I've always lived in a small rural town, so when I decided to go to high school in the middle of my state's capital, I knew I was in for a change. I learned to call the city my second home, but adapting to city life as a country girl comes with its own set of adjustments.
Here are some things you've probably experienced if you've been a country girl in the city.
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1. When people ask where you're from, you say, "You've probably never heard of it, but..."
Or, you just use the closest city that's actually on the map, a general obscure section of a major highway, or some landmark or tourist attraction that they might recognize.
2. You had to learn how to properly cross streets.
The excitement of having a Starbucks within walking distance came with the fear of being hit by one of those "crazy city drivers." You probably had to find some patient friends to teach you how to use crosswalks, but now you're a street-walking pro.
3. "Going to the gym" was a new concept.
It's not that you didn't like the gym, you just probably never had one. For you, exercise meant riding your bike through your neighborhood, swimming in a lake with your friends, or running with your dog in the woods.
4. You were amazed by all the food choices in the city.
Your choices at home probably consisted of a fast food restaurant, a locally-owned pizza place, or your mom's kitchen. The vast amount of restaurants in the city was normal for your friends, but for you it was either overwhelming or exciting.
5. You had to expand your wardrobe.
At home, everyone wore t-shirts, jeans, and either boots or flip-flops as their daily wardrobe. In the city, you had to dress up a little more to fit in. It was fun to explore a new style, but deep down you only felt like you in your boots and jeans.
6. It was hard not to roll your eyes when you heard the term "hick" or "redneck."
At home, being a "redneck" didn't just mean that you liked hunting and drove a truck; it described people who were tied to their roots, hard-working, proud of where they came from, and well...just crazy enough. You were likely irritated when people used it as an insult that was synonymous with "backward."
7. You introduced your friends to country music.
Probably, they all hated it. Sometimes you claimed you didn't like it either, but deep down, you couldn't shake your love for the sound you grew up on. Car rides alone were chances to jam to the song of your people ("Sweet Home Alabama," of course).
8. You understand the phrase, "You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl."
You've learned to love the city and be fascinated with new things, but you know deep down that the world of bare-foot summers and backroads will always be "home." There's nothing like the sense of down-to-earth community in your rural hometown. At the end of the day, you couldn't be prouder to say you come from that town no one's ever heard of.
