I think everyone, in some capacity, enjoys exploring a new place. For example I've visited France and Japan, and of course loved every minute of it. Even sitting in a hotel room in a new place can make a person bristle with excitement. Not everyone, however, can fully enjoy separating themselves from what is comfortable and familiar while striking out into a new place. Many people, I think, would like to remain somehow tethered to the old places while exploring the new. While I can understand that feeling, it's just not for me.
I can become extremely stagnant and uncomfortable when I have been in one place for too long. When I am in a new place (but know I'm going back to the old place) I feel like I can't completely, 100%, enjoy myself and relax. The idea that "this is going to end soon" is always gnawing around in the back of my mind. Now, moving to a new place, that's different. The mere prospect is like a ball of fire in your chest (warm, stimulating, exciting), and if you stay in one place too long it cools and hardens, and then sits there like a lump weighing you down. I know I'm not alone on this.
I've lived in several places in the United States. In my adult life, the notable places are: Michigan (where I grew up), Tennessee (only for two years), and California. Each of these three places have been wildly different, and sufficiently stroked my predilection for that ball of fire associated with "moving on" and "starting fresh." Along with being satiating and building me up, each place also wore me down in different ways, each with varying degrees of coarseness. In that respect, moving around a lot can "polish" a person.
With that, I have to say, my nomadic urges are spurring me on once again. I'd love to live in a new place. Some way or another, Seattle ended up in my crosshairs. Ever since getting the idea of Seattle in my head, any mention of the name sets my heart aflutter. Any pictures or articles about the place inspire a vague arousal. Hahaha… yea, weird huh? So that's what's in my head, it's kind of like a crush, sort of an… "Ok wow… this is enticing, but geez, I like, barely know anything about this Seattle… what if it doesn't like me?"
Haha… right?
February 21st, 2011 - 11:28
I don’t know how any place couldn’t like you. Haha. If you move to Seattle, I am visiting just for a Caramel Milkshake. Rofl.
February 21st, 2011 - 13:46
Hey, I’ve always wanted to move to Seattle! And I know what you mean about a ball of fire “cooling and hardening” when you stay in one place too long. Too bad I don’t have any control over it right now… :(
February 21st, 2011 - 20:48
Cool blog layout! I love the icon of it :)
Seattle is such a nice place! One of my cousins moved there for school and such, and I visited once for a few days. They keep saying that it’s always raining there, but I guess I lucked out when I visited there. The only part that I really saw was from the hotel (edge of downtown) to the heart of downtown and the shuttle ride from the airport to the hotel, but everything looked wonderful.
February 21st, 2011 - 23:28
Thank you -^^-
…and thanks for the input on Seattle, I have been hearing a lot of great things. :)
February 22nd, 2011 - 14:24
Haha wow, I felt psychic for a second because while I was reading your blog I was thinking in my head “Hey, maybe your next place in the US should be Seattle”.
I don’t live in Seattle but I go to school in Seattle. Its a pretty interesting place with a lot of personality.
If you do move up here to Seattle, I hope you like it :D
February 24th, 2011 - 15:28
This is incredibly weird (and perhaps creepy) but I was also thinking you should try the pacific northwest next! It’s great up there, and totally different from where you’ve lived so far. I haven’t spent much time in seattle but this place defined so much of my childhood: http://www.mcphee.com/shop/
February 22nd, 2011 - 18:51
I definitely see what you mean! If you do decide to travel or move, keep us updated! The way you described the feeling of wanting to move was really down-to-earth. Love it! :)