I grew up in a tiny town in East Texas. I spent my first 18 years there. 18 years with the same people, the same places, and the same routine. 18 years of stability and continuity.

I didn't think I'd ever leave.

When I left for college, I decided to stay close to my hometown. I only moved about 100 miles away. This was far enough away to learn how to stand on my own two feet, while being close enough to my parents to still visit regularly.

Since beginning college four years ago, I've moved about six hours away from my hometown. These moves are, without a doubt, the best decisions I've ever made.

Here are a few reasons why you should leave your hometown at least once in your life:

1. You learn that your parents won't always be there to pick you up when you fall.

No matter how amazing your parents are, it's important to realize that you need to be able to survive without them. You need to know how to properly maintain your car, how to cook healthy meals for yourself, and how to properly manage both your time and money.

2. You learn that you must take personal responsibility for your actions.

No one will save you when you're three hours late to work because you stayed out too late last night. Moving away teaches you to grow up and man (or woman) up.

3. You'll learn how to budget.

No more $4 coffees each and every day. Being on your own requires you to carefully contemplate how your hard-earned money will be spent. The ability to budget is something you'll use throughout your life.

4. You'll realize that things don't really change in your hometown.

Yeah, I know this sounds weird. You'll understand after you move away, though. You'll return after being gone for months, and things look exactly the same as they did before you left. You're not really missing out on anything by leaving your hometown.

5. You'll discover who you really are.

There's no better way to figure out who you are than by moving to a new city all by yourself. It's frightening, nerve-wracking and amazing all at the same time.

6. You'll get out of your comfort zone.

This is so important. Often times, people don't leave because fear cripples them. Let go of the "what if's" and step out of your comfort zone for a while. You'll be glad you did.

7. You have the opportunity to learn about yourself.

There is something freeing about being totally and completely happy with your own company.

8. You'll fall in love with new people and places.

This is one of the most amazing things about moving. You'll realize just how adaptable you are.

9. You will realize that you're capable of more than you thought.

Thriving on your own let's you know that YOU'VE GOT THIS!

10. You learn how to maintain relationships from afar.

Just because you move away doesn't mean you no longer love your family. Not at all. It means that you love them, but also want to experience new things. Moving away teaches you how to maintain relationships and which relationships are worth maintaining.

11. You realize that not everyone is the same as you.

Culture shock is something everyone should experience at least once in their lives.

12. You get a fresh start.

No one knows who you were or what you've done in your past. Use this fresh start to the best of your ability.

13. You'll learn that sometimes, the best things in life are things you never planned.

This is my favorite part. You'll learn that not everything can be planned and that God has bigger plans for you than you have for yourself.