So if you’re reading this, you probably know by now that for one, my name is Chloe HAHA, and two, I moved from Ohio to Atlanta a little over two months ago. I moved to Atlanta not knowing a SOUL, found my roommates online who I didn’t know either, and followed my dreams of becoming a dancer and actress. The journey thus far has been quite crazy and I’ve learned SO much in these past two months alone. I wanted to share what I’ve learned with you guys in case you’re considering moving to a new city. Hopefully by reading this, it will encourage you to as well! :) (And by the way - my journey is still HARDLY getting started. I’m still #newhere)
Let’s get to it!
Being uncomfortable is what creates growth for yourself. Nobody has ever grown from being comfortable. I feel like being uncomfortable is where you learn how strong you can be. Nothing about moving has felt easy. I left my family, a comfortable teaching job with steady income, all of my friends, acting classes where I knew everyone, etc. EVERYTHING was left behind to get here. It was like starting from ground zero. Finding places to take classes at, going out to meet people, starting to make connections that could lead you to future jobs and opportunities, putting yourself out there. It’s a LOT of work. I’ve cried a lot but I’ve also been so overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. I’ve pushed through the hard days and I know it’s going to be worth it in the end. It already has been so worth it.
You have to be the one that puts in the effort to meet people. It doesn’t just come automatically. (Or maybe you just get lucky and it does LOL.) Yes I take class at the same dance studio every single night, but for the first few weeks I introduced myself to a LOT of people. Everyone I’d meet, I’d ask them for their Instagram so I could not only remember their name, but also keep in touch with them. I’ve also found random non-dance girls on social media to connect with. Either through TikTok or Instagram, I’ve followed through with those coffee/lunch/dinner dates. It’s almost like dating for besties. It’s honestly been super fun and the reason I’ve tried so many new restaurants! I’ve done a lot of work getting to dance class, but I’ve also tried so hard to balance my social life. It’s so important to me to want to go to dance because I enjoy it, not because I feel like I have to. If that means taking off a night of class to hang out with some girls I want to get to know better - so be it! I’m out here to just LIVE MY LIFE too. :) I want to be happy while doing it.
High Risk = High Reward. This one is more of a manifestation for myself. I know it’s going to pay off eventually. Just waiting on it!
Not every day is easy. It’s a huge rollercoaster of emotions and definitely gets lonely. The thing with this is though, you can’t let yourself fall into a rut. If you’re sad, you can’t sit in bed all day and be sad. You have to get up and continue on with your life. There've been so many hard days for me, especially in the beginning, but I didn’t let myself fall into the “this is so hard and is never going to get easier” hole. Sometimes it’s not easy, but you absolutely HAVE to dig yourself out of that one quickly or you’ll never get out of it. And the “loneliness” feeling just comes with being in a new city. The friends that I've made already have other friends and you can’t really just waddle your way into other peoples’ friend groups. Which leads into my next point -
You have to give it time & have patience. This has been the utmost STRUGGLE for me in these past two months. I am the most impatient person to exist. I remember saying something to my mom like, “I feel like I don’t even know anyone here and don’t have any friends” and my mom going, “Chloe how long have you been there? A week?” and it was only a week. LOL. But I’ve tried to become more and more patient as the days go by. I’m not going to become best friends with someone overnight, I’m not going to book my dream job overnight (but I will soon #manifesting), and I’m not yet where I want to be dance wise. I know all of these things will come WITH TIME. (But then again I wish they’d happen overnight. LOL)
Live each day with an open mind and heart. Not every day is going to go your way, but you have to be proud of yourself. My dad said on one of the very first phone calls we had when I moved here, “Chloe I know you haven’t really had a hard day yet. But just remember, if you’re ever sad or having a bad day, just know it takes a lot of balls to do what you did and just be proud of yourself.” :) So if you are moving somewhere new and having a hard day, remind yourself to be proud and grateful for even doing it in the first place. A lot of other people wouldn’t be able to do what you did.
Remember that a lot of things are completely out of your control. Period.
Following your dreams is so important. At this current point in my #ChloeinAtlanta journey, I still don’t have a job. In fact, I haven’t made a single penny since moving. I haven’t been able to spend money on as many things as I did before but I’ve been SO happy. If I need new clothes for something, I go to the thrift store now. I make my coffee at home 95% of the time rather than going to buy it. I try to hardly eat out unless it’s with friends. I’ve been making sacrifices, but at the expense of what? Following my goddamn dreams? Seems pretty worth it to me! I think that no matter how much money you’re making, as long as you’re doing what you love, nothing else matters.
So yeah. In only two months I have learned SO much and it’s due to me pushing myself to follow my dreams even though it’s been way out of my comfort zone. Please comment below if you have any other questions about my journey thus far. I’d love to help!
Proud of you!!