One year ago I was living in LA, realized that the most important thing in life is to be happy and that I wasn’t. So, I decided it was time for a change, packed my bags and moved to New York City...all in 48 hours.
There are a lot of things that go into creating a happy life, whether it be location, how you spend your free time, or who you spend time with. What brings you joy? What is robbing you of your joy? It isn’t always an easy question to answer and sometimes we don’t like the answers that we know to be true. I was so unhappy, but I did not know why. I thought it was my job. I thought I missed my family. I thought it was the lack of movement in my career, despite my constant effort. Maybe it was my living situation? On paper I was doing everything right, but what looks good on paper doesn’t always feel right.
My best friend came home from performing on a cruise ship and was looking for apartments in LA when she realized that where she really wanted to be was in New York. Damn, I wished I could move with her. She asked me, “Why can’t you?” ...I had no response… I absolutely could, but it had never occurred to me that going after what I really wanted was 100% possible and that in fact the only thing stopping me, was me. I had all of these ideas about what was required of me before I was “allowed” to move to New York and make such a drastic change in my life. I was waiting for permission from others and the validation of a to do list (that I had made up) that realistically was a load of s***.
I packed my bags, gave my two weeks, found an apartment with my best friend, got on a plane, and moved 3,000 miles away from my comfort zone. Surprisingly enough, that was exactly the change I needed. Now, I’m not saying you have to pack up and move across the country to find happiness… but the things that I’ve learned by doing this have changed my life and perspective forever.
I have learned SO much about myself, my friends, and life as a whole. But the most important thing I have learned is that no matter what phase of life you are in, you have to find what makes YOU happy. It could be as small as rocking your power color lipstick or taking the scenic route to work. It will be different for everyone, but that’s what makes this life so beautiful.
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