Written by Ellie Simpson – Country To Canberra Teen Blogger
It’s hard to be myself.
That is the only downfall of living in a rural area like Burnie, Tasmania. I don’t mean that it’s hard to be myself as in talking to people or expressing my feelings. No – this is much more than that. I can’t express my fashion. It comes naturally to me to walk the streets of our little town in the highest platform shoes I own and one of many faux fur coats. You know how you can just sense when someone is looking at you? I look at a passersby and I catch them every time. Looking me up and down like I’m some sort of circus act they’ve never laid eyes on before, thinking ‘What on Earth is this chick doing in a town like this?”. And sometimes, that is exactly how I feel. Someday, I will live in a city like Melbourne or Sydney where I can wear my leather jeans and furry jackets in a place where my clothing choice is more… appreciated. Occasionally, I get tired of the same four clothing shops in town. However, living in a rural town isn’t so bad. When I really think about it, there are a number of things I like a lot about my town;
1. COMMUNITY CLOSENESS
In a town like Burnie, it’s easy to know everyone. And by everyone, I mean literally – EVERYONE. This can be good and bad depending on how private you prefer to be about your life. But whenever someone is in need, the people of Burnie are here to help. The people living in rural towns are kind to one another – holding fundraisers for people in need, giving a helping hand to schools or supporting local businesses and organisations. We can all use a little bit of help, even if we think we don’t need any.
2. THE SCENERY
I forget how beautiful Tasmania is now that I’m driving by myself. I used to stare out the window as a kid and feel too car sick to even look outside. Now that I’m driving, I’m concentrating too much to notice what’s going on beyond the highway. Every now and then when I am a passenger in someone’s car, I spend that time admiring the view. There are so many animals and so much greenery; I sometimes wish I paid more attention to how beautiful the countryside is. It’s not often that highways runs along the ocean around the whole state.
3. GOODBYE BUT COME AGAIN
Tasmania is a great place to grow up. Close friends and family, a bit of country fun (depending on where in the state you are), and a great education. Some people, like myself, who feel the need to move to the big city at some point, can do so. Nothing is stopping you. The world is your oyster, they say. Rural towns are always going to be around, and they’re a great place to come home to. Most people grow up here in Burnie, move to the mainland for school or work and then come home to raise their families. And the cycle repeats.
4. PEOPLE ARE SO NICE
There’s not much more to say than what is in the subheading. It’s as simple as that. The people are just so nice. I don’t know if it’s because everybody knows somebody or because there is fewer of us in rural places, but most people you will come across are genuinely caring and kind people. Everybody is willing to offer opportunities and that is something that makes living in a small town worthwhile.
Even though I can’t shop as much as I like and only limited people admire my taste in fashion, I suppose living in a rural town isn’t so bad after all. It has its perks, and whether those perks are family, friends, school or work, they’re all things that make our lives easier and better, right?