I’ve never stayed in one place for too long. From one house to another, and a few stops in between, moving became my norm throughout my life. Each time I unpacked my things in a new room, I was also unpacking a new version of myself, one shaped by unfamiliar cities, new schools and the challenge of starting over again and again.

At first, moving felt like a loss. I had to leave behind friends just as we were getting close, adapt to new routines and constantly learn how to fit in without losing myself. The goodbyes were always hard, and the hellos were often awkward. But somewhere along the way, I realized that moving didn’t just mean losing; it meant growing. I was collecting pieces of each place and building a broader view of the world.

Every school taught me something different. One taught me how to speak up in class, another how to listen to others. In some schools, I had to work harder to make friends; in others, I learned how to be okay with the friends I already had. Through all of it, I discovered I was more adaptable than I thought. I learned to observe, to empathize and to be open to new perspectives.

Looking back now, I don’t see my experience as scattered or unstable; I see it as layered. Each move brought lessons I couldn’t have learned any other way. I became a person who values change, who finds comfort in discomfort and who understands that identity isn’t tied to a zip code.

As I prepare to graduate and take yet another step into the unknown, I’m not afraid of what’s next. I’ve already learned how to start over. But this time, it’s not just about adjusting to a new place; it’s about choosing where I go, and who I want to be with when I get there.

Moving taught me resilience, adaptability and to see possibility in every new beginning. I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.