"Shortly after earning my Bachelor's degree, I did what any confused 21-year-old would do: I moved to be with a partner. The decision surprised a lot of people in my life. My dad raised his eyebrows at my choice to move for love and to make Texas my home. After all, I'd always dreamed of moving to New York, where I'd launch my writing career. However, moving to Texas seemed like a good option at the time."
"I arrived in northern Texas during a mid-summer nightmare of humidity. I couldn't walk outside without feeling like I'd just entered a sauna - a sharp contrast to California's dry heat. From the very beginning, I tried to find community and make living here work, convincing myself I'd adjust if I just put in enough effort. But I had a tough time finding things to do in my new suburb."
Shortly after college, I moved to northern Texas to be with a long-distance partner, leaving California and my dream of living in New York. The climate, suburban conservatism, and lack of social outlets made adjustment difficult. I sought community but faced quiet weekends, limited activities, and few people who felt like me. The suburb's religious atmosphere conflicted with my non-religious identity, and I began realizing I was romantically attracted to women while missing queer spaces common in larger cities. After struggling to fit in, I ended the relationship and left the state, learning to prioritize my own desires when making life decisions.
Read at Business Insider
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