There’s a moment in every creator’s journey when the question echoes: “Should I stay here, or go?” In Episode 159 – “To Stay or Go” of The Write Mind Podcast, hosts reflect on exactly that: what happens when an artist or creative leaves their hometown in search of new opportunities—and the wins and losses that come with that decision.
At its core, the episode reminds us that staying rooted and venturing outward are both full of value—and both full of cost. On one side: the familiar streets, the hometown friends, the built-in identity. On the other: the uncertain new city, the fresh possibilities, the risk of outgrowing what was once comfortable.
The wins of going.
Leaving your comfort zone can open doors. Suddenly you're introduced to new networks, fresh inspirations, a wider audience. When you cross geographic boundaries, you may find the mindset shifts: what once seemed “normal” becomes new, and you’re prompted to grow. The podcast suggests that for many creatives, growth demands movement—physical or psychological. Taking that leap invites challenges, yes—but it also invites breakthroughs.
The losses of leaving.
Yet, the decision isn’t all upside. Departing means leaving behind the known support system: the mentor who understood your hometown story, the community that believed in you before you had a portfolio, the sense of place that shaped your voice. It can mean identity dissonance: you’re neither fully where you were nor fully where you’re going. And sometimes you arrive in a new place only to realize that “new opportunities” come with new pressures, comparisons, and loneliness.
The value of staying.
Staying rooted offers strength too. Your origin grounds you; your hometown becomes a lens through which you interpret the world. Creativity is often deeply tied to memory, place, and identity. Staying doesn’t mean stagnation—it can mean deepening. What if the next level of growth is not about changing zip code but changing perspective within your existing landscape?
The cost of staying.
But even staying has its shadows. If you stay solely because it’s comfortable, you risk complacency. You might watch others move while you remain static—wondering “what-if.” There’s a danger of thinking, “if I just waited a little longer, if I just stayed until I felt ready,” only to find that the moment passed.
So how do we decide?
The episode encourages creatives to ask themselves: What do I hope to gain, and what am I willing to leave behind? Because growth always demands both addition and subtraction. A move may bring new friendships, exposure, financial growth—but you’ll trade familiarity, legacy, and perhaps the innocence of your origin. Staying may preserve comfort and identity—but might sacrifice novel growth, broader impact, and risk-tolerance.
A balanced approach.
Ultimately, “to stay or go” isn’t binary. You might stay physically but go mentally. You might go, find what you need, and bring it back home. You might find that the move you needed wasn’t a change of location but a change of mindset.
If you’re a creative reading this: wherever you are—make the choice intentional. Define what “home” means. Define what “opportunity” looks like. And realize that whichever path you pick, what matters most is not how far you go, but why you go—and who you become because of it.