your bags! We’re being shipped off somewhere” that comes with growing up in a military family.

You’d think that growing up that way would give me a mindset of settling down, buying a house, having some kids, and letting them enjoy one school system. Ha. Not me. No, I like the thrill of trying something different every few years. Once I know the easiest ways into a city without even touching a major roadway, it’s time to go. Not everyone agrees though.

“Why? Why would you continue to uproot yourself?” It’s a common line of questioning. And it’s one I’ve run into a lot since we announced that we’re moving to Houston next year. It’s also something I’ve been asking myself. It’s not just me moving alone anymore. Now, I’ve got a husband that’s going with me. A husband that has never lived outside of the state or lived more than 40 minutes from family. At first, I doubted our decision. I cried and I berated myself for being selfish.

For some, staying in one place for years and years is what makes the heart happy. That’s not us, that’s not me. We’ve grown to have an itch for adventure and for experiencing change together. I mean, I’ve always had it, but with Alex? It’s that much stronger. One of my favorite quotes comes from Anthony Bourdain and it’s this, “If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. Walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food. It’s a plus for everybody.”

Powerful, right? Change is scary, but for me staying stagnant in one place for the rest of my life sounds like you’re putting me in a cage. I want to experience so much with Alex and not just for a week or two. I want it for a year, or three, or even five, if a location fits us that well.

I’m not saying pack up and leave next week, definitely take your time and plan it out. What I am saying is if there is a country, a city, a region calling to you nonstop, it’s calling to you for a reason. It’s waiting. We get to flip to our next chapter of life in 2020. When will you be flipping to yours?