It’s Okay to Move Back Home

I’m in Miami Bishhhhh! Rosé please! Pour yourself a double because there’s lots to discuss. I’m back home and gosh, so many mixed emotions are seeping through. One half of me kind of feels like some sort of loser who just couldn’t land that job in another state and move across country like so many of my counterparts in college. The other part of me is just ecstatic to be home and surrounded by the people who love me the most while being able to save up a few grand before making that big move. Because, yes. This move is indeed happening. Have you ever felt as conflicted with similar feelings as I am? Well, after being home for exactly a week now, I am here to tell you, have no fear; emotional and financial support is here.

Being able to always fall back on your family is probably the most secure feeling ever. Reconnecting with friends and being able to hang at your favorite spots brings back so many feelings and emotions I didn’t even know were still there. My first weekend back, I linked with my best friend Imani. Gosh, sipping wine at Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant followed with a few Cosmos and Margaritas gave me vibes that I missed entirely too much. It really made me think, gosh, why did I stay away for so long? We’ve all heard the saying "Things happen for a reason." We spend time away in school and try to avoid the reality that maybe some things are indeed happening for a reason. Or not happening, for that matter. We all have big plans to move to the city or probably another country if we’re being honest. But with things not going as planned, it is always necessary to remind ourselves that timing is everything. And with timing, this mental and career break is necessary to recoup and start fresh.

I’m always thankful for having friends who are older. For some reason, I’m always the youngest in my groups of friends. With this, comes wisdom and advice that somehow is delivered at perfect timing. With this move back home, I was overwhelmed with many mixed emotions. Embarrassment, shame, and my pride kept rearing its ugly head. This was something I experienced behind closed doors without anyone knowing. I think we can all relate; right? It wasn’t until one night my girl friend Kiara message me an article that a young woman wrote titled “Moving Back Home Doesn’t Mean You’ve Failed.” We can always count on our fave TV host of The Real to keep it real. It was something that Adrienne Bailon said that gave me comfort and confidence all at the same time. She said, while trying to fight back tears, that she went for her dreams and actually became successful while being in a girl group. However, at some point, that started to fall apart for them. She remembers having to go back home. She thought it was over and had that feeling of embarrassment. She felt like a failure for having to go back home. However, that moment in her life taught her so munch. One of the things that she said that really stuck with me was that the craziest thing in having to go back home, is that she’s okay with it. I mean, seriously. If you can’t go and feel comfortable going where you are loved the most, can you even handle going elsewhere?

This move has taught me so many things. Let’s start with the fact that this is totally okay. Recouping and saving has never done bad to anyone. The best part about it, the fridge is like always packed. Always! But seriously, I am so excited for what the future has in store. Gosh, I’ve missed South Beach, Wynwood and Brickell. Downtown Fort Lauderdale and Hallandale Beach is a change of scenery that will do good for the soul. Maybe I can finally try Tap42 on Sundays for brunch and finally give Table23 Tally the break they’ve been begging for. (Although, they still have the best bottomless mimosas ever!) If this current situation feels similar, I am here to tell you that this is a blessing. Whether it’s in disguise or not.

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