I have found that if you don’t like where you live, don’t change it, change your heart! Many small towns suffer from the “Moving away” syndrome, where people hate the place and want to move. People move away and then don’t like wherever they move, many of whom ended up moving back! I used to live in Minot, ND, and for those that know the area, know what I’m talking about. It’s cold, overpopulated, and the drugs and crime can be bad. I can, but don’t want to paint a worse picture than it is, so I’ll leave the negatives there. I learned to love Minot. Not for it’s weather, but for the people that lived there. I focused on the good and ended up loving the city more than I ever thought that I would. While I was finishing college, I lived in an artist’s community for low income housing, called Artspace, and It was the best decision to end my time in ND staying with them. I soon filled the walls with posters and some artwork from the people living there. We had a gallery to showcase our art, and it was spectacular to see all of the unique art every morning.
I made sure to have as much seating space as possible, so I could invite friends over. I was so proud of this area, and finally felt that this was my home. I had written a novel, which was my ticket in to join such a neat crew of hooligans.
Artists are the most unique, personal, caring, and real individuals. Some of them got me out of my normal routine, and made me create in new ways. I had had a bad breakup, and one of my neighbors and his girlfriend urged that we create something to help me. This colorful table was the result
Many times artists are reclusive, and being let in to their private side, into their apartment, was an honor. They had such unique backgrounds and tastes that being apart of their dwelling would give me a perspective into their lives, and make me appreciate them even more. The group that lived there was so unique that there wasn’t a resident that did the exact same artwork. There was one who made custom jewelry, one that only did found art, photography, and one that did lighting and sound setups for music events. We were a diverse group, and our differences just made us a closer knit bunch.
The summers there were perfect, despite only being above freezing for 5 months of the year. Art is not just stuff we can hang on walls. During my last two years there I built a car from the piston rings out, with the help of friends. One of whom I helped cut his roof off. I can still smell the metal I cut, feel the powder from the bondo, and hear that motor rev for the first time.
North Dakota is a harsh environment, but the people made it worth every second of being there. It helped me to learn how to start projects, and finish them.
Some of the most incredible times I had there were travelling out to the middle of nowhere, and just existing. Enjoying a good campfire and company. North Dakota had some of the most incredible views of the sky. After graduating with chemistry, physics, and comp. sci, I didn’t want to think anymore and needed to clear my mind. This is how I did it:
I made the best of my situation and learned to love a place, not for it’s weather or what it had to offer, but because I took the initiative to start something new, start thinking in different ways, and include others around me to make an experience that was surreal. I love North Dakota, not because of the weeks that it stayed -40 degrees below zero, but because through those hard times, I had people with me. There was someone just like me, who knew that life was for connecting with others, supporting each other, and finding enjoyment where there is none. Living there was a blessing in my life, and because of North Dakota, I will love wherever I live for the rest of my life. When your life is in a weird spot. Take it apart and rebuild it. You’ll find what you’re looking for.
Please let me know your thoughts: of where you lived, what you thought of it, and why you love where you live.