What does the place you live say about you? Or does it matter even at all, but is it more about what you make of the place that you live?
I live in the hot hot state of Texas and in the sweltering Humidity of good ol’ Houston. Its hot. Its humid. You don’t want to be outside unless its in the 70s. There is so much traffic everywhere you go that you have to be careful where you go throughout the week. Then on the weekends you gotta watch out because there is always a game, conference, or event. Or someone just got into an accident. Which happens more often then not when I want to go downtown.
So really- why would anyone want to live here?
I sure didn’t when I first moved here. I started living in Houston in the summertime, and this Colorado gal thought she was going to pass out because she couldn’t breathe when she was outside. I specifically remember going to Main Event with a group of people when I first moved here and it was at night. I remember walking in and being like, oh my word, I seriously can’t breathe!!! They just laughed, and told me I’d get used to it. Eventually I have. And this summer when I took a trip to California I stepped out of the airport and prepared to take a deep breath (because apparently that’s what I do here in Houston so I can adjust to the air) and… it was crystal clear! I could breathe!! *cue angels singing*
But then, cue the traffic, and the dirtiness of the city we were in, and yuk. No fun.
So. Why am I talking about all of this?
Because really, everywhere we live we are going to find things we don’t like about it. It may be fine at first, but then we will start critiquing it. So its not about location, but its what we make of the place we live in that makes it your home.
Since living in Houston I have met so many people, made friends, lost friends, met my husband, fell in love, gained a second family, bought a home, started a career, and so much more. I love this place because of those memories that are here, the comfort of it, and the people I know. That is how you make a place you aren’t sure about a place that you love and can’t imagine leaving.
So even though I complain about the Houston heat and long for days where I’ll be able to bundle up in a sweater, scarf, and cute new boots. I am happy where I am because for now this is my home. I don’t know what the future holds, or where I will be 5, 10, 20 years from now. But I do know that it is possible to move to a place where you know no one but your family, and gain memories, and friends that will last a lifetime. Because that’s what I did. And now I can’t imagine leaving.
Where do you live? What makes the place you are in “home?”
6 Responses
Thank you for writing this post! I have lived here my whole life and I know it isn’t the best city ever but I am very loyal to it! You do adjust to most things, eventually, and I am glad you adjusted and had many good experiences happen to you here!
nice! looks so much fun there!!
Houston has been my home for the last almost 12 years. I had a lot of those same complaints and sometimes still do, but like you said, it’s what you make of it. We moved here with no family or friends and have made both. I often have the thought that I want to go home to California with my family, but then I think of the life and home we have made here. It’s really hard to be away from my mom, dad, brothers and grandma, but the home and life we have made here has been a blessing to us.
Your post really resonates with me! I have some of the same love/hate feelings about Houston (hate meaning heat and traffic mostly!). We moved here out of necessity for jobs. But it has grown on us both so much. Cheers to transplants embracing Houston and making the most of it!
I feel you girl. Being from Utah I was kind of always hating on my home town and begging to get out of there. Well finally I got my wish and I came to Houston. I love it here for a lot of reasons, and also just that it’s a new place for me to explore, but I am starting to see the good in Salt Lake City now too… I really think you can be happy wherever you are, especially when you have good people in your life!
Hey, is that the Mellow Mushroom in Spring?! :) That’s right near my apartment! haha. Even though I live in Houston/Spring, to me, it’s not home =( Sure there are some parts that I like, but when I visit home like I did this past weekend it really reinforces the things I miss from home!