In September of last year, I moved from Bellevue, Washington (the only place I have ever lived) to the DMV area for career opportunities and a change of pace. Now that Washington DC has been my home for the past three months, I feel that it’s time to address how moving from the west coast to the east coast has affected me as a writer and a creative.
I’ll start off by saying that since I left home, I’ve noticed that I’m in a much better place creatively. I’m more disciplined about my writing routine, I’m coming up with several new project ideas, and I’ve even started exploring different ways to further my career that I normally wouldn’t have even considered. Overall, in the last few months, I’ve been feeling more confident and willing to take risks, and I attribute this new-found passion to the experiences I’ve had here on the east coast. Given this, I’ve decided to compile a list of things I’ve learned so far from moving across the country as way to further explain the affects this move has had on my personal growth and creative endeavors, and to elaborate on why you, as a writer, should make the move as well.
It’s Easier to Get a Job and Start Your Career.
If you’re a recent graduate you already know how difficult it can be to get a new job. However, if you’re willing to relocate this can substantially widen your options. While some companies are reluctant to hire employees from out of state, others are prepared to take that chance, so stating on your applications a willingness to transfer can make the difference between you getting picked for that writing or editorial position verses the next person.
Additionally, there are many cities throughout the country that have an abundant amount of jobs for writers. In Washington DC, for example, there’s a huge job market in general, but particularly for journalism, and New York is a great place for any writers looking to pursue careers in publishing, as it’s home to many big-name publishing companies.
I use the east coast as an example here because this is where I moved to, however, obviously there are other places in the US that offer many literary or writing based jobs as well. Even moving overseas could benefit you, as London has an expansive writing and editorial job market, as well as a diverse writing community.
Honestly, as a writer it really doesn’t matter whereyou go, the most important thing is to be willing to relocate and to state so on your applications. Doing this can improve the overall chances of getting a job for just about anyone in any career field. The most important step is to be opened minded about taking the leap, and to do enough research so you can go where the jobs are for your desired career field.
Getting out of Your Comfort Zone Can Encourage Creativity.
I know my comfort zone very well. Too well. So, I understand wholeheartedly that it’s much easier to stay in the place where you grew up, where your family can support you, where you can hang out with friends and not have to worry about making new ones. Home is the place where you know how to get everywhere you need to go without GPS, where you know which neighborhoods are safe and which too avoid. However, while moving to a new place and having to relearn all these things can be undeniably stressful, this change in your day to day routine can also inspire a lot of creativity.
For example, moving to the DMV area and working in Washington DC has opened my eyes to a lot of differences between east coast and west coast living, especially when it comes to transportation. Trains and buses are utilized more over here, and many people who work in DC don’t even bother with driving. Since moving here, I’ve started learning how to utilize the metro system for the first time and make my way through the city to get to work. It’s a very different experience from the way I moved around back in Washington State. It hasn’t always been easy navigating this new terrain, however it has taught me a lot about independence and has opened my eyes to differing lifestyles.
Walking through a new city, traveling around, learning where everything is, and orienting yourself can be scary, but it’s also very exciting. And I’ve found that experiencing and learning about new places brings about a whole new set of ideas. Sometimes a change of pace and some new scenery is exactly what we need to get us excited again about life in general, as well as our creative endeavors and goals.
Experiencing a New Culture Can Be Inspiring.
For me, a positive of working and living near DC is the culture. Some interesting things about this area is that there is a strong political atmosphere here (obviously); in fact, it’s not taboo in this area to discuss politics even at the work place. Additionally, there’s a plethora of museums here that are free, and you could spend an entire day learning about the history and culture of so many different topics. Not only that, but many events happen here as well, both literary and other wise, and I’ve found that every day there is something happening that truly inspires me.
I would also like to mention that there is simply more diversity here in comparison to where I’m from. Frankly, there’s a larger African American population. This is something that is also very significant to me, as growing up in the Pacific Northwest, particularly living in the areas that I did, I didn’t get to be around many people with the same cultural and racial background as myself. This has affected the way I think, and honestly, the way I write. So I personally feel glad to be in a place where I can immerse myself in that culture, and I also believe that being in such a diverse atmosphere has definitely made me more eager to write.
Bottom line: with new cities comes new histories, new attractions, and different cultural atmospheres. Diving into the culture and history of a new place is a great way to get some inspiration.
You Meet New People and New Creative Circles.
So far while I’ve been on the east coast I have already spent time in Washington DC, Ocean City, Philadelphia, and New York. During these trips, especially New York, I got to meet new people at writing and literary events who were genuinely inspiring people. A great thing about moving to a new place is being able to interact with other writers and readers who you probably would have never met if you stayed indefinitely in your hometown.
Apart from this, there are also other literary communities and writing organizations in new cities that you could really benefit from, especially if your own city doesn’t have anything like that. Seattle, for example, is home to the Hugo House which offers many writing classes and literary readings for aspiring and established writers to attend, and the California Writers Clubhas 22 branches across the state of California with helpful literary resources! In general, different places in the United States emphasize interest in different communities, and it could be worth it to move to a different city to have more resources and tools available to you, as you can use them to make headway in your career.
You Learn More About Yourself.
Yes, finally, we’ve arrived at the cliché. Still, there is a fair amount of truth in this, because moving to a new place away from all your friends and family can really allow you to rediscover yourself. It’s an odd experience to realize that we do not have to be tied to our hometown, and that we can create a new self, new career, new life, in a new place. And for me I have found that it’s been easier to reinvent myself in a place where no one has any preexisting opinions about me.
Additionally, you truly gain independence living away from your family in a city you’ve never been before, as you don’t have a support system to lean on in your everyday routine. Since moving I have discovered many different aspects of myself, and I’ve surprised myself by how resilient and resourceful I can be when left to my own devices. I am more in tune with myself, I trust my instincts more, and this ultimately has made me a better and more confident writer. Everything we create is an extension of ourselves, and if we hold ourselves back from new experiences, our stories are sure to suffer.
Conclusion.
I spent the first half of last year trying to get as close to New York as I possibly could so that I could get a job in publications, find a literary agent, and be one step closer to achieving my dream of landing a book deal with one New York’s big-name publishing companies (a very optimistic fantasy, I know). However, fate obviously had a different plan as I landed an editorial assistant position in Washington DC, and honestly, I’m very grateful for this experience. So far, the DMV area has been a great place to explore, and I’ve still been able to visit Philadelphia, New York, and many other places in just the few months that I’ve been here. Of course, there’s still a lot more traveling to do, things to see, and lessons to learn. Nonetheless, I would say that moving has already widened my perspective immensely and added some excitement to my day to day routine, and this has made me more motivated to write. Even after just spending a day in New York City, I got on the train home and immediately started planning out a new project.
So, if you’re a young person or a recent graduate and you’re considering making a big move for your career or creative pursuits, I truly feel that you should do it. Of course, there is nothing inherently wrong about never leaving your hometown, however it’s important to open yourself up to new opportunities to grow, especially as a creator, and sometimes never leaving home can keep us in a box that stifles our creativity, our passions, and our excitement for life. Whether you decide to go to the east coast, the west coast, or an entirely different continent, just take the leap. Your next move is sure to inspire you.
Note:The advice and information here can and does apply to everyone. I only specifically angle this article to writers as this is my brand. If you are thinking about moving and you’re an aspiring engineer, nurse, or lawyer, by all means, please take this advice!
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