Do you know what’s hard? Being a new mom. Do you know what’s even harder? Being a new mom in a new town where you don’t know a single soul.
That is the situation I found myself in last year. My husband’s job relocated our family to Duluth in June of 2018 from Alaska and we are originally from Texas. Needless to say we were out of our element here! As my husband headed to work day after day, I found myself looking at my beautiful 5-month-old daughter and feeling lonelier and lonelier. I was left with two options: sit in my house with my baby and wallow in self-pity while over-indulging in chocolate OR putting on my best social butterfly face, finding a way to explore my new hometown, and hope another mom is looking for conversation just as much as I was.
Using My Resources
I took to every platform I could think of to make new friends. I went to playgroups, joined classes, and even asked random people in Facebook groups if they wanted to get together. It isn’t easy to make yourself vulnerable and put yourself out there to a group of strangers. In my quest to find friends I had a meltdown in front of a group of strangers, complete with ugly crying, then at another outing I overheard a group of moms gossiping about me after they thought I had left. Both of those situations–and many others–were completely deflating, but I refused to let anyone get in my way of finding new friends. I refused to be the person who rejected my new home because of my own insecurities. And I refused to let myself or anyone else negatively impact my happiness!
Finding My Stride
Through trial and error, I eventually found my niche. My husband’s job introduced me to some amazing women, I made connections with mamas of kiddos close to my daughter’s age through Facebook, and I joined Fit4mom Twin Ports which introduced me to a group of women who shared my love for fitness. Each platform introduced me to a different group of mamas and like-minded women and they, in turn, helped me find my place here in Duluth.
Take the Leap!
If you are ever finding yourself moving to a new place where you don’t know anyone, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there to make new friends. Some people may think you’re a little odd (like the women probably thought after I cried having only met them 30 minutes beforehand!) or you may not click with everyone you meet. But you may also meet a lifelong friend, you may meet the mama of your child’s future best friend, or you may meet someone who opens your eyes to a whole new life-changing experience. You owe it to yourself to be happy and we all need people to lean on to achieve that. Also, if you are out in public and see a mama by herself longing for conversation, go talk to her! You never know whose day you are changing by simply saying “hi”!
As a Texan, turned Alaskan, turned Minnesotan, Samantha Krause is enjoying her temporary homestead in Duluth alongside her husband, Matt, and her one and a half year old daughter, Harper. Samantha holds her Master of Education degree in Special Education but is currently taking a break from teaching to raise Harper. In her free time you can find Samantha outside running, hiking, or enjoying the community events around town.
