"Somehow I felt highly opposed to the leave of absence because having a backup plan left room for failure. I was so set on getting the hell out of dodge that no forethought or backup plans entered my mind.
Even though I’d been working up to this move for years nothing could prepare me for the day I resigned from. It was almost a split-second decision. The feeling of unbridled freedom and sheer panic overwhelmed me the moment I hit the “send” button on my resignation email.
I couldn’t even hit the send button myself; I made my co-worker do it.
And then it was done. Two weeks’ notice."
I have gone back and forth for a while, as soon as I pushed send (you'll like this) I had a massive BM— I mean huge like I finally digested a shitload of resistance.
In my post today I had written (at least for now) then I deleted it.
That was the set up for failure right there.
I deleted it.
I'm going wild.
I TESTED POSITIVE FOR FREEDOM DREAM JOB—WRITING
Traveling is glamorous until it is not.
I enjoyed the part about your son and dog—not a simple task.
Thank you for this excellent post.
There is more to say but I will ad it to my upcoming post.
Is change a good thing or a bad thing? The certainty is that change is inevitable. How we choose to handle it makes it good or bad and those decisions are often the result of Life Chance or Life Choice.
You chose to do what makes you happy - and you were ready.
It's hard to leave the familiar, but harder perhaps to only dream of what might have been.
Delight in having made the right decision and leave the guilt behind!
2 years ago, did something similar (though not as dramatic as leaving the country), but still 1,200 miles from any sort of familiar anchor of family, self, and purpose.
Prior to that, I had opted to close my "dream" business after a decade and holy moly, the guilt over not loving it anymore when I had lived out so many people's dream was, very, very intense. The need for permission and validation you touch on is so real.
The praise of "bravery" from others is nice and a bit of a glimmer in shaky periods (which, there are A LOT of), but its very lonely at times when you are on a path of rediscovery and reinvention of self.
But the immense freedom that comes from burning it all down and being cleansed by the flame is pretty cathartic when we allow it to be.
Mare, your feedback here is incredible. I feel like you captured it almost better than I did. I agree 100%!!!
And on the other end of this dream I pursued, ten years later I chose to burn it down again when I felt I was finished. It took me 3 years after retiring my Jamaica travel blog to get the guts to sell it and start yet another new chapter.
That's the beauty in being alive though...we GET TO change gears whenever we feel like it's right. That doesn't make it any easier but it sure allows us permission.
Thank you so much for your awesome comments and I wish you all the best in whatever journey you're on now!
Wow, Kristi. Feeling so relieved and <sigh> simply elated that stumbled upon this... I've just done something similar, leaving a job of 10+years and moving to parts unknown, leaving behind a daughter who isn't quite ready to take this leap with me (23yrs old) 😔. So much excitement, but daunting amount of fear hits all at once. I did solo grief travel before making the decision to sell all my things and pack up the car one last time to make a trip that wasn't just another "solo road trip". I drove across the country to the desert with no set plan, except I knew it was better than where I'd been...
A few days into this next chapter and I'm not sure what will happen, but I'm confident the road less traveled is paved with great happiness and new beginnings ✨✨✨✨❤️🧡
After reading your comments, I'm also glad you stumbled here. I know I wish I'd have read something similar before embarking on my journey...just to feel a bit of validation.
I know you've got this Lyn, even if it feels weird and foreign! Also, you're in your own country still so at least you're still on "somewhat" familiar ground.
PS: I don't know who or why you're grieving but I understand the need to just get away and deal. I actually lost my son a few years ago and including him in the present tense in this post felt weird. Travel can help heal many wounds, I hope your travel is helping your heart 💗💗
Wow this brought back so many memories! I left Calgary in March, 1997 and remember how cold and scary and exciting it was all at the same time! I was moving to Boston, somewhere I’d never been before, but thought it looked beautiful on tv! It took me months to find an apartment, and I was only there on weekends with projects on the east coast, but wow that experience is something I would not trade for anything! It helped me build the confidence to make moves of some sort (that most people considered crazy) in each decade since.
Calgary!! Helloooo! Have you ever come back to visit?
It's crazy to look back on big moves and remember all the balls it took to execute, right?
And you're right, Boston is a beautiful city. I've only come there once for a quick few days but I loved it. Friggin loved my taxi driver's accent too 😁😁
Yes every move is an experience! Boston is very special. I’ve since moved a few more times back in Canada 🇨🇦. My brother is in Calgary so still visit 😊
That photo of Mojo beside the two bags says, "I can fit in one of those, you know?" I love reading about career jumps (and the safe, successful landings from them!). Do you read CB (Canadian Business)? This month there was a feature on Leila Keshavjee. She had been accepted into U of Toronto's kinesiology master's program and was living on smoothies and sweat. She randomly decided to make some ice pops. She trialed them on friends and then took a stab at the local farmers' market and now her Happy Pops (Lychee Lemonade! Matcha! Orange n' Cream) are sold in 1,500 grocery stores across Canada. And Canada's Wonderland. And Ripley's Aquarium!
I'm a firm believer in quitting. It's taken me to some great places, too, like Uganda and the Congo.
Wow, that's an amazing story about the ice pops! I always wonder what goes on "between the lines" of these seemingly spontaneous success stories lol. I might look that up and read it.
I receive CB with my Toronto Life subscription---it's solid gold. The Spring issue also has a fun story about sisters who took over the generational lavender farm and a Toronto law firm that redesigned their space to include self-serve cafe lounges (Balzac's), pumping + breastfeeding rooms (YYZ airport has a mobile station too!), meditation/religious observance space AND a Peloton room. That inclusion alone! Think of the savings!
Thank you! It’s good to know that I am not the only one who has done it. I just quit my job recently, too. It isn’t easy starting over and doing it for me this time. I’m scared as hell but I also feel free and my self again.
Thanks for sharing this important part of your history Kristi. This is the hero's journey in action, the fear living alongside the excitement which equals a fully lived life with few regrets.
I left Calgary to go to school in California. I knew a couple of people there but we were not yet very close, I had no car, nowhere to live and had no idea what I was doing...so I get how you felt.
I was pushed out of the nest by my mother in my 17th summer to work in a state 700 miles away. Rather apprehensive about leaving so soon after graduating from high school, Mom told me to think of it as an "adventure." Well, it was always her way of approaching life and I have always looked at many course changes in life the same way....a new adventure! She was right and life is an adventure indeed! Enjoyed reading Kristi and best of luck Alexa!
Kristi I'm so glad you wrote about this topic. I've got a post in the works about a very similar topic, maybe I'll finish it now :) I think it is important to talk about the scary parts too - otherwise it is too easy for people to think something must be wrong with them when not every part of them is singing and dancing at such a huge change. You got this Alexa!
You're exactly right Rose! When I see people on Facebook making huge life changes I always assume it's easy and happy. But maybe underneath, they're just as terrified as anyone else!
Hey Kristi,
This is gospel:
"Somehow I felt highly opposed to the leave of absence because having a backup plan left room for failure. I was so set on getting the hell out of dodge that no forethought or backup plans entered my mind.
Even though I’d been working up to this move for years nothing could prepare me for the day I resigned from. It was almost a split-second decision. The feeling of unbridled freedom and sheer panic overwhelmed me the moment I hit the “send” button on my resignation email.
I couldn’t even hit the send button myself; I made my co-worker do it.
And then it was done. Two weeks’ notice."
I have gone back and forth for a while, as soon as I pushed send (you'll like this) I had a massive BM— I mean huge like I finally digested a shitload of resistance.
In my post today I had written (at least for now) then I deleted it.
That was the set up for failure right there.
I deleted it.
I'm going wild.
I TESTED POSITIVE FOR FREEDOM DREAM JOB—WRITING
Traveling is glamorous until it is not.
I enjoyed the part about your son and dog—not a simple task.
Thank you for this excellent post.
There is more to say but I will ad it to my upcoming post.
Prajna, I believe SO many of us can relate to that one monumental moment.
Do NOT delete it next time!! Instead, tag me because I can't wait to read it!
Guts grammerly and myself always miss a word
Sounds like you all have a lot of guys may the Force be with you 😂🤗❤️
Scary right just throw fear out the window look at in the eye and say I got you beat❤️❤️❤️
Hi Kristi!
Is change a good thing or a bad thing? The certainty is that change is inevitable. How we choose to handle it makes it good or bad and those decisions are often the result of Life Chance or Life Choice.
You chose to do what makes you happy - and you were ready.
It's hard to leave the familiar, but harder perhaps to only dream of what might have been.
Delight in having made the right decision and leave the guilt behind!
Thanks for the confidence boost, John! 😊
So deeply grateful for these chapters, and in awe of your courage, Kristi. Thank you again for this ❤️❤️
You're so welcome. Thanks for the inspiration!
Ooof, I felt this in the most personal way.
2 years ago, did something similar (though not as dramatic as leaving the country), but still 1,200 miles from any sort of familiar anchor of family, self, and purpose.
Prior to that, I had opted to close my "dream" business after a decade and holy moly, the guilt over not loving it anymore when I had lived out so many people's dream was, very, very intense. The need for permission and validation you touch on is so real.
The praise of "bravery" from others is nice and a bit of a glimmer in shaky periods (which, there are A LOT of), but its very lonely at times when you are on a path of rediscovery and reinvention of self.
But the immense freedom that comes from burning it all down and being cleansed by the flame is pretty cathartic when we allow it to be.
Thank you for sharing!!
Mare, your feedback here is incredible. I feel like you captured it almost better than I did. I agree 100%!!!
And on the other end of this dream I pursued, ten years later I chose to burn it down again when I felt I was finished. It took me 3 years after retiring my Jamaica travel blog to get the guts to sell it and start yet another new chapter.
That's the beauty in being alive though...we GET TO change gears whenever we feel like it's right. That doesn't make it any easier but it sure allows us permission.
Thank you so much for your awesome comments and I wish you all the best in whatever journey you're on now!
Wow, Kristi. Feeling so relieved and <sigh> simply elated that stumbled upon this... I've just done something similar, leaving a job of 10+years and moving to parts unknown, leaving behind a daughter who isn't quite ready to take this leap with me (23yrs old) 😔. So much excitement, but daunting amount of fear hits all at once. I did solo grief travel before making the decision to sell all my things and pack up the car one last time to make a trip that wasn't just another "solo road trip". I drove across the country to the desert with no set plan, except I knew it was better than where I'd been...
A few days into this next chapter and I'm not sure what will happen, but I'm confident the road less traveled is paved with great happiness and new beginnings ✨✨✨✨❤️🧡
After reading your comments, I'm also glad you stumbled here. I know I wish I'd have read something similar before embarking on my journey...just to feel a bit of validation.
I know you've got this Lyn, even if it feels weird and foreign! Also, you're in your own country still so at least you're still on "somewhat" familiar ground.
PS: I don't know who or why you're grieving but I understand the need to just get away and deal. I actually lost my son a few years ago and including him in the present tense in this post felt weird. Travel can help heal many wounds, I hope your travel is helping your heart 💗💗
Wow this brought back so many memories! I left Calgary in March, 1997 and remember how cold and scary and exciting it was all at the same time! I was moving to Boston, somewhere I’d never been before, but thought it looked beautiful on tv! It took me months to find an apartment, and I was only there on weekends with projects on the east coast, but wow that experience is something I would not trade for anything! It helped me build the confidence to make moves of some sort (that most people considered crazy) in each decade since.
Thank you for sharing this! ❤️
Calgary!! Helloooo! Have you ever come back to visit?
It's crazy to look back on big moves and remember all the balls it took to execute, right?
And you're right, Boston is a beautiful city. I've only come there once for a quick few days but I loved it. Friggin loved my taxi driver's accent too 😁😁
Yes every move is an experience! Boston is very special. I’ve since moved a few more times back in Canada 🇨🇦. My brother is in Calgary so still visit 😊
That photo of Mojo beside the two bags says, "I can fit in one of those, you know?" I love reading about career jumps (and the safe, successful landings from them!). Do you read CB (Canadian Business)? This month there was a feature on Leila Keshavjee. She had been accepted into U of Toronto's kinesiology master's program and was living on smoothies and sweat. She randomly decided to make some ice pops. She trialed them on friends and then took a stab at the local farmers' market and now her Happy Pops (Lychee Lemonade! Matcha! Orange n' Cream) are sold in 1,500 grocery stores across Canada. And Canada's Wonderland. And Ripley's Aquarium!
I'm a firm believer in quitting. It's taken me to some great places, too, like Uganda and the Congo.
Wow, that's an amazing story about the ice pops! I always wonder what goes on "between the lines" of these seemingly spontaneous success stories lol. I might look that up and read it.
I receive CB with my Toronto Life subscription---it's solid gold. The Spring issue also has a fun story about sisters who took over the generational lavender farm and a Toronto law firm that redesigned their space to include self-serve cafe lounges (Balzac's), pumping + breastfeeding rooms (YYZ airport has a mobile station too!), meditation/religious observance space AND a Peloton room. That inclusion alone! Think of the savings!
So interesting! I'll definitely go check it out!
Thank you! It’s good to know that I am not the only one who has done it. I just quit my job recently, too. It isn’t easy starting over and doing it for me this time. I’m scared as hell but I also feel free and my self again.
Congratulations Glenda! There will always be fear but that freedom feeling will become fuel with a cleaner mind and soul 😊
I began traveling after leaving my husband, over ten years on the road now:) best decision of my life. Congratulations on your bravery—proud of you xo
That's amazing Melissa! 👏
Thank you🥰🥰
I can relate
Thanks for sharing this important part of your history Kristi. This is the hero's journey in action, the fear living alongside the excitement which equals a fully lived life with few regrets.
I left Calgary to go to school in California. I knew a couple of people there but we were not yet very close, I had no car, nowhere to live and had no idea what I was doing...so I get how you felt.
That's a big move to a big, bustling place. That must have been scary as hell! Bravo for pulling it off 👏
I was pushed out of the nest by my mother in my 17th summer to work in a state 700 miles away. Rather apprehensive about leaving so soon after graduating from high school, Mom told me to think of it as an "adventure." Well, it was always her way of approaching life and I have always looked at many course changes in life the same way....a new adventure! She was right and life is an adventure indeed! Enjoyed reading Kristi and best of luck Alexa!
Thanks for sharing this Tom. Must have been extra scary as your first time away from home!
Kristi I'm so glad you wrote about this topic. I've got a post in the works about a very similar topic, maybe I'll finish it now :) I think it is important to talk about the scary parts too - otherwise it is too easy for people to think something must be wrong with them when not every part of them is singing and dancing at such a huge change. You got this Alexa!
You're exactly right Rose! When I see people on Facebook making huge life changes I always assume it's easy and happy. But maybe underneath, they're just as terrified as anyone else!