Growing up, I always
assumed that I'd move to a cool loft apartment in a city with a lot of
creative energy and pursue a career as a graphic artist. I was a fine art major
in college, but I never accomplished my dream of becoming an “artist”. The reality of supporting myself as a
struggling artist forced me down another path and I entered the corporate
world. As a 22-year-old retail ‘professional’
and aspiring Project Manager with boundless energy, it was the right fit, and I
couldn't have been happier. But flash
forward thirty three years and many, many, IT projects later; I realized I was
in a rut. I felt uninspired at my job, fed up with corporate life, and I
craved a change of scenery.
Still, the idea of leaving my job was terrifying. As stressful as corporate life can be, it was
also my comfort zone. While leaving my job was certainly a risk, I realized it
was a bigger liability to stay put for another year; my health was suffering
from stress and unhappiness.
After putting in plenty of thought and research, I chose to take a leap of
faith and quit my corporate job and once again return to my creative roots.
Here are some things you should know if you are also thinking about taking this
leap of faith:
1. Give the Decision Plenty of
Thought — Then Fully Embrace Your Choice
Taking any risk is
like jumping from a plane with a parachute on your back: if you think about it
too much, you'll probably end up saying "nah, not today". I'm not
saying the decision to make a huge move should be taken lightly or done
impulsively. But once you've done your research and weighed all the pros and
cons, go with your gut instinct and commit yourself to making the change
happen.
There's never a
guarantee that something is going to be as wonderful as you'd hoped, but follow
your instincts and remember that everything is reversible.
2.
Network, Network, Network
To
begin my creative career, I needed to move to a place that inspires me artistically
—we are in the process of relocating to the North Georgia Mountains. This
admittedly makes me a little nervous because, as much as I value my alone time,
I've always had a close circle of friends in the same city as me.
Being
an introvert, it’s never easy for me to engage people and make new friends. So to combat my fears I’m working on several
ways to network in our new town. Read my
five ways to meet new people in a strange town here.
3.
Embrace Your Newfound “Me” Time
A
creative and social network isn't going to fall into place immediately. One
of the best parts of moving to a brand new town is that you get to play
tourist, and there are plenty of fun activities to do by yourself. Dining, shopping,
scenic parks, and site seeing are all activities that can be enjoyed solo. Without the rigid work schedule I’ll be free
to explore the new surroundings.
4.
Get Yourself into a Routine
It's
natural to feel a little off-kilter when you first leave the daily grind of the
corporate world. You're in an unfamiliar place and are still dealing with a lot
of unknowns. As exciting as it is, it's also going to be stressful at times.
For
many people, there's comfort in building a new routine. Try to establish healthy
sleeping and eating patterns immediately, because feeling physically healthy
and energetic will make a huge difference. Have a regimen, but don't force
yourself to structure every minute of every day. Allow yourself free time to
catch your breath, watch a guilty pleasure TV show, or simply wander your new
neighborhood.
5.
Accept That There Are Some Things You'll Miss
According
to unofficial data (aka my feelings), Don't be surprised if you feel pangs of
sadness when you see Instagram posts of your friends and colleagues hanging out
at a café together or at one of your favorite happy hour spots in your former
city after work. It doesn't mean you made the wrong decision by moving; it just
means that you made some strong relationships and memories in your former life,
and that's something to be grateful for.
6.
Try Not To Have Regrets
If
you have put in all the effort and planning to make a huge life change, it's
because something wasn't working in your life. Once you've arrived in your new
home and begin reinventing yourself, embrace every opportunity and stay
positive when things get uncomfortable. Take comfort in the knowledge that you took
the initiative to give yourself a clean slate and you are creating new
opportunities for yourself. That's something to be proud of!
Cheers!
Lori
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