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SURPRISE! I MOVED TO WYOMING!!!

The last semester of my college experience was not what I expected it to be at all. My entire senior year at Ole Miss, I was filled with anxiety about my next steps, finding a job, moving out of Mississippi, and it did not help as I watched everyone around me do just what I was wanting to do. It was seemingly impossible to accept that for an Integrated Marketing Communications major, the job hunt was more difficult and something no one really prepared you for or even taught you how to do! But, hey… I guess I went to college for a degree anyways. Not a career???

As January came around, the stress became bearing down on me even more. Unexpected changes in my personal life did not help my situation and I became very depressed and sad. I was attending therapy twice a week with two different therapists, but that was not even enough for me. I always let my emotions get in the way of things, but I would honestly rather have emotions than none at all . I gave up for a while and had no motivation to even look at my course work or do anything, for that matter. The pain I felt back in the early months of the year was worse than anything I have ever felt in my whole life to the point when those emotions resurface and come back, I am sad for the rest of that day…

I knew I needed to get out of similar environments that made those painful emotions resurface frequently and I knew I needed change. My friends that are amazing were continuing to lift me up, but I was still sad and I knew that going away was best for me to feel better and move on/ be happy again. (Similar idea as to when I found myself in Italy) It is hard to grow in an environment that you are so sad in, no matter the circumstances. (I have learned, lol…)

My sophomore year roommate told me her plans for post-graduation and told me I should join her on her adventure. I pondered with the idea and thought hard about whether or not I should jump on it or not. I had not ever even been to Wyoming before! What is it like? Would I like it? Would it be too cold? Would I hate it??? I had so many questions, but at the same time… I did not care because I was dying to escape the pain of my current situation and I needed a way out. Long story short, I said screw it and told her I would move with her to Wyoming at the end of May.

Flash forward to May 23rd 2021. I left Mississippi and drove all the way to Wyoming.
Alexis and I stayed with friends along our journey to make our trip to Wyoming even more unforgettable and special.
Brandon, MS —>College Station, TX —>Clovis, NM —>Denver, CO —> Alpine, WY

Just like that, on May 26th, 2021, we made it to WYOMING!

I am not one to love the idea of change. In fact, change scares me. I will say I am good at adapting to new places, but when it comes to a lot of change at once, especially for a longer period of time and leaving everyone and everything you have known for so long behind, it is hard.

The first week that I was in Wyoming was very difficult for me. I was thrown in to working 10 hour shifts four days out of the week! I was sleep deprived from traveling and I was still trying to get adjusted and settled into the altitude change, weather, and more. It was HARD for a second. Hard, but at the same time… Freeing. I felt so free.

My co-workers were so inclusive and welcoming. Everyone in Wyoming that realized I was new to town was so happy and excited to welcome a new local in to their town. I felt so invited and loved just being there a week.

Due to the housing situation in Jackson, WY, my roommates and I commute from Alpine to Jackson. We have fallen in love with Alpine and our sweet neighbor, Ms Betty. Barbara from the rock and gem store calls us her children and Erin from Melvin’s brewery is always excited to see us when we come to watch the live music.

Today marks 3 weeks here in Wyoming. 3 weeks of growth. 3 weeks of making friends. 3 weeks of exploring and adventure. 3 weeks of just figuring it out. 3 weeks of some mornings waking up and wondering what the heck I am doing all of the way out here, 1,734 miles away. 3 weeks of finding what I am grateful for. 3 weeks of making connections all across the world. 3 weeks of improving myself and only bettering who I want to be. 3 weeks down and so many more to go…

I had no idea what to expect when I hopped in my car to move to Wyoming. I knew I had to get away in order to grow and be happy again. Some people might not get that, but two therapists weren’t helping me and sometimes we know ourselves and know our own needs better than anything and anyone else.

These past 3 weeks have taught me so much about myself. The people that I surround myself with continue to lift me up and encourage me to always do my best. Even though I love Ole Miss and the memories made there, it is so refreshing to get away from the gossip and cliches that come with being in a college town.

We are all people and we all crave similar things in life. Companionship, partnership, kindness, friendships, a sense of belonging, etc. Since being here, I have learned how to just simply be kind to people. Not saying I wasn’t kind before, I would like to think that I was… Being here, though, has taught me how to -on a deeper level- treat others with respect even if you are trying to close down your store at 10pm and they are letting their kids run around and throw magnets and postcards on the ground. ~Patience~ Which is something I struggle with if you know me! Just smile and ask them how their day was. Make an impression on them. You never know who you could meet!

AND… if you are sad and lonely and not in a good place, get out. I hate associating emotions with specific locations and what not, but your environment affects you tremendously. If you are down in the dumps and feel lost, make a change to better yourself. Yes, it is scary. Yes, it is hard. Yes, it is challenging, and YES you have to be vulnerable and put yourself out there. BUT… that is the only way you can grow. I knew what I needed to better myself and I did it.

Anyways, I just wanted to share my story about moving to Wyoming in hopes that someone who needs to hear this comes across it. Life is hard. We go through hard things. There are seasons in our lives we think that we will never get out of, but I thank God every day for the challenges I have faced and the new opportunities that are thrown my way. After all, it is all in His hands!

Follow me on VSCO to keep up with how beautiful it is out here! https://vsco.co/lexieonb/gallery