“Quit your job. Buy a ticket. Get a tan. Fall in love. Never return.”

This post was inspired by that super catchy quote from Island Company.  It’s not a quote from someone escaping his possibly mundane life, but it sparks motivation to make that life better.  To me, it ignites a motive to look at your current situation and to do something to make it a little (or a lot) better.  And so I thought about it.  Here goes.

 

QUIT YOUR JOB.

Without hesitation, I can truthfully say that I’m really happy with my life in Orlando.  I’ve lived here for about eight years.  Throughout that time, I’ve definitely had my share of friends, experiences, ups, downs.  My alta mater is here, and as a result, I also have a number of ties to the community because of it.  I started my career here, and it’s truly amazing the relationships that you create with people when you’ve sat in a room with them for 11 + hours.  The bond that occurs when suffering together through busy season is something you cannot imagine.  The alcohol also helps.  The people I surround myself with make me the person that I am today.  And I’m so incredibly fortunate for them. Despite the toxic relationships that I’ve managed to rid myself, those people also, at one point in time, made Orlando a special place for me.   Other than the relationships I’ve built, there are plenty of things this city has to offer.

In spite of the great things and people that make Orlando a home for me, I’ve always known that I could be happier.   It’s not because I’m UNHAPPY here, but I’ve always had a hunch that I needed to go out and experience something bigger and totally different.  Maybe it’ll result in a new place to call home. Maybe it’ll result in the realization that Orlando is where I’ve always belonged. Maybe it’s neither of the two.

The point is that I made a conscious effort to change things because I know they have the potential to be better for me.  And result in a happier me.  So I am moving by the end of this year in search of a bigger, faster environment.

 

BUY A TICKET.

One way ticket to Los Angeles, California. 🙂

 

GET A TAN.

 

Although I’m not 100% certain, I’m pretty positive that I won’t settle down in L.A.  But at the very least, I am going to do all that I can to fully immerse myself in my new life out there.  That doesn’t mean that I’m going to be a yogi, quit accounting and pursue some acting/modeling/singing career, or any other “stereotype”.  No.  It means that I’m going to take all of the bullshit that I hear about L.A., learn about them, and forget about them.  I want to take in all the good that L.A. and California has to offer.  I’m letting go of all negativity and going to really work hard at finding the positives as I start my new life out west.  I’m going to do my best to experience one hell of an amazing ride out there in case I find myself moving again.  No regrets.

 

FALL IN LOVE.

This entire experience is one that will really test me and my strengths.  I’m not going out there cold-turkey, but the transition will definitely not be an easy one.  I’m going to have to build an entire new network of friends; earn my trust at my job; and rediscover myself.

Spence Antle (Island Company founder and creative director) said it best when he talked about this part: “In love with where you are, who you are, and in love with the potential of your future. This love is what allows great things to happen again. And it usually isn’t dependent on anyone other than ourselves to achieve.”

 

NEVER RETURN.

Appreciate the past.  Cherish it, but keep moving forward.  Never stop learning.  Never stop opening your heart, mind, and soul to the amazing things the future has in store.  Never stop believing that better days are yet to come.

Granted I took this quote and probably went to one extreme with it, but I think everyone can take something from it.  Everyone can benefit from being a little happier in their lives.  Just because you’re comfortable, does it mean you’re actually happy? And if not, why not do something about it?  Complacency is human nature, but probably not the answer.   If we are settling, we’re losing sight of ourselves and the potential we have for greater things.  So don’t sell yourself short.  The least you can do is think about it, and hopefully, in the not too distant future, do something about it.   The worst thing you can do is not give yourself a chance.