Leaving our hometown for big plans is both exciting and overwhelming.
The experience of moving to a new place and meeting a different set of peers makes us ecstatic and pushes us to look forward to the next chapter of our lives.
I remember stepping foot in my own dorm room for the first time. The ambiance of urban life felt so different from my rural life. My dorm room is the same size as my room back home but somehow it felt so much bigger. It was because of how special it was. My own little space in the big city.
Arriving for the first time was the best part. The curiosity and enthusiasm present in every step we take. The unfamiliar streets, landmarks, and scenery were mesmerizing to see. We find ourselves thinking about how we want to unlock and familiarize them all.
Once the excitement wears down, reality sets in. The lucky ones are able to adapt quickly and get used to a new location. Meanwhile others take their time to warm up and get accustomed to it all. It may take weeks, months, or even years to adjust. Taking it slow and consuming a new life at our own pace is one way of living.
We start to get comfortable with the fast-paced urban living. The sites we saw when we first arrived—we see them every day. Our dorm rooms become smaller with each passing day. Our new-found friends become family. Human beings are indeed adaptable to new environments and we are proof of that.
Along with the stableness that we feel, we are often met with the feeling of longing for home. Dorm rooms sometimes feel like the smallest spaces, a melancholic claustrophobic feeling.
This doesn’t mean that we should stop dreaming for something big. The art of leaving comes with ups and downs. We’ll do anything for the dreams we are chasing. Even if it means delving into unfamiliar spaces, or facing the dilemmas that we used to dread.
The truth is, the whole process is about embracing both the excitement and the heartache of change. Each step away from home brings us closer to our dreams, while the memories of where we came from still continue to shape who we are. As we move forward in this journey, may we find strength in cherished experiences and new beginnings.
