Cate Toole: Moving To Nashville Blog: ‘Small Fish, Big Pond’

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I am sure at some point in your life you have heard the ‘big fish, small pond’ analogy, “would you rather be a big fish in a small pond, or a little fish in a big pond?”. When thinking about this we wonder what is more important to us: would you rather stand out to a small group of people, or blend in to a larger majority? Personally, I always longed for the big pond.

Being a musician or an artist of any kind seemed rare in the town I am from. Growing up in an average-sized town in Massachusetts, where 90% of every graduating class went undeclared to universities and high school sporting events seemed to be the only thing anyone could bond over, I always dreamed of moving away to a place where art was king. A little over a year ago, I followed my dreams and moved to Nashville Tennessee and I must say I am a much smaller fish here than I ever could have imagined. In this city, which 100 people per day move to, it is crazy to think I have not once encountered someone who is not involved in the music/art/pop-culture scene. I feel as though I dove into a city of people just like me. Dreamers, entrepreneurs, and overall artists. It is not easy going from a place where demand is high and supply is low, to a place where the supply is endless and you are considered lucky if you should find yourself in demand.  Sometimes it’s disappointing to feel as though you went from standing out, to blending in and sure, it can be intimidating at times when Brett Eldredge or Taylor Swift live down the street from you, or your new friends are getting song cuts and pub-deals. However, while it is scary, it is far more motivating and captivating being a part of this culture.

In conclusion, if you’re feeling as though your pond is a little too small for you, or you’ve dreamed of tasting the bigger waters, I encourage you to take the plunge. As for me, I don’t intend to be a small fish for too long. I know every step in my journey has helped get me here. I know I am prepared to be in this pond and will continue to grow and flourish as time goes on. Because I believe that jumping into a bigger pond doesn’t necessarily mean you’re destined to be a small fish.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]