Image borrowed with love from the fabulous Bits of Truth Have you made a bold move in your life? A monumental leap where you were so scared you felt like you were going to just burst apart? You have? Then I really and truly (almost desperately) need to hear from you.
I need a change in my life. A huge one. Like the biggest one I could ever make. I have felt something inside me for a while now that DC is not the place I am meant to be. I don't know exactly where it is that I am supposed to be (although my Chicago peeps are swaying me pretty hard core at the moment) but it is growing more and more apparent to me that it is not here. I have tried (very, very hard) to make here be the place I should be. It was a good effort, but I can't force it. I just don't think it is meant to be.
And I want so much to move on..but I honestly don't know how I do that. Does that sound so ridiculous? I am too scared to just quit my job. On top of the fact that I do not have a secret trust fund or a money tree growing at home to finance such a choice.
So for those of you that have done something monumental in your life -- made a huge change or a bold move -- can you please share your thoughts, insights, and words of wisdom with me now? Because I need them. I have never felt so ready, so very much IN NEED of changing the direction of my life as I feel now. And I don't want this to pass me by. I don't want to find myself waiting for something that I know isn't coming to find me where I am right now.
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COME HOME. philly is a great place for a new start! plus, we're going to have the winningest team in baseball this year. i'm SURE you want to be here for a part of that!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree, come back to Philly. In fact that was my monumental change. I was hating NYC and knew I needed a change. I quit my job, packed my bags, borrowed some money from my mom for the security deposit on a great little apartment just blocks from Rittenhouse Square, and made the move. Best thing I ever did, 7 years ago. The only thing I can't advise you on is the state of jobs in this economy.
ReplyDeleteI up and moved to Reno right out of college. I knew no one! Big, bold move...far from home too.
ReplyDeleteAnd..
I did it 9years ago. After 9/11 I made the decision to leave the West coast and move closer to home.
To decide where I would go I did a lot of soul searching then I literally knocked on doors to find a job here in Charlotte. Best decision ever!
Check out this post.
http://deewallaceadventures.blogspot.com/2010/05/oh-charlotte-what-great-8-years.html
Thanks, ladies. I know good ol' Philly is just a few hours north of me...but somehow I don't think that is where I am supposed to be either (otherwise I would have found my way back there by now I hope!)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dee -- always encouraging to know what others have done
ReplyDeleteI went to grad school in NYC and then .. in need of somewhere other than the east coast, I hopped out to San Diego for 2 years. I didn't plan on coming back so soon, but it wasn't until I was out there and got some perspective on my life that I just KNEW I needed to be in Philadelphia (no, seriously. forever.. Philly I'm yours).. I'm not saying Philly's necessarily right for you.. just suggesting you take a leap of faith and some risks...just up and go and see what happens, you'll be better off for it!
ReplyDeleteI told MCW something similar recently...
ReplyDeleteI found myself in the same spot. I was terrified to move, but I did. And although it (DC) didn't end up being my forever home...I will NEVER regret making that move. I came back to Smalltown, VA for so many reasons. I wanted to buy a house. With a yard. And to have a pup. I missed my friends here. And so on...
But...one of my girlfriends from DC moved to London. And she's stil not back :-o
Either way, you won't regret it. You can always move back. I say...if the "wander lust" is making you antsy, it means it's time for change. Even if it's just for a year or two!
I almost made a big move. I was slated to move to Wilmington, NC the summer after college. I had gone down a few times, found roommates and decided to work at a restaurant until I got a job I went to school for. I ended up getting sucked back in to live with one of my good friends. Part of me regrets it, because I don't think I'll ever make a big move like that. The other part doesn't because I have found so many great things here. But as the others have said, just take a leap and do it. Things happen for a reason and work themselves out, so you just gotta take the plunge. Maybe wait a while and build up a "I'm moving on" fund, but I think you can do it. And go somewhere cool so I can visit.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, exciting! Do it! I've moved a few times (most notably to California--I'm from Georgia), and although every new place requires some transition time, it's totally worth the risk. However, I hear you on the money thing. I often think that if and when I want to move, I don't know how I will afford it. :| But you will figure something out.
ReplyDeleteWow! Tough decisions...however, you are making the first step by admitting to yourself that change is desperately needed. I can't say I have ever made a big change in my life....for Pete sake I married my high school sweetheart and stayed in good old DELCO. The biggest change (besides kids) is currently happening now....we are putting our house on the market and most likely I will have to cut the umbilical cord to my Mommy because, gasp, we are looking to move to West Chester or Collegeville. Both towns that are more than a 10 minute ride from anything I know.
ReplyDeleteHowever, my best friend ever had a nice job, her own apartment and up and moved to Hawaii 6 years ago. She is still there, but she absolutely loves her life. She met her "Hawaii" family, met her husband and just had a baby....things she was beginning to think would never happen if she stayed in PA.
If I have learned anything in life, you need to trust your gut. If Chicago interests you, then start looking into the job market and housing market there. It never hurts to look. It is an easy flight home to Philly and it's an amazing city. You will find your "home" and the place you are meant to be. Just be patient and give it some time.
Good luck! I will be praying that a decision comes easy for you :)
p.s. Sorry my grammar is off...I am typing with a kid on my lap and the other screaming at me that she needs a snack :)
ReplyDeleteI completely understand your feelings. The only reason I lived in Sacramento was my job. And my job was something I never really wanted as my career. I'm not a city person. But I had not idea what to do to get myself OUT. I am in the middle of moving to the middle of nowhere to help my grandparents on their ranch. Is that my calling? Better than being miserable in the city in a job I don't like. Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith. Is my move right for me? I have no idea. But it's better than where I'm at in my book. Follow your heart. And your gut. As my parents have told me, I'm young enough I can take that risk. So are you. :o)
ReplyDeleteHi Deviled Megs :) I often read your blog but I don't think I've ever commented before. But I feel compelled to comment now. Go with your gut. Take a leap of faith. There is no real reward without risk. Sorry to bombard you with cheesy sayings, but I believe it's better to try and see what happens than to wonder "what if...?" And as my dad would say, "If you're on a bus, and you don't like where it's going, get off the bus."
ReplyDeleteI picked up and moved to Atlanta several years ago (about a year and a half before I met you) for a fresh start. Things didn't work out so well for me down there, but having given it a shot, once I moved back a year later I was much better for it.
ReplyDeleteThat is a hard place to be. I up and moved to Memphis without a job and hoped I would find something before my savings ran out. Sometimes it is worth the jump.
ReplyDelete