Last week, I took a major leap and moved to an entirely new city. (If you aren’t in the loop, read about it here.) In the effort to shake up what felt like a normal pattern and put myself out of my comfort zone, I exited that “zone” and remapped my life nearly 1,000 miles away. There’s a beauty in feeling uncomfortable and unaware. I don’t recognize the roads, can’t identify landmarks and hardly know what the acceptable way to greet people is (25 years in Miami will have you kissing strangers’ cheeks in European fashion). And yes, that’s all freakin’ terrifying. That said, there is undeniable excitement in unfamiliarity, exhilaration in fear, and enchantment in everyday life. In seven days, I’ve set roots and begun to blossom in new soil.

It always seems like growth comes with age or milestones, but the timelines are not paced out. (Translation: At 25 years old, I didn’t know how to do laundry until a week ago.) Taking the time to recognize where you’ve been and who you’re becoming is an immensely important thought process to take on, even in the most hectic and fearful of times. It helps keep you grounded while reminding you that you’re feet above the ground you started from. As someone who has risen to the challenge and been knocked down almost simultaneous, I understand complacency is the path of least resistance. Growth is an intimidating process but it’s necessary to our functionality. Hell, it is our functionality. Being afraid of the person you’ll become is a heck of a lot more binding than meeting the future you.

So as someone who has fled an engagement, exceeded personal expectations, faced failure and departed from the familiar, I can tell you that fighting the person you’re going to become is a dead end path. The secret to growth is knowing that whether your experience is good or bad, predictable or awe-inspiring, you gained something in return.

One of my all-time favorite quotes is from Haruki Murakami, who said:

And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.

Like any of you, I’ve had my fair share of storms and never thought I’d be living out any of the goals I’ve envisioned. Whether you’re stuck in a category 5 hurricane or just merely looking for sunshine on an overcast day, there is importance in replanting yourself either literally or metaphorically. So here I am… plotted between Houston and Miami. The sky is clear and the opportunities are endless. I’m sprinkling seeds in a new career, blogging adventures, a nurtured relationship and as many places as I can bloom in. Where will you plant yourself next?

Get my look: Forever 21 Dress, H&M White Clutch, Michael Kors Watch (similar version here), BaubleBar Ice Arrow Bangle, BaubleBar Monogram Necklace, Francesca’s Collections Knot Bangle, Francesca’s Collections Circle Elastic Bracelet, and BCBGeneration Darron Pumps.