The biggest risk that I have taken was moving to California 5 years ago site unseen. I had never been to California, or even anywhere on the west coast, prior to the day I moved here. It was a leap of faith and one I have not regretted. It was the catalyst for so many changes in my life, not least of which was the journey to become a better, more physically and emotionally person.
Back in 2007, we were living in NY and the grind of the city was getting to us. Like most NYers we were starting to think about moving somewhere quieter (i.e. New Jersey). But one day, while on an Internet car forum, my husband connected with a recruiter for an international company. That brief conversation turned into interviews, and subsequently a job offer with a sweeeet offer to relocate us. I didn't love my job at the moment, so we decided to take the plunge and move across country. For me, it was a huge leap of faith because I was moving sight unseen.
It was a big risk because we knew of one person other than the recruiter who lived out here, and she was relatively far away from where we settled. After the nerves subsided, we realized that this risky move had a great reward - it was the opportunity to reinvent ourselves and be who we wanted to be without the confines of the preconceptions that people we knew in NY had of us. We could get interested in anything or do anything or be anyone we wanted. And it has been awesome.
It's like getting a blank slate in life and starting again. We both had jobs in areas that were familiar but not exactly what we were used to, we found different kinds of friends than we've had in the past, we both picked up new and old hobbies, and we both found some fitness and dietary changes that we fell in love with. My husband found boxing, and just excelled at it. I found Muay Thai, CrossFit, marathon training, 5k running, kettle bells and yoga (in that order) and was thrilled to expose myself to different people and different styles until I found my own path of fitness.
This move has been the riskiest thing we've done, and almost 6 years later, I can say it's one of the best things I've done.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Relocating could be risky, but it has worked out for you. I cannot wait for my husband and I to relocate. We are tired of the NY scene - and the expensive way of living. The riskiest thing I've done so far was publish my first book based on true events. I wasn't sure if the book was going to be well received or not. Risks are scary, but are worth it - for the most part.
ReplyDeleteMayra, it has been the best risk I have ever taken. Where are you looking to relocate??
DeleteAlso, can you send me the link to your book so I can finally purchase it?
I love this post and oh, how I wish I had the guts to do it before this time in my life. I still have a dream that needs some semblance of something attached... I don't want to move when any of my children is in high school.
ReplyDeleteI am in Bakersfield (You may have driven through in your six years here) and the East Coast has been calling my name for years - especially since my daughter started college there and is now looking at grad school in Princeton. Crazy life, I tell you.
Wonderfully crazy life.
Glad to be visiting from NaBloPoMo today!
Hi Julie, I understand that you dont want to move while your kids are still in school, and admire that, but start making plans now for when you can! you only have one life and should try living somewhere different once in your life. You may hate it or love it, but you won't know until you try!
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