I discovered that I easily get altitude sickness when I was 4. My parents invested in their first fifth wheel when I was in 2nd grade and we traveled the United States, from western Arizona to northern Kentucky. I spent that grade level in homeschool so we could pursue this lifestyle.

In my adulthood, I enjoyed taking daytrips and exploring locally, but hated the idea that buying a house meant I was committed to a location forever. So, we sold our house just a few months after we purchased our first travel trailer in September last year. We realized that managing a house while living several states away was hard and unnecessary. Selling also deleted that ideology that I was locked into that specific location. Committing to this traveling lifestyle also meant that we needed a bigger home, so we upgraded to our fifth wheel.

I thoroughly enjoy visiting these new places, introducing myself to our new neighbors for the next couple months, and spending my life with my husband. However, I’m finding myself becoming more and more anxious for the holidays.

The holidays means that I can return to my hometown and gather with my friends and family. The longing desire for Christmas is no longer entirely for the excitement of putting together the tree or hanging mistletoes, but also the anticipation of warm embraces and late-night parties.

I have never been happier in my life than I am now; continuing the lifestyle that began with my parents in the 2nd grade now with my husband and our dogs. Nonetheless, nothing beats the smell of East Tennessee after a long rain or the red and yellow leaves falling from the mountain to decorate the ground.

Leaving your hometown helps you grow outside of your comfort zone. There are so many dogs to befriend, campfires to be hosted, seas to be swam in, and mountains to stomp around on to stay grounded where you blossomed. Blossom across the world. Plant your roots in a hundred different big cities and small towns before you decide your final resting place. Leaving your hometown builds character and a sense of identity that you cannot achieve by remaining same. Money will return but your lifetime will not.