Small town, big lesson

Blog 1- Lauren Daggett

Growing up in a small town of 1284 or 1377 people (depending on which way you drive into town), I think it is safe to say I was not exposed to much culture. My life was boxed in boundary work of religion, politics, and culture. Either you were Lutheran or Catholic, Democratic or Republican, and White, or not White. High school made those boundaries even smaller. Your last name, brand of clothing, and way of transportation all defined the person you were, which led to the fear of imperfection (Pinker describes as irrational). Constantly worrying about how others viewed me, and living with mindset of seeking perfection was a heavy load to carry. These tight boundaries gave me the need to jump the fence and move to the “big city”, with the idea that life would take a 180. To my surprise, that was not the case, and to my surprise I am happy with that. My small town, along with my upbringing, created the person I am today, and no matter my surroundings, my personality is the same, which is perfect for me. My setting was not what needed to be changed, but rather my mindset.