The Hero Seattle Deserves

Everyone in Seattle seems to be waiting for a hero. In their absence, we might become the hero Seattle deserves. While we wait for someone to save us, let us try saving ourselves. While we demand change, we might reframe the conversation and change the City of Seattle along the way.

Making a new city home is one of those things that seems glamorous on paper, but is much more challenging than you might think. It requires some discomfort. Every setback or unmet expectation has a way of becoming a thought about how much simpler life was back home. Building a new network of friends is one of those significant challenges that defines a transition.

At networking events or in small group discussions, we laugh about the “Seattle Freeze” and how hard it is to make genuine friends in this city. We keep waiting for a hero to make this transition easy. I am here to tell you your wait is over. Look in the mirror and realize you are the hero Seattle deserves. You can warmly greet newcomers. You can arrange gatherings. You can foster community around shared interests. Powerful tools to connect people are at your disposal. Use them.

It is hard to live in Seattle long without hearing about the Seattle freeze. It is a crutch and exists because we allow it to exist. If you want the Seattle freeze to end, be the friend you wish would have greeted you at the city…