Is it just me or does it seem like everyone on the internet is turning into some kind of digital nomad?
I always saw myself as an entrepreneur, but I never thought I’d be one of *those* people, ya know? Just making it seem like you can up and leave work to travel or “live your best life” just to keep up with the Joneses.
And yet when I got it in my head that I wanted to do something different with my life, I just couldn’t turn back.
I was in the most toxic relationship of my life with none other than: my job.
Long hours, crazy days, high stress, high demand. I couldn’t tell if I was living to work or working to live. I called myself being “dependable” but had well overstepped the line of self-compromise. I worked so hard that I spent my off days recuperating, just so I could be ready to go back to work and start the cycle again. Mental, physical, and even emotional drainage got the best of me, and I stopped keeping my promises to myself to invest in my business or in bettering my personal life. No matter how many times I considered quitting, I fell back on the stability of it all. Where will I go if I leave? What if it’s even worse there? What will people think of me if I give up? Where can I find opportunity? Besides, everything I really wanted to do required me to use the money I was making, but the more time I spent making money that way the less energy I had to do the things I wanted to do! (Major mindf*ck, right?!) #OverthinkersUnite.
But that was my mistake. The longer I sat around and waited to find opportunity, the further I delayed my chance to create it.
Two years into a global pandemic, I felt stuck living the same day over and over again and getting disappointed buying into the tease of a return to normalcy.
So I thought:
I could get serious about my business! …but I’ve been saying that since 2020 and she’s still just a sidechick to my main gig. Haven’t made a single dollar or seen anything through.
I could go to grad school! …but the whole point is to learn on campus and I’m certainly not going to pay $THOUSANDS$ to go digital the next time Deltacron has a field day.
I could find a job in the field I actually want! …but I’d have to move back to LA and who knows how I’m going to afford that.
Valid concerns, sure. But if I’m being honest with myself, I was just trying to come up with excuses to stay in my comfort zone.
Everything compounded itself into that one 'f*ck it' moment that changed everything about my life.
I’d always loved Spanish language, and I decided to get serious about learning it. An hour or two searching the web led me to an adult study abroad program, which forreal, who even knew existed?! It was the perfect fit. Having lessons for 20-30 hours a week meant I’d have no reason not to focus on fleshing out my business. I’d be meeting new people, trying new things, and developing a new skill. Weekends off would allow me to explore and take time for myself. And, GIRL! Think of the content! No-brainer, baby!
Now, the price tag was HEFTY. Not only would I have to pay tuition and travel fees, but I’d need spending money, clothing, supplies, and enough left over to cover my bills at home. I knew I’d have to risk a lot, but I was committed to following that impulse - and I do have to acknowledge that I’ve been privileged to have the means to do so. I called around trying to get the loan I needed (over $30,000) and finally got the funds to set everything in motion after a tumultuous process of denials and delays.
Two weeks later, I landed in Guanacaste, Costa Rica!
Everything happened so quickly, I barely had time to process it. And let’s be real, I still worry sometimes about my choices. About how I can rationalize adding another financial burden to my plate or what might happen with my family back at home or what might come next in a world ruled by Aunt Rona…
But there is no plan B! I’m committed to making the most of my experience, and I’m doing a damn good job so far. And for the record: I don’t miss being stuck at home not one bit!
Now if you’re thinking about whether or not a move like this is right for you, take these things into account:
How is my current environment enhancing or taking away from my quality of life?
What are my goals? Can I get closer to them by making small adjustments, or do I need to consider bigger changes?
What are my priorities and responsibilities? Will they suffer or thrive?
What are my means? What am I willing to sacrifice?
As important as it is to calculate against it, it’s even more important to take the risk. The time is NOW to take back control over your path, or else you’ll still be sitting exactly where you are 1, 5, even 10 years from now wishing you’d done things differently...
Trust me, we got this!
#̶W̶i̶s̶h̶Y̶o̶u̶W̶e̶r̶e̶H̶e̶r̶e̶ #SeeYouSoon!