NEVER SAY NEVER-LEAVING MY SMALL TOWN FOR THE BIG CITY

In just a few days my view will look much different. Skyscrapers and high rises won't be filling the horizon I look out at. I won't be surrounded by funky smells and concrete. Instead, I'll be looking at enormous mountains that fill the skyline and dirt trails beneath my feet. However, I also won't be surrounded by a community full of culture, diversity & pride. 

When I first mentioned I was moving to Chicago (for a few months) friends, family, and even acquaintances looked at me with confusion and skepticism. I could tell they thought I had finally lost it. "You, in Chicago? Why?", "It's a big city you know”, "there's no mountains there-are you sure?” I wasn’t in denial. Everything they were saying was loud and clear. (side note: I greatly appreciate those who know me well enough to call me out on decisions that seem out of character and slightly crazy). The truth is, I too questioned my own decision at times. If there's one thing I knew really well about myself it is that: 1. I hate running on concrete. (my body hates it) 2.Large crowds overwhelm me. 3. I’d never live in a city.  I grew up a semi suburban-country girl, who pushed away from the busy life and grew into a mountain woman out of necessity. Nothing fulfills me more than being out in nature and by beautiful landscapes. But, there's another thing I also know. Never say never. No matter what you think you know, anything is possible and people will always surprise you. Even your self .

When you've been putting yourself out to the universe in a million directions waiting for a sign to lead you in the right direction, and all you hear is silence. It's probably for a reason. At the same time, when an opportunity (or love) shows up on your doorstep, perfectly wrapped saying "this way", it's also probably for a reason and not just coincidence.

In my case, such an opportunity was terrifying, sudden and completely opposite of the path I was headed down. My extremely new boyfriend suggested I move to Chicago with him. He was also living in my little mountain town and already had a plan of attack. To leave Flagstaff in search of something new, and to get out of his comfort zone as well. Deep down I too was in search of the same experience. I just wasn’t sure what that would look like. At first I was skeptical of the whole idea. To start, we had only been dating like 2 months, and both had just gotten out of long-term relationships. I definitely was not looking for commitment by any means. Now I'm going to move across the country? Live together? What was I thinking. Honestly, I was getting ready to buy some land to live off-grid and become a farmer, aspiring writer and one among the wild. That is all I thought I wanted. However, when I really thought about it more deeply I realized, maybe this wasn't the answer to the way I was feeling. (and I would probably end up more loony if I moved to the middle of nowhere just me and my dog pal Nelly).  Regardless, what I really wanted was something completely different from my normal life. I wanted to challenge myself too, get a little uncomfortable. By living somewhere new unlike where I have been residing for the last 10 years.

As you can tell, I said yes! Although, It was not to long after the excitement settled that the realism set in. Could I do this? Could I Adapt to a new home, a big city where I knew no one, and a new relationship? That’s a whole lot all at once. I literally got rid of everything. I mean everything. My belongings I was attached to, my furniture, and my car so that I could begin another chapter in my life and go after a new adventure and career endeavor.

“ Did I just make the worst decision of my life? I tried not to let the fear overcome me, but I’m sure it was written all over my face.”

As I slowly watched my life being sold off, saying goodbye to dear friends and watching the mountains disappear in the rear-view mirror as we headed East, my heart sank a little. Did I just make the worst decision of my life? I tried not to let the fear overcome me, but I’m sure it was written all over my face.

I left a place that brought me so much happiness and fulfillment. A place I had built, a life I loved (or thought I did). I had the trails right out of my doorstep, a good job, a new business that was doing Ok, and a wonderful community. But the truth is, I was feeling stifled. No longer did I want to continue being a “hair-stylist” and rely on a job I was no longer fulfilled by, just to pay the bills. Especially after the hard work I just put in to receive an Environmental Science degree. Six months after graduating I was becoming comfortable and complacent. Feeling tired of the same old same. I needed to shake things up!

Rarely do we get the opportunity to take a leap of faith, try something new, or pursue a dream. (so you better say YES if you ever get the chance.) It's easy for many of us to feel timid or restricted to leave the comforts of a secure job, friends, and life-styles for the sake of the unknown. Especially if there is the possibility of failing or being completely miserable. For some this is even leaving your hometown where you grew up. For me I thankfully did that years ago. Left the North East and headed West. But it had been so long, and I'm not 20 years old anymore.  And, both scenarios are completely different. I found myself timid too, scared of failing or hating the city life.

However, I knew too that just as bad I wanted to travel, and focus on my writing and business -Harvesting Roots. To immerse myself in a new environment, new surroundings, and new experiences constantly. In this case I wanted to see if I could grow even a little bit of roots with the people of Chicago.

By moving to Chicago I thought perhaps I would be re-inspired. Maybe the city would remind me that a lot still needs to be done individually and collaboratively in regards to addressing climate change and our environmental issues. I knew that the majority of those living my little mountain town of Flagstaff, Arizona already were. (Although some not). I was curious to see how people in Chicago were living their lives. In a progressive big city. Are the newer generations environmentally conscious being so disconnected from nature? Are they interested in empowering local communities and making the world a better place? Or could people here care less? Were they more interested in the hustle bustle, individualized and disposable life-styles? If so, could I connect with these different mind sets? What could I teach them, or what would they teach me?

Soon enough, I got acquainted and settled in. With the boyfriend and the city. I explored new parks, restaurants, urban farms, architecture and trendy neighborhoods. Luckily, the boyfriend just so happened to choose the “greenest” part of the city to live in-Lincoln Park. Even given the name “Garden in the city.” This literally saved me. I had at least some access to a trail system (or bike path) to run, gorgeous green open spaces, ponds and lush gardens all around us. At first city living was refreshing. A million more options for just about everything was definitely exciting and a fun change of pace.

I have nothing but great feelings and good things to say about my time spent in the “Windy city”, and I learned a lot about myself in the process. As for Chicago, it's progressive yet not pretentious. Sure, if you talk about your favorite sports team and it doesn’t align with theirs, you’ll definitely hear about it-and passionately. The Mid-western spirit showed. Most people no matter who they were, smiled back and showed some openness in getting to know two strays that clearly didn’t look like they were from around there. Chicagoans aren’t above what you have to offer either. When I began talking about what it is that I am aspiring to do, conversations were often supportive. Which was surprising. Many agreed that they too believed in Climate change and supported my cause. Especially after many repeated the same story of how the last few winters there have been just “bizarre”. No snow and temperatures barely dropping below 40 degrees. Individuals that weren't living in the most environmentally conscious way already,  were pretty receptive in learning more about the issues and what they could do more to help.

As a whole City I found Chicago is actually making great strides in trying to be a “greener” city and lowering their carbon footprint. Policies have been put in place like “banning the bag” where consumers are charged a sales tax if they wish to use a plastic bag to take their goods home. As well, Chicago is making it a priority to preserve as much “green space” as possible all throughout the city. Having over 580 parks and nearly 8,300 acres of grass, flowers and tree space all preserved and protected. LEED certified buildings are also popping up everywhere. Either through remodeling and re-purposing of older buildings or by new architecture. Very cool of Chicago's Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who has also committed to shift city-owned buildings to 100% renewable energy by 2025.

I was lucky enough to have time to check out PLANT CHICAGO. A 93,000 square foot industrial building once used for pork processing and packing. It is now one of Chicago's best experiments showcasing a working buisness model for closing waste, resource and energy loops. The facility will eventually divert over 10,000 tons of food waste from landfills each year, while providing enough electricity to power over 250 homes. All through a closed-loop projects that help each other from aquaponic farms to breweries.

They have great public transportation systems such as buses and metro-lines that go just about anywhere in and around the city. Also providing large bike lanes on major roads to encourage more bike commuting. As well as providing others who don’t own a bike or are visiting to ride by installing “Divy” bike stations all over the city. Which you can rent at any time.

Of course, what I found most impressive about Chicago was their food scene. But I was most impressed by their commitment to the land and farmers just outside the city. As well as urban growers within the city limits. More often than not numerous restaurants & cafes showed their mid-western spirit by serving fresh, local & organic food from surrounding areas. When you leave Chicago and its suburbs, immediately you are surrounded by hundreds of miles of farm land on either side. Their connection to these areas and traditions around farming showed through their cuisine here.  Chefs in the area sourced as much of their ingredients from local farms and provision companies as possible. More than a handful of restaurants even had their very own vegetable gardens on site.

From urban gardens to roof-top farms. There were tremendous efforts being done to keep this community and it's economy circular. Restaurants and roof top gardens were making their way to more abandoned urban neighborhoods, bringing clean and healthy food to areas located in food deserts. Every hood had weekly farmers markets, and backyard farms were growing everywhere for youth and adults to learn about the importance of organic food. And, get involved in learning how to grow their own food. Making Chicago one of the first pioneer cities in the States for more Sustainable communities and Urban Farms. I truly was impressed and will have more stories to share about the gardens and eateries I checked out later.

I've gained great insight and inspiration living here in Chicago, and still have a list of places I wanted to see and people to connect with! However my two months here are over and as expected I've been missing my life of peace and quiet, running in the woods with my dog, doing my own gardening, and breathing fresh air. (or maybe I was just over taking my dog down 16 floors just to go pee, or waking up to the sounds of sirens and honking horns). I’m heading back to the Southwest and simple life. Though I’m not headed back to my home in Arizona, I’ll be starting another adventure and harvesting roots in yet another new destination, Salt Lake City. Here I'll climb new mountains, fish in the rivers, ski and get my yoga teacher certification.

As we get ready to leave Chicago, I realize maybe I have a little less than I started (by some standards). I am still putting in 8 hours of work a day, not a paid Eco-blogger yet, and my bank account is quickly depleting. But it is often in the moments of uncertainty and being uncomfortable where we truly grow. And this journey was a great reminder that sometimes what seems like a step back can be a step forward. Regardless of what the situation may seem like in the moment. Crazy or sudden changes can be life's way of redirecting us. So that we can shed the old, and start anew. There are always important lessons to be learned. It turned out my leap to the unknown wasn’t so bad after all. I launched the blog Harvesting roots. I not only survived, but I thrived the best I could. My boyfriend and I still like each other, and I am leaving Chicago grateful. I was able to gain lots of new content and perspective about how even a big city is making efforts in becoming greener, and helping underprivileged communities thrive.  I realized that I can adapt to new and different places, and I can still be pretty happy anywhere. Our situation is what you make it no matter where you are and who you surround yourself with. And lastly, that maybe even my small outdoorsy mountain town I left behind may too have something to learn from the big city.