Senior Mikella Majchrzak has a date marked on her calendar, counting down to the day she can move away and never look back. For Majchrzak, the end of the school year represents her freedom from the barriers Illinois creates for her.
The environment a person is in has a big impact on their identity. Majchrzak agrees with this phenomenon, as she feels that Downers Grove has molded her into someone who isn’t authentically herself.
“I’ve been in Downers Grove my entire life. I’ve never left it so it’s like my entire life and personality has been shaped by this town and I think if I had the opportunity to [leave] I think I could flourish into a better version of myself,” Majchrazk said.
Majchrzak has spent the last 13 years dreaming of moving away. Majchrzak believes that being in a new location could relieve her from the confinements that Downers Grove places upon her identity.
“I feel like if I’m in an environment that’s right for me I’ll become the person I am actually meant to be or the person I have the potential of being but I’m not in that place yet,” Majchrzak said.
Social media can have a huge impact on teenagers’ lives, usually for the worse. Due to this, Majchrzak seeks to start her new life off the grid after moving away from Downers Grove.
“The first thing I would leave is honestly my phone because I kind of want to leave behind my life here and start fresh,” Majchrzak said.
Majchrzak explained a large component of what she hopes to establish by moving away is her independence.
“The drama has just gotten to me and infested all of my friend groups and friendships I’ve had in the past, so I’m just ready to start new. I just want to learn who I am on my own,” Majchrzak said.
Majchrzak has also imagined a location that would best suit her personality and help her thrive the most.
“I like the really small, charismatic little towns that are super walkable where everybody knows everybody, but then it’s just a quick trip away to a huge city,” Majchrzak said.
Whenever Majchrzak becomes antsy to leave Illinois she turns on an episode of Gilmore Girls and pictures her future in a town resembling Stars Hollow. Majchrzak cannot wait to leave this constricting life behind and venture out on her own.
