One year of me and Tennessee.
It’s no secret that time flies but when I got a letter on my door the other day that it was time to renew my lease, I did a double take.
I am about to hit my one-year mark in Nashville. And that blows my mind.
The transition hasn’t been all easy, but I can confidently say I am an advocate for moving somewhere new, where you know no one, in your 20s. I have grown so much from taking this leap, and I think it might be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Every year around my birthday, I compile a list of things I learned that year and publish it on here.
It isn’t my birthday, but in similar fashion, I thought I’d share a list of things I’ve learned in this year of living on my own, in a new place.
Here’s 20 things one year of me and Tennessee has taught me:
My always passionate “Go Gators!” has only been returned to me twice. (Truly tragic, I know. The shade of orange around here is the one item that has made me question my moving decision.) BUT. I have learned that whenever it comes up that I graduated from Florida and I start to see a level of disgust forming on the face of whoever I’m talking to that clearly reveals they’re a Vol, all I have to do is interject: “But Tim Tebow!” and their face lights up 9/10 times. (They love you over here, Tim!)
Being known by baristas and asked if I want my usual, might be my favorite thing on this planet.
Tennesseans don’t know what real humidity is.
Learning to go do things alone feels like a superpower and is actually so fun. The most secure I’ve ever felt is now, when I know I can be fully comfortable with my own company.
But people also need other people. Making friends as an adult is a different ball game, but I am here to report that it is possible.
Ball games! Speaking of those, spending ten bucks to sit in the grass at Nashville Sounds games tops my list for favorite type of Friday nights. But I’m sure that doesn’t shock a lot of you. (Remember my Glory Days, Dad?)
Did you know a dryer isn’t supposed to be so loud that you can’t hear the other person in the room? Also, a fuse box?? You should know where that is… my maintenance guys and I are good friends.
For a whole year, I’ve been the one who has to kill the bugs in my apartment. (Another tragedy. But I am brave, and I have a 100% success rate.)
I love when people visit Nash! Everyone come to Nash!
When I FaceTime my family while I’m cooking, it makes everyone nervous. Including me.
There’s like a million things to do when it comes to moving. Don’t ask me how many times I’ve been to the DMV. Sore subject.
A shocking number of Floridians don’t know that Tennessee is in a different time zone. (Yes, Grandma. I am usually still asleep when you call me at 8am your time every Saturday.)
Snow? What the heck is that.
But also, having seasons is great. I started to miss the FL heat a little in the winter, but not living in 90 degrees all year long? Incredible.
An easy way to get established with a new system of doctors in your new state, is to just land yourself in the ER! (Kidding. Kind of. I do now have almost every doctor I’d need, here in Tennessee. Blessing in disguise.)
I am very proud of how well I can navigate BNA to MCO. I can rip through BNA on my scooter, with a suitcase in hand, faster than probably should be allowed.
Speaking of my scooter, duct tape has held it together for four months! I am my own mechanic, thank you very much. (Not the scooter you fixed, Uncle Rob. I swear, that one is still fully intact. Also, unlike you, I haven’t flipped it… yet.)
Nashville Hot Chicken. Never again.
Catch this. At Publix here, if something is BOGO and you only buy one, it’s still half off! Still shocks me every time I'm checking out. Step up your game, FL.
In all seriousness, doing things that scare you are worth it. And they probably won’t be as scary as you think they will be.