What Doing the One Thing That Scared Me Most Taught Me

Moving to Seattle changed my life.

No, not because the city is so great (although I am loving it so far). It was following through with the decision to move that changed everything.

You see, before moving to Seattle, I was living a VERY comfortable life in Minnesota. Don’t get me wrong—there are seasons for comfort, but I had been comfortable for too long.

I had reached this point where I felt like I had no control over my life—like everything was just happening to me. Since moving, I’ve finally grasped the saying, “Life happens for you, not to you.” And let me tell you, it is a beautiful thing when that sinks in.

Since moving to Seattle, I have felt more alive. I’m spending more time outdoors (hello mountains and ocean), which I never made time for in Minnesota. I’ve committed to moving my body daily, whether it’s in a yoga class or walking up and down these darn hills. I’ve connected with more people than I have in years. I leapt from a work situation that wasn’t working for me and landed at Women For One (the timing couldn’t have been better and I’m already in love with this team).

And the crazy part? I totally could have made all of those things happen in Minnesota, but I needed to make a big, scary move like leaving the only place I’ve ever lived to prove to myself that I can do anything.

Moving to Seattle showed me that I have the power to create the life I want. If you’re sitting on the edge of something big, I encourage you to check in with your gut and listen to what it’s telling you. YOU know what YOU want, and only YOU are the one who can truly hear what that is.

Trust me, the other side isn’t as scary as it may seem.

I’m so thankful for this experience and wake-up call that the life I dream of isn’t going to fall into my lap—it’s up to me to make it happen. I don’t know what comes next, but I’m eagerly awaiting my next jump!