I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about where I live. Do I want to stay here forever, in the area where my family has been for generations, or do I want to break out and try somewhere new?
There are of course a lot of good things about living in a small town--land and house prices are cheaper, crime is generally lower (although we have our share of meth problems here), it takes less than 10 minutes to get from my house to anywhere I would want to go to in town, traffic is not bad, and after a while you become familiar with a lot of the people who live in your town.
Bad things about living in a small town (in my opinion): availability of cultural activities and a lack of diversity. Living in a more insulated town where families have been living for generations means attitudes/political beliefs tend to stay the same. If you like things to always be the same, this is a great way to live! But if you are like me and want to live where there is a place for everybody, well, a small town in the south is probably not the best place to be.
I know where I want to live: Somewhere I don't feel strange as a non-church going (but Unitarian-leaning), environmentally-conscious, child-free, liberal vegan. But the quesition is: is that all on me? Will I feel comfortable owning those traits somewhere that I'm not surrounded by people who have known me all my life and have certain expectations? Will I feel free to be who I really am?
It's not as though I'm yearning to get a bunch of piercings, tattoos, and shave my head. But I'd like to be somewhere so that others who might want to be that way can do so without others judging them. I want to join others at vegetarian restaurants and discuss issues that matter to us. I'd like to be active politically and stand up for what I believe is right, to protest the next time the circus comes to town, etc. I am not the type of person who will do this on my own, but peaceable protest or handing out leaflets to interested persons? You betcha, if I was in a group of like-minded individuals who I call my friends.
So....lots to think about. Oh, and my husband? Totally got my back, as per usual. He is ready to move on if and when I want to.
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3 comments:
I really enjoyed our recent trip to Japan. ..... I felt during and after it, parts of my personality and spirit came alive; parts that I had unintentionally let go? or didn't feed or ..... something.
I, so , want to go back. New and different surroundings and experiences. It was like I came alive. I loved it. It wasn't until I took a step forward that I realized I have been standing still.
But, I came back with plans to take new paths and haven't. Reading your post is a wake-up call. :)
*Reads other comment*
Yes! I vote move to Japan. Know what we will just all move with you. I could just see Mom there in a kimono,J could wear the cute little uniforms, K and D well don't know about them and as for B and I well we would be in a state of shock for awhile :o
Romona--Glad I could share and get you thinking about it again!
S--Laughing just thinking about us all being over there. lol
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