A long time ago, I decided it was time to start over. Single and jobless, it was a chance to sprout a new leaf after being burned –I had nothing left. And from the ground up, I did just that.
Two years later, I realized that despite starting a new job, new look, and after a few personal accomplishments (published author, successful blogger, lost weight, etc…) that I was on the right track. For a while I was, but I still felt stagnant.
I had explained why I quit my job and not being respected there. And despite my circle of family and friends, whom I love and I know love me, I don’t have a reason to stay in NYC.
Thus, with no one and nothing to convince me otherwise, I decided to leave. And it took me the better part of 2015 to figure out how, but as of January 2016, I will be a new resident in England.
This is one of my saddest goodbyes to everyone I know, it really wasn’t until Thanksgiving, my last holiday dinner here, that I realized there are many people I won’t see for a few years. Granted, I don’t see much of those folks everyday, but it will still feel hard not to be able to text them and make plans for a drink on a whim.
So, in 2016 as I did in 2014, I will be starting over again. I have no one nor do I know anyone in the UK, so it is a true start from scratch. Again, from the ground up.
Packing light, starting small, and hopefully I will make it big from there.
I will still blog weekly, and keep writing. However, the next few weeks, my postings may be sporadic as I have a month to “close out” my personal things in NY and pre-plan some things for the UK. For example, tomorrow I have my biometric appointment; as a “foreigner” I have to submit to finger printing and background checks, lol. Then I have more paperwork to submit for housing and loan applications. I decided to pursue a postgraduate degree as well…so lots of fun preparing for that too.
Everyone has to start over at some point, whether you’ve gotten out of a relationship, job, school, or town. However, for most of us — starting over wasn’t voluntarily. This move is voluntarily for me, but in a way I felt that it wasn’t because I sick and tired of being sick and tired. But today, after talking with a friend, who admired my “go-getter” spirit. I told her the plain truth:
Quitting and leaving is the hardest decision I made to date. Yes, it sounded so cool that if I get a job, which would sponsor a visa etc…but I soon realized how hard that would be and if I wanted to make a change I had to take a risk.
So with a plan, but having more “hope” than a “solid yes” I quit, went two months without a paycheck, used my credit card liberally before finding work again, and just when I decided my dream was a waste and I should turn back and get a 9 to 5 job — I learned I was going.
These last six months have been tough, but like I told my friend, my only regret was not quitting my job sooner and starting the application to leave in September instead of January. But alas, it’s here now and I am gone.
So when have you had to start over? How did you make it through?
I’d like your advice or tips.
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