Different people bring out our different sides

I have been traveling on the east coast this week and am currently on the train to New York as I write this, which is always a good time for some thinking and introspection. 

As you may know, I am originally from the Boston area, have lots of friends & family still in the area, and lived there for a number of years after graduating from college. While I may not miss the cold (living in California has made me soft), there are many things about New England and the east coast that I do miss - obviously my friends & family, lobster rolls, the changing of the seasons, how obsessed everyone is with sports, the history, the ability to drive through 3 states in an hour, sunrises, and Boston accents, to name a few. 

However, please do not ask me which coast is my favorite. I am not here to declare a winner in the battle of east coast versus west coast - my answer would definitely change based on my mood and where I happened to be located at that particular moment.

But one thing I have noticed being out here is that it brings out a different side of my personality. I dress in more dark colors, walk a little faster, am more sarcastic, and am definitely a more impatient driver. Out west, I get to be the more laid-back, California girl (but am still a slightly impatient driver). 

And it is not just with places, being around different people highlights different aspects of our personality. Being with my east coast family and friends who have known me basically for my entire life, there is an ease and comfort there that I don’t necessarily have with everyone else in my life. And no matter how much time goes by, it is very easy to slip back into that sense of comfort. 

Additionally, there are certain friends that I am more serious with and there are other friends who bring out my sillier side. Friends who will bring out the more fun, party side and those who bring out the intellectual side. Depending on the friend, we may have a discussion about sports or wellness or fashion. 

Personally, I think this is one of my favorite reasons to travel and have a diverse set of friends. It is fun to explore the different sides of yourself and highlight all the different interests and identities that you have. 

Have you noticed this? Do you have different friends that bring out different parts of yourself or do you stay the same no matter where you are/who you are with? 

And what would you pick - east coast or west coast?