If you had told me a few year ago that I’d be packing up my life, moving to a new state alone, and thriving? I would’ve laughed, and told you to fuck off. Not because I didn’t want it, but because I didn’t think I had the guts.

Turns out, I did. And it was the best decision I ever made.

Taking the Leap (a.k.a. The Moment I Knew I Had to Go)

I could feel it, the restlessness, the craving for something new. My life had started to feel like a rerun of a show I’d already seen a hundred times. The same bars, drinking weekend after weekend. The same restaurants, the same bullshit day in and day out. Realizing I was on an imminent path to rehab or death, it hit me.

Why was I waiting for something to change when I could change it myself?

That thought stuck to me like a song stuck on repeat. I couldn’t ignore it. So, I picked a few cities to explore, mapped out a plan (sort of), and within a few months, I was watching my hometown disappear in the rearview mirror.

The Thrill of Reinventing Yourself

There’s something wildly freeing about stepping into a place where nobody knows you. No expectations, no history, no old versions of yourself hanging around.

Moving alone gave me the chance to become whoever I wanted to be. The version of me that wasn’t tied to past mistakes, comfort zones, or old habits. I could show up as me, without explanations.

And that’s a kind of freedom I didn’t know I needed or even knew existed.

Learning to Rely on Myself

Here’s the thing about moving solo, there’s no one else to fall back on. No built-in friends, no family just a short drive away. It’s just you, figuring things out as you go.

At first, it was intimidating. Grocery shopping felt like an Olympic event because I had no idea where anything was or how to even navigate to the local grocery store. Getting lost became a daily occurrence. And don’t even get me started on the loneliness that creeps in when you realize you have no one to call for a last-minute dinner or even talk about your day.

But then, something changed. I adapted.

I found my favorite grocery store, and gas station. I started recognizing familiar faces on my morning walks. I learned how to enjoy my own company. And little by little, the unfamiliar became familiar.

Making Friends as an Adult (Without It Feeling Like Dating)

Making friends in a new city is a lot like dating. There’s the awkward first meetups, the texting phase, the nervous “Do they like me, or are they just being nice?” moments.

But I forced myself to say yes more. It takes effort, but once you find your people, it makes all the difference.

Falling in Love with My New Home

I remember the exact moment I realized Salt Lake had become home. I was driving back from St. George, and instead of feeling like I was returning to a temporary place, I felt at peace. You know, when you get that exciting feeling about showering at your own place after a long trip. Yes, that feeling.

The streets weren’t foreign anymore. The skyline felt familiar. I had my favorite spots, my daily rituals, my go-to places when I needed comfort.

That’s when I knew: I wasn’t just visiting anymore.

Final Thoughts: If You’re Thinking About Moving, Do It

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from all my moves, it’s that change is scary, but staying stuck is scarier.

Moving alone taught me resilience, confidence, and the incredible power of stepping outside my comfort zone. It reminded me that home isn’t a place, it’s something you create.

So, if you’re on the fence about making a big move? Do it. Take the leap. Trust yourself. Because the life you’re craving might just be waiting for you on the other side of fear.

And trust me, you’ll never regret choosing yourself.