I have been in Texas for over five months?! Craziness I know, it has not felt this long. I am getting ready to go back to Minnesota for the first time here in a few days and I have been reflecting on how fast time has gone since moving. I'd like to think I've done some growing and learning since starting this little adventure, because when in life should we be done with either of those two things?
And at this point, we know I'm all about a good list. So this is my list of what I have learned since moving to Texas. I went with five things for five months -- thought it made sense.
1. I talk weird, but I learned so do y'all.
Alright Texans, I do say "bag" and "tag" differently and I have a few of my own talking quirks around "during" and "Pinot" apparently, but since moving here I have been informed that Manchaca is pronounced "MAN-Chac" and Buda is pronounced "Bue-dah" and also I stand firmly by "pop" > "coke." If you want to make an argument for "soda" okay... but "coke" come on now.
Beyond words, I knew that there would be a bit of a shift in culture moving from the Midwest to Texas. However, I enjoy the small differences in how we do things and moving to Austin [which I have been informed isn't "really Texas"] I feel the differences are more subtle than what I thought prior to moving. One in particular -- goodbyes -- gahh. Minnesotans our goodbye ceremony [I'm not sure what else to call this process] is SO OVER THE TOP. Serious question. How many Minnesotans have gotten frostbite because they have chosen to stalk their guests out to their cars in bare feet... in December, and then just STOOD out there for five minutes to finish that one last story about how proud everyone is of little Susie for shoveling four neighbors' driveways? Nevermind that that story makes no sense in the middle of a goodbye, because what is a Minnesotan goodbye if it doesn't include three detours back into normal conversations, before some says, "Welp! We really should be going." But to answer my question, like at least six Minnesotans a year get frostbite from this, right? Because I have rarely seen someone put on shoes when following their guests out to their vehicles, and if they do it is ALWAYS flip flops. Now since moving here, I have said goodbye to people while not leaving my living room, I let them put on their shoes and close the door behind themselves. I don't think you can fully grasp how strange that is to me.
If you aren't from Minnesota and don't know exactly what I'm talking about here, please just travel up to MN so that you can turn around and say goodbye... it is a fascinating thing to behold.
2. Importance of family & true friends -- no matter how far you travel.
Okay, I would like to note that I did know the importance pre-Texas. But moving farther away from the your family and close friends makes you realize how much you rely on them all. Near or far, I am texting my mom for her thanksgiving recipes, I am calling my brother to discuss job prospects, and I'm calling my friends about the randomness within my life I assume only they care to listen to.
Also, special shout out to roommates. Not only do they act as constant entertainment and always give me a buddy when I'm looking to try something new, they have also been there through all of my nonsensical health issues the past few months. So shout out to Joy who drove my ass to a job interview because my feet were too numb to drive and Luke for lifting me up off the floor when the whole damn leg went numb. Look, these two didn't know what they were signing up for when they got me as a roommate, but they are true champs!
This is where I put in a special note that I have lived in Texas for approximately 150 days and we have had guest here 42 of those days [and several times different guests overlapped], so for starters we feel very loved by everyone who has chosen to come stay with us and also we may now be the best hosts in South Austin.
3. Learned/Gained some more confidence...
not that I was lacking ;)
When you move away from all your family, friends and job you got to have some confidence or this shit just wouldn't work. I had confidence in my ability to start from scratch and figure myself through things I hadn't had to deal with before. But actually getting to the other side of those things, kind of proves to yourself that you can do it.
I think this whole move has been a bit of taking a chance on myself, it wasn't the "perfect" time in my life to pick up and move, but I am fairly certain that such a time never exists.
4. The importance of self-care.
My self-care is primarily fitness --- whhaaa?! -- I know super surprising. I found a CrossFit gym immediately after coming to Texas and it was the best decision. It kept my sanity through my job searching, adapting to a new city, and figuring it all out.
But self-care goes beyond the gym, which is the area I have learned in. I have learned how to eat better for myself and have learned to check in with myself on my energy levels and mood through a day and make adjustments to continuously feel as though I'm not overstretching. Look people, doing a little everyday in a holistic mind and body kind of way does wonders... not to get all deep on you all.
5. Learned you can make home just about anywhere.
Many people have asked me why I moved across the country and are usually dissatisfied with my answer that I just wanted to. We aren't stuck in the situations we are currently in... not that I necessarily felt "stuck" in Minnesota, but I always wanted to move out of state and I decided that if I wasn't going to just.... do it, then it probably wasn't going to happen.
I'm getting close to a half a year in Texas, and it all still feels very new. But to be completely honest I grew up in Minnesota and I still needed my GPS to get around the cities, so I might just be one of those individuals that due to my severe challenge with directions all places remain feeling new.
But in all honesty, there has been a sense of normalcy that has started to take place. Whether it be the fact that I can now tell new faces at CrossFit instead of just being the new face, enjoying a Wednesday with wine at home with Joy -- because we like alliteration and Wine Wednesdays is our favorite, getting to know neighbors, being recognized at my favorite restaurant, or now knowing how to say Manchaca correctly, Austin has definitely become "homey" and that's good because I really don't want to drive a U-Haul across the country again anytime soon.
Advice: Take a chance on yourself.
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