We only have one life- live it right
A few weeks ago I heard some bad news about a family friend who was diagnosed with a life threatening cancer. She is only 25. When I heard the news I was standing in Anthropologie about to try on some dresses that I didn’t need and just sat down in one of their set-up, too cool for real life, living room displays. I was frozen. Even though I haven’t seen her in a long time, it still hit me very hard. She is younger than me with her entire life laying out before her.
I just kept thinking about how precious life really is, and not to sound too preachy or like The Secret, but I kept thinking about how we really shouldn’t waste time doing things that don’t make us extremely happy.
Last week I gave my two weeks notice at my “day job” (which I actually worked at night). The job was fine and had been an easy job that allowed me to make good money and take off time for travel. The problem was that I wasn’t passionate about it and even though it had some perks, I felt numb doing it. I am a good employee and care about my performance even if I don’t love what I’m doing. However, this is a double edge sword when my work and commitment wasn’t valued or appreciated. I found myself constantly worrying about this job that wasn’t a “take your work home with you” type of job. It was becoming too stressful for not enough rewards.
I felt silly that at 29 I was wistfully thinking about my dreams and how maybe I was too old to have new ones.
I have been writing and doing some freelance social media work and while the money and opportunities have come up, I was still sitting back secure under my other job saying, “one day”. I was scare to quit my day job and pursue my happy calling. Well, thanks to the love and support from my family and eager pushing of my friends, today is my day.
I am so grateful for my travel experiences. Each one completely different and valuable, and each one adding to the core of who I am. Traveling has made me a better person- period.
“Live a life that makes you proud – one that matters and makes a difference.” – my mantra today
If you are stuck in a rut or contemplating a change- consider taking a trip, whether long or short, to refuel and recharge. Sometimes removing yourself from a situation to a place that is new allows you to view yourself in a new way.
So, why am I telling you this on a travel blog? Well, I get emails from readers and hear on Twitter or through my friends IRL about how they want to travel more but can’t find the time/ don’t have the money/ are scare/ are planning a big trip in 2 years/ 5 years… etc. and they wonder how we do it. Honestly, we do it because we love it. It makes us extremely happy. We put aside money just for travel. We invest countless hours into researching a destination if it is above our budget and finds ways to do it for cheaper. We plan mini-vacations around the city or the state in order to fill our wanderlust. We make it a priority. Even if you only have two weeks vacation a year, you too can travel and find your travel happiness.
At the end of the day I just keep going back to the same idea: We only have one life and I plan on living it right.
Lovely post. Much truth.
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Couldn’t agree more. Some great points here and something that I can really relate to. I’ve really hit my stride with work lately and am working on more on-going projects than ever, but I’m putting that all aside this summer for several weeks to travel around Europe for no other reason then I want to. Sure, maybe I could do it when I retire, but I’m not even guaranteed tomorrow and I’m not going to sit around to find out if I have the resources and health to do it then. Good for you for making the leap. It’s scary, mysterious, and uncertain, but I just don’t believe that many people lie on their deathbed and lament about how they wish they would’ve worked more and played less.
Great post! I could not agree more. 2 yrs ago i was in a massvie rut. I was making good money and hating work and mostly I was lonely as hell. I took a huge leap of faith and sold my car/house/phrmacy and all that stuff and hit the road. Despite being as scared as a goldfish in a blender I kept traveling and still am. On the road I have met so many people who like doing the same things as I do. No my main choice is whether to climb in NZ or Khasitikstan this september and where to next…. When I left my mother of all people said “Do the things you love doing and you will meet people who do the same” Sounds simple, but it’s true. Oh, I also met ‘The girl’. Keep up the great posts guys, Sincerely, Ben
Beuatiful post…but I would add that people should take this advice not only about travelling, but about changing their lives if they’re not happy. When I was living in Switzerland I was travelling all the time – that wasn’t the problem – but I was so unhappy, and I knew that if I stayed I’d only be settling. So I took the leap and moved to Australia. After a few weeks searching, I still haven’t gotten any interviews, but I’m the happiest I’ve been in quite a while!
May all your dreams come true, and a big congratulations on your engagement.
Jade I am so sorry to hear about your friend, it must be so difficult. I was 32 when I finally had the courage to travel. I looked at my life which others deemed successful and wondered “is this it? all it’s ever going to be” I took off for 18 months and even though I am back, things are much different. I’m finally happy where I am.
I am so sorry to hear about your friend, Jade. I was 31 when I left my job to find myself lol. There’s no right age!
So sorry to hear about your friend Jade, hope she’ll be OK. I’m sure you’re decision will make her proud. Congrats on the brave and exciting move, that takes a lot of courage.
I had a couple of friends diagnosed with cancer at a young age, and it is certainly a shock. I hope your friend has a full recovery.
I was also 29 when I took off to travel for a year (and still going). Great inspiration here to live the life you want to live…. at any age!
So sorry to hear about your friend. Cancer sucks, especially when it happens to someone so young. However, this seems to have given you a little more inspiration and motivation to live your life the way you want to live. Fortunately, I had the chance to take a lot of trips when I was younger so I did get to see a lot of places. I’ve slowed down a bit these days but I still travel. I always will. For me, it’s not about how far you go but the attitude you have. You can travel close to home and have some great experiences if you have an open mind.
So I would encourage people to get out there and travel. You don’t have to start big or go far for an adventure. You can even start in your own backyard. Travel really is an attitude. You just have to go and look for it. I definitely relate to your feelings about work. But don’t let a job or a career ever stop you from enjoying a little travel in your life.
Great post – life really is short and you never know how much of it is left. Its always worth pushing your boundaries but you can take it to far if you are always serious and you measure things just by checking them off.
I just wrote a similar post and have not quite quit my job yet, but cut down to 2 days a week to focus more on what makes me happy. I had the same feeling as you. I kept telling myself, “One day.” And finally I decided to stop waiting for the perfect timing. Bringing in an assistant at my day job will give me much more freedom and make it extremely easy for when I quit completely. I’m going to see how 2 days a week works out, but I have a feeling I’ll be giving my notice very soon. Will you guys be staying in LA?
Never too old to dream! Agree completely. I’m about to turn 29 in a couple of weeks and it feels like such a weird age, but the fact is we still have so much life to live… so why not live it well. Go for your dreams, Jade! If you love it, you will do great
I’m sorry to hear about your friend. Cancer sucks at any age, but especially for someone so young. As someone who has lost a mother, a grandmother, two aunts, and has an 85% chance of getting cancer myself, I can really relate to your post. Living a genuine life to its fullest often is often a side effect to death hitting close to home. All you can do is take something bad and turn it into something good. That’s why my diagnosis and my mother’s subsequent death did to me. Now I tend to live and travel with a sense of urgency. Hell, I even started my blog as a result of my mother’s passing. In her death she taught me how to live. It’s just a shame that’s the way it had to happen. My mantra is, “Life’s too short to live with a ‘someday’ attitude.” http://leahtravels.com/site/people/why-i-travel-a-dedication#more-302
My thoughts are with you and your friend.