Leave Your Hometown Or Stay Average Forever

Summary

The speaker reflects on the transformative impact of leaving their hometown at 19, attending college in Albany, and later moving to Las Vegas and Austin. These experiences broadened their worldview, enhanced social skills, and led to self-discovery. They emphasize the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone to explore different cultures and perspectives, ultimately leading to personal growth and a more fulfilling life.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Traveling and living in different places can lead to personal growth and a broader perspective on life.
• 🏫 The speaker's first experience living away from home at the University at Albany opened their eyes to new ways of viewing the world.
• 🤝 Living with a roommate from a different background helped the speaker develop an understanding of diverse lifestyles and become more open-minded.
• 🏙️ The energy and environment of a place, like the eastern side of New York, can significantly impact one's social skills and personal development.
• 🏠 Returning to one's hometown can provide comfort but may also limit personal growth due to familiarity and preconceived notions about oneself.
• 🌟 Moving to Las Vegas was a transformative experience that allowed the speaker to fully embrace their YouTube career and understand different life perspectives.
• 💔 Disagreements and differences in values can lead to the end of shared living situations, but they also provide valuable lessons about personal preferences and beliefs.
• 🔄 Relocating to Austin, Texas, was a deliberate choice to seek out new experiences and align with a more diverse and open-minded community.
• 🤔 The speaker emphasizes the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone and embracing the unknown to achieve personal and professional growth.
• 📚 Interviews with students from various backgrounds highlight the benefits of leaving one's hometown, including exposure to different cultures and the opportunity to challenge one's beliefs.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial experience when leaving their hometown for the first time?

The speaker was 19 and extremely nervous when they left their hometown for the University at Albany. This was the first time they would be living away from home and didn't know anyone there, which they believed could potentially change their life.

How did the speaker's roommate impact their experience at the University at Albany?

The speaker's roommate, found through a website like Room Surf, was a significant part of their experience. Living with a complete stranger from a different part of the country helped the speaker become more open-minded and understand different ways of living.

What realization did the speaker have after their freshman year at college?

The speaker realized that Albany was not the right place for them and decided to transfer back home to finish their undergraduate studies, despite the self-discoveries they made that year.

Why did the speaker feel held back in Buffalo, their hometown?

The speaker felt held back in Buffalo because everyone knew them as the 'socially awkward quiet average kid' from their past, making it hard to reinvent themselves and pursue their dreams of making YouTube a full-time job.

What prompted the speaker to move to Las Vegas, Nevada?

The speaker was prompted to move to Las Vegas when their high school friend, who is now a YouTuber named Nick White, asked them to move into an Airbnb with him and a couple of others, offering a chance to work on their YouTube career.

How did living in Las Vegas influence the speaker's YouTube career?

Living in Las Vegas, especially with other YouTubers, created an environment that demanded creativity and brainstorming of ideas. This experience helped the speaker learn about YouTube and grow their brand, ultimately making YouTube their full-time job.

What was the outcome of the speaker's time in the Airbnb house in Las Vegas?

The outcome was that after some heated arguments and dramatic events, the Airbnb house split up, and the speaker found themselves back in an apartment in their hometown of Buffalo, New York.

What lesson did the speaker learn from their experience in Las Vegas?

The speaker learned the importance of living in different situations and experiencing various belief systems, ways of living, and values, which helped them understand why some people react and believe in certain ways about reality.

Why did the speaker decide to move to Austin, Texas?

The speaker decided to move to Austin, Texas, after feeling antsy and wanting to recreate the novel experiences they had during their freshman year and time in Vegas. They wanted to explore different parts of themselves and seek out the unknown.

What was the speaker's experience after moving to Austin, Texas?

After moving to Austin, the speaker fell in love with the city, appreciating its liberal side and the requirement to think with an open mind due to the diverse political spectrum. They made great connections and felt the city aligned with the energy they were looking for.

What advice would the speaker give to someone considering leaving their hometown?

The speaker advises taking the leap to leave their hometown to explore different parts of the world and oneself. They emphasize that the potential for growth and self-discovery is immense and that the regret of not trying is bigger than any potential regret from trying.