The 5 Hour Difference

As most of you know, I have now lived on the outskirts of Houston for 3 years now. If you would have asked me 3 1/2 years ago if I would be willing to leave my hometown, move 5 hours away to a WAY bigger city... I would've literally called you crazy. There was something about being from a small town that I absolutely loved- but also hated at the very same time.

Let me back track.

I was actually born in Starkville, Mississippi (go bulldogs!) but moved to Ponchatoula, Louisiana due to most of my family residing there. Ponchatoula is about a 45 minute drive from both New Orleans and Baton Rouge. We have one high school, a small strip of "downtown", and everyone knows everyone. Your parents most likely went to kindergarden through college with your friend's parents! Yepp, that's how small it is. 

I actually never desired or expected to leave. No one really ventured out of my hometown if you grew up there, and if you did, it was only 45 minutes-2 hours away to Lafayette for college. After you graduated, you came back home. Most people have children and get married young, and it's a very normal and accepted concept. We have a few bars that were popular on Thursdays-Saturdays due to the next door "city" being a college town. Southeastern football games were a big hit during season, but most people ventured out to watch the LSU Tigers on any given home game. My hometown had a routine whether we realized it or not- and most everyone was okay with it...

Except me.

It was in 2015 when I had the opportunity to move away from my comfort zone- the only place I genuinely knew. I packed up and drove 5 hours straight in my little Chevy Cruze to the new place I would call home- Houston, Texas. I left my immediate family, my first job in my career field, all of my friends, and basically everything I knew. How in the WORLD was a small town girl going to survive there, right? It wasn't easy. The freeways were bigger, toll roads were a normal thing (sigh...), and you could literally drive 2 hours and still be in Houston. Let's just say i had to gps EVERYWHERE!

Fast forward 3 years....

I have created + grown a career that I love, at a salon I love, with co-workers I love.

I have met some of the most genuine and sweetest souls.

I have experienced crazy city life and the quiet suburb life.

I have met my amazing now Husband, and had a beautiful son that I adore more than anything.

I have grown mentally as a person by expanding my horizons and taking a leap of faith to just do it.

I am happy, and as much as I miss my small home-town.. leaving was the best thing I ever did.

The thing I most want you to take from this particular blog post is to not be afraid to take chances. There were many times it would have been easier to just say screw it, pack up, and head home to my normalcy. But MAN am I glad I didn't. Move away if you feel it's in your best interest. Try something new. Will it be scary? Most likely. Will it be hard? Maybe. 

Great things never came from comfort zones.

What are some of your goals you have for your life? Can it be accomplished where you are?