When I was in high school, I fantasized about leaving for college and never coming back home. Like most teenagers, especially those from where I’m from, I constantly bullied my hometown. The main complaint would be that there weren’t a lot of things to do or at least things that would be fun for a teenager. And for my town, that was an extremely valid statement. (I mean, there were few hidden gems but is it still a hidden gem if you’ve seen it a thousand times?)
However, outside of the obvious complaints, the sentiments held towards my hometown were a projection of fear. “I don’t want to be stuck here doing nothing for the rest of my life” is a feeling every person my age experiences while at home. We wanted big opportunities, meaningful jobs, and happy lives. And to us, none of those things were available at home, so we wanted to go elsewhere in search of them.
“Chase your dreams… but maybe not here”
So we go to college, or we get that job far away, hoping to get something more. But eventually, we sometimes want to go back home. Where despite there seemingly being not much there, we at least knew what was. We know the corner store that’s always been there or the weird spots to avoid. We’re somewhere familiar.
That is… until it starts to change.
Old stores close and new ones replace them. Friends have gone off in search of the dreams, and you’re left with a place that’s only vaguely familiar. You think back to all the little moments. The times when you and your friends made do with what you had. The good, the bad, and the unappreciated memories. You think to yourself:
Maybe there’s something to this place
I want to shift away from my old mentality toward my home. Yes, it may be scarce with fun, and maybe I have some bad memories attached to this place. But, instead of leaving this old plant to die, why not try saving it? Add some new soil, let in some sunshine, and give it some love.
Instead of seeing your hometown as a dead plant that should be discarded and forgotten, try to reinvest in it. Maybe visit your old school and talk to students there. Encourage them that their home doesn’t have to be a graveyard of dreams but rather a garden for new ones. Speak to those who stayed or came back, something made them settle there, and maybe it’ll help you appreciate your home more.
And that doesn’t mean you have to move back. I know I’m not.
But that does mean that you can try to make things a little better. Think about what you could do to make your past self-value where they were from.
Because I would much rather try to rebuild my community than rebuke it…
Thanks for giving me a new perspective of my hometown!
This hits home because I had the same sentiments towards my home town. Appreciate this thought-provoking post because now I can look it things from a new light and appreciation!