Remember that time I quit my job to become a full-time freelance writer?

I do, cause it was just last week.

I even made sure to wear an outfit I’d remember (dress from SF shopping adventure, killer black heels and a turquoise and silver necklace from my former boss/close friend/mentor extraordinaire who totally taught me about believing in myself.)  I wanted the day to be special because it’s something I’ve been planning in my head for about 18 months.

That’s right, I’m not a jumper or a leaper.  Not someone who can in 6 months decide to say “forget it all” and get on a plane to become location independent for a year.  Those people are awesome but I’m just not that hip.  So for those of you who are now choking on your coffee/tea/water/frosty beverage at this bombshell I’ve dropped, please know that this was not a hasty decision.

Nor was it a decision like so many others write about.  I didn’t hate my Corporate America job.  I actually liked MANY parts of it.   I didn’t need to get out now before I went Office Space and burned down the  whole place over some misplaced percentages of pennies and a red Swingline stapler.

Sure there was stuff I didn’t like and things I loathed doing, but I don’t live in an idyllic chamber where I think consulting and freelance writing is going to be all unicorns and puppy dogs.  The grass is ALWAYS greener on the other side of the fence until you realize that is because it is being treated with toxic and creepy-crawly-yucky chemicals sprayed out of a tank with food coloring added.

Photo Credit: Getty Images – Robert Daly

I could go over the entire 18 month course of events that led to this decision, but that would be far lengthier than I intended for this post to be.  If you want the story we should meet up for drinks or email or Skype or something to chat it out.

Basically there were 3 very key factors.

The first was when I started seeing a life coach.  I bartered with her, coaching services for social media consulting (which I still do and will continue to do for awhile to come…you know…to eat more than ramen daily…)  She had recently started her own business so it was interesting to not only explore the option myself but also watch her navigate the waters.   And man, for anyone who doesn’t believe in life/business coaches and wants to make a change, I’m telling you…she kicked my ass around in a way that no friend or colleague could have possibly done.  Without Lael’s supportive challenges and passion for my happiness I probably wouldn’t be as confident and belligerently happy in this decision.  Sure, there are moments I still am overwhelmed by it’s reality and implications and kind of want to puke, but overall I know this is where I need to be.

And so when I went to see her the day I was going to give my notice (July 1st for those of you keeping track) she helped me realize the second shifting factor.  See, I started seeing a boy in May.  I know, I know…awww.  Anyways, with him I didn’t have any of the breaking out hives or freaking out about kisses in public.  He just made me happy.  By him being him and letting me be me.  And I did something I haven’t done in approximately eleven years…I put myself out there to lay myself and my feelings directly in enemy territory, prepared for a strike.  On June 30th (the day I had set in my mind 6 months ago to make a decision free fall leap of faith move) I let things end, quite painfully for me (yes, there were tears and ice cream and copious amounts of wine.)  And while having someone you like so much not like you back or it being just bad timing or whatever sucks, it taught me that putting yourself out there in any capacity elicits a far greater return.  And the sun will still rise the next day, regardless of the decisions of the day before.  And most importantly the smile on my face and giddiness in my chest are well worth the hangover and sugar coma induced.

Which leads me to my third and final BIG MOMENT WOW factor, and that is the Universe.  I was so intrigued by Susan Pogorzelski’s ongoing Twitter conversations with the Universe from the beginning because I am a firm believer in fate/karma/destiny/really stupid luck.  I’m a firmer believer in the conditioning of the human spirit and our ability to react to and work with the fate/karma/destiny/really stupid luck.  And over the past six months the opportunities and doors and various circumstances smacking me in the face and screaming “YOU NEED TO DO THIS” have just gotten to be too much so if the Universe is ready to leap with me and be paid totally in Tootsie Roll reimbursement, I’m in.

These are the catalyst “a-HA” moments that got me here.  Of course I wouldn’t even entertain the notion without the support of my friends and family.  From my friend Sam who told me five years ago when we both worked in sales that she loved my writing and I should do that for a living to my IRLSPBFFE Jenny Blake who sent me the most amazing email outlining why she believed in me so much and why I needed to make this decision the morning of July 1st, from my parents who joined Facebook to keep in touch and read everything I was putting out to my colleagues who are more interested in my latest column than talking about “that boring insurance stuff,” from my sister who dutifully listened to EVERY POST I WROTE IN THE FIRST 8 MONTHS to the Way Below Status Quo crew who ventured to Portland for their Roadtrip Smackdown and gleefully congratulated me on the move.  And all you readers and friends who comment and email and Skype and message and make me happy every time I log on and challenge me to be the best version of myself.

Everyone and everything has fallen into place, playing a part in pushing me to the decisions I’ve made.

Now begins the craziness…I’m so excited to have it happen and thrilled that you will be here for the ride!

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