The City Girl

Being born and raised in Chicago I’m considered a city girl. I’ve lived On the south side, eastside and even in the loop. I’ve been accustomed to shopping within my neighborhood, having access to public transportation and always on the constant go. These actions have become like second nature to me because I grew up accustomed to having such amenities available. It was not until I moved away into a rural area I realized just how urbanized I really was. I was molded by the city and all of its availabilities opposed to what I had to adapt myself to. DeKalb is a rural county and when I moved here I was the city girl.

I had become used to constant noise, mobility, small interaction amongst those in my community, and very little hospitality in the loop. My comfort zone was amongst busy people & little interaction, because it's common in urban life. Moving to a rural area was a culture shock for me. What looked like a normal block for me is this towns downtown area. The largest of the city's shopping & local hangout was Wal-Mart, changing gears was an understatement I was in shock for sure. I didn't know how to cope w/ such a drastic change in my life but I knew it was my new reality at minimum for another 4 years. Having the options of fine dining, fast food, or a good pizza was what I was used to my options were limited hugely when I saw my choices were Ruby Tuesday or Dominoes. That then taught me to cook. I was growing more comfortable w/ the constant changes. Within our readings I closely related to Hans & his reaction to change. Equivalent to Hans I had to accept my new way of living & adjust accordingly. Simmel explains urbanism as a lifestyle that is detached from small talk and becoming personable in everyday life.

Urbanism is a state of mind and those of the urban county have to make adjustment when entering a rural area. Adjusting to the people, your surroundings, its equivalent to a new lifestyle.  Because urbanism is a way of life what was comfort was being challenged but in a good way. I was learning patience, as things weren't as fast paced in my new home. I was growing comfortable with the lax way of living; this small city opened me up to a new lifestyle. Interactions became more personable, I was more likely to speak to the people walking down the street & the lack of noise was the most peaceful part of the transition.

Although my initial thoughts on living in a rural area were negative, it turned into a positive experience. I will always be more excited by the city lights & constant motion & skyscrapers because it's my life, but a more subtle way of living isn't so bad. There are positives to both lifestyles as there are two types of people in the world. There are those that are intrigued by a fast paced life & those that'd rather live in closer quarter. I am still a city girl at heart but slowing down a bit isn't always a bad thing.