“Stepping onto a brand-new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation, which is not nurturing to the whole woman.”
I have read a lot of quotes recently about change, but none as meaningful as the one above by Maya Angelou. I love this new, scary state of transition I’m presently residing in. I can’t remember the last time I took a backseat and allowed fate to take the wheel. For the past six years, my life has been a series of predictable events, rituals, and routines: Leap out of bed because I overslept. Slip on clothing that is not out of the hamper and somewhat presentable. Gather the ‘fro underneath a cap and sprint to the Path train while buttoning my coat. Squeeze in by the doors and adjust the volume on my iPod. Grab coffee at Dunkin. Greet the men at the front desk and wait an ungodly amount of time for the elevator. Work a rather unremarkable/unmemorable 8+ hour shift. Go home. Eat dinner. Blog if I have energy. Catch up on emails. Sleep. Repeat.
Of course there were happy hours, fun events, dinners in some of the best restaurants Manhattan has to offer, and Bikram classes all mixed in, but for the most part, my life was on autopilot…something was missing.
When you have a schedule like that, you don’t always see in color or notice the things that separate Manhattan from the rest of the world. Now that my time with this great city is coming to an end, I’m learning to appreciate the little things once more and all over again. In my final weeks, I look forward to eating in all of my favorite lunch spots, making more dinner/cocktail dates, and exploring some of the hidden nooks and crannies that have been kept a secret to me all these years.
Remaining in a situation that is not nurturing is unkind to the soul. Since I accepted an offer for a new job, my lust for life has returned and the world beyond has opened up to me once more. I can make good on a promise to frequent the movies, read more books, exercise and feed the mind, educate myself on all things social media, and take on some new hobbies. And of course see the friends I’m not always able due to scheduling conflicts.
Life can be beautiful, exciting, and adventurous if we just step onto a brand-new path every now and then.
HOOOORAY! This is so exciting! And I love this refreshed and renewed breath you’re drawing. 🙂
Congratulations to you – what an exciting outlook! Your positivity is going to get you to the place you wish to go. Cheers!
So happy for you! I know this will be the change you need. Well deserved, my friend! 🙂 xoxo
Love it! Everyone needs a new re-charge and a fresh zap of energy every now and again to remind us that there is so much we haven’t seen and so much we haven’t yet done. SO SO SO excited for you! Enjoy the last few moments at your last job; knowing that something new is around the corner makes them that much more meaningful. Have a wonderful weekend! XO
My husband always say that we tend to walk in our own footsteps, rather than walking out of them. I swear he says it better than I just did. Congrats to you. Enjoy the city! I moved from San Francisco proper to the country of New England and I sure savored those last city days.
This is going to be such an awesome change for you. I’m a tiny bit jealous. But only a little because things are going pretty well for me right now.
But anyway, good luck on your last few days!
Now is the time to do it, Charlotte.
Glad you will not accept the mediocre.
I am so damn excited for you Charlotte!
It’s so wonderful you’re finding your creative life!
oh i hear you on this and i am so happy you took the leap.
congrats!
Soooo happy for you, my sweet! You deserve this and THEN some…! So much excitement and good times ahead. Squeee! (I’ll continue with the comments tomorrow, sleeeeepy!) Mwah!
As I’ve been known to say…life is rich with new beginnings.
This is impressive. The fact that you were able to leverage the skills you learned blogging into a new career is awesome.
My favorite part of this blogging journey has been watching my fellow bloggers grow.
High-five.