So, as of tomorrow, it's been a month since I wrote my last blog. When I got a text message today that said "You should write a new blog"... Well, I obliged. I've been putting it off because I haven't had enough time to sit down and write about what I promised to write about (Gateway's sermon relating religion to finances) and I really wanted to. But, for the time being, because "life happens," I'm having to put that topic on hold. For good reason. (Also explaining the lack of time to actually write...)
As of recently, life has thrown me a couple of curve balls... Three of which would have made me strike out under normal circumstances. But as of right now, each of these curve balls may have resulted in a home run. That's TBD...
I started with Practice Cafe (http://www.practicecafe.com/) on February 13, 2008, 2 months after I graduated college. At Practice Cafe, I started as a Marketing Associate and quickly became the Marketing Director. I worked for Practice Cafe for 4 years and loved the company, co-workers and my job. The only thing that didn't seem right was that I've always felt compelled to move to Denver. The only thing holding me back was this good job, which I felt like I was good at. (This doesn't take into account the obvious family I have in Austin... Of course they were also holding me back, but I also knew they'd understand if I ever decided to move.)
Well, 2.5 weeks ago, my sister in law sent me a link to a job posting in Denver... It was for a Marketing Director position for an orthodontic practice (that has 2 locations) in Denver. This is exactly what I've been doing at Practice Cafe, just with a slight shift in my thought process. I took the chance and sent my resume (on a Wednesday.) By Thursday I had a job interview and by Friday I had a job offer. As of Friday night, I had plans to move to Denver in 2 weeks.
I was scared. Out. Of. My. Mind. It all happened so quickly. My initial anxiety came from the fact that was I was leaving a company that I have worked so hard for and loved for 4 years. Then it came from the feeling like I disappointed my bosses by making the choice I did. (This feeling was comparable to disappointing my dad and best friend.) I was actually sick to my stomach and was feeling too many things that it actually made me feel numb. I couldn't feel things. I didn't react. I didn't show feelings. (Note- While I may have disappointed my employers, they were also happy for me and knew how much I've always wanted to be in Denver.)
Then, I quickly realized that not only was I leaving my job, but that meant I would be starting a new job. I haven't done that in 4 years. Scary. I had no idea what to expect... I knew I could do it, but I sincerely had no idea where to start in preparing for it. (I started my job today, and I still have no idea how to prepare for it.)
Now, this also meant I have to move to Denver. It's true that Denver has always been my dream, but now that it was coming true, I had no idea where to start. I had to say goodbye to my job. To my dad. To my brother. And nephew. And all of my friends. Before this move, I've never moved more than 45 minutes away from everyone and everything. Thankfully, I knew I had (have) a strong support system in Denver, since that's where most of my relatives live. But still... This was such a huge move (literally, figuratively, emotionally...) I just had no idea where to start. So, I started slowly. Despite the fact that I had exactly 2 weeks to pack up my life and go. Thankfully, I also had/have a good support system in Austin, too, that really pulled through and helped me when I needed to either be distracted, calmed down or just someone to talk to. I couldn't have gotten through those two weeks without those people. Especially one in particular. :)
Now, I'm here. Not quite settled in, but the best that it's going to be for the next month or so. I'm not 100% sure it's hit me yet. I miss certain things, and mostly certain people. I miss being a part of everyone's life daily, but this is what I had to do for myself. But, I'm thankful.
In my initial post, I mentioned that one of my New Years resolutions going into 2011 was to "step out of my comfort zone." I wrote a lot about how this became not just a resolution, but a way of life. In my last post, I mentioned that going into 2012 I had full intentions of continuing this way of life as well as live it out even more. Well, here I am. In Denver. With the people I love most in Austin. And after leaving a great, secure job. But as I said, I had to do it for myself. I've always known that I'm supposed to be in Denver and I'm so thankful to have this opportunity to start a new job and be near more family. I am sad to have left most things in Austin, but all things worth while will always be there and can even possibly come here. And for that, I'm beyond excited.
Everyone hears the term "Life Happens" and relates it to a negative connotation. For me, it can have a negative connotation, but, I've chosen to grasp the opportunities that life has given me and "step out of my comfort zone" to really live my life. And that should be what the term means. I definitely don't think I would have been strong enough to do this without my experiences from the end of 2010-2011 that I learned so much from, nor without the support of such amazing people in my life.
:)
