The story behind ROOTS & WINGS

The idea behind the blog page Roots & Wings is to give people the courage to live other places as form of personal growth and discovery. The idea for this blog comes from a personal place, as I have lived in three different states since I left home for college at 18. My first year was very hard and I called home several days a week. However, as time went on it became easier and I’m so grateful for the experience. It has allowed me to mature and grow in ways that wouldn’t have been possible had I stayed home and went to school and work locally. I have experienced different ways of life and have friends from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. I have tried food and gone to events that were not accessible from my home state.  Furthermore, it has made me more open-minded and allowed me to see America and people through a different lens. As I said in my discussion post roughly 60% of people reside in their state of birth with the top two reasons being fear of starting over and unwillingness to be far from family. My aim is to encourage people to go forth and be bold and help them tackle a new challenge and this is where the name for the blog comes into play. The name Roots and Wings captures the essence of the balance between stability and freedom that living other places gives you. The “roots” represent the foundation of where we come from- our origins whether that be our family, community, or sense of identity. The “wings” symbolize the courage to explore, grow, and venture into new territories, both physically and personally. The name speaks to the idea that while we may be deeply connected to our roots, true personal growth and fulfillment come from having the freedom to soar and embrace change. Community members will be encouraged to honor their beginnings while also inspiring them to spread their wings, step outside comfort zone and purse new opportunities- whether they be big or small.