When I first found out that our next destination was Louisiana, I didn’t quite know how to respond. I’ve never had anything against Louisiana. After all, my dad was born there. Part of the blood running through my veins is Cajun, plus I grew up on gumbo and dirty rice. It’s just…there are a lot of other places to live. Places in Texas. I didn’t know what to think or how I was going to wrap my head around the whole situation.
I began to get a little panicked. I would to be The New Girl again. Flashbacks of days sitting in my house, not leaving, not knowing anyone, not having a single person to call and say “Hey, want to get coffee?” came to mind and terrified me. I’ve made a place for myself here, and it’s taken me awhile to do that. The thought of wiping the slate clean and starting over in a new place, IN A NEW STATE, was unsettling and frankly, scary.
It was then I realized that I had a choice. I had come to a fork in the road. I could choose between two possibilities. The road I was on was Texas, and that was ending, whether I liked it or not. Either side of the fork was Louisiana, and I had no say in that. But I did have some freedom in the matter.
I once heard someone say that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. So I’m reacting positively. I’m making this new location mine. I’m going to get in there and make a life for myself in this new place — and a damn good life, at that. I’m going introduce myself to people and offer to write for the local magazine and basically do there what I’ve done here. There will be no lapse of time, like there was when I first moved to small town East Texas, where I stayed in my house for months and didn’t get anywhere.
I’m ignoring the tine of the fork that says “You won’t know anyone. You won’t know where to go and what to do. You’d better just sit in your living room and feel sad about your life for a while.” NOT AN OPTION. When this is all said and done, the people of Acadiana won’t know what hit them. A girl from Texas is on her way, so they’d better get ready. I’m pulling that fork right out of the road and using it to devour every opportunity and experience I can. And they’ll probably taste awesome, like gumbo and dirty rice.
San says:
Love your attitude, Lauren. Starting over in a new place is never easy, but with this attitude you’ll win them all over in a heartbeat! :)
Lauryn says:
You may not know anyone or know where to go, but the joy will come in finding those things. Love your attitude, as always! Keep spreading that positivity :)
Molly says:
And your best girls will be there to visit before you know it!! xoxo
Georgina says:
Honestly it wouldn’t surprise me if some fantastic Louisiana ladies already read your blog and reach out to you to welcome you to the area!
You’re such a WONDERFULLY positive person who will make the best out of whatever state she’s living in. We have faith in you and will be here to support you during your move!
xo Georgina
Marlena says:
Utmost faith in you girlfriend!
kate @ undeniable style says:
Highly recommend the book “MWF seeks BFF” – just finished it myself! While I’ve lived in SF for 8 years, my situation changed dramatically recently & I’ve found myself without any close friends in proximity. Good luck girl! You’re a rock star.
Jennifer O. says:
I truly understand. In the past year we left our house in Richmond, VA, moved to Wichita, KS, then I returned to our house in Richmond with our toddler, to finally meet back up with my husband in Denver, CO. Moving is bad enough but totally stressful when you have to pay a mortgage, rent, separate your family and are raising a toddler. You can do this if I can!!
Heahther says:
I’m so proud of you and you are going to have a fabulous life no matter where you live. You know why? Because YOU are fabulous!! XOXO from Chicago Mom!!!