My blogging is back by popular demand! Okay, not really, but I think that my blogging hiatus has been extended long enough - it’s time for a new chapter…a new beginning.
I would first like to explain the reasoning behind my writers block and/or lack of time to even think creatively. When life comes at you fast, you end up in survival mode and let me just say that survival mode is NOT a conducive environment for… well, anything. Although I don’t anticipate that life will ever be stress-free, I have reason to believe that I am making life changes that are going to allow me to have more time for myself and the things that I love – including blogging!
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| This is a work in progress and it's a VERY rough draft, but I am working on a brand - inspired by my family. Once the final product is finished, I will share the details. |
After much debate, I left me previous job because of the extensive traveling involved, among other things. The so called 15 percent traveling average turned into permanent residency abroad on ship construction sites. I will not bore you with details; all that is important is where I am headed. After clearing my desk, clearing my mind and parting ways with some bad habits, I came up with a plan, which I wanted to implement immediately – quick like a Band-Aid.
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| This is how rough I look when I work 100 hour weeks...no one wants to look at this. Also, if you look closely, there's a yellow truck in the background that has my name on it. |
The Game Changer
1 – Asses my life goals, wants and needs
2- Travel for pleasure and to discover new business opportunities
3 – Find a job that suits me and that allows me to have a balanced work and personal life
Here is my timeline for the coming weeks of finding myself (no I am not having a crisis – I am simply searching for more out of life):
April 4 – April 9: Austin, Texas. There, I will partake in merriment with great friends. I will also be scoping the city to see if I would like to relocate. I am a proponent for finding a space/environment where you feel at home; a place where nature is abundant, the culture is lively and people stop to say hello.
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| The lovely Emma who will be joining me in my Euro excursions. |
April 16 – May Emma and CZ’s Excellent European Adventure: Includes but is not limited to the following cities – London, Brugge, Amsterdam, Berlin, Munich, Prague, Nuremburg, Cologne and Brussels. I can hardly contain my excitement!! I’ve been to many countries, but never to this region of the world. The shenanigans and excursions that are going to take place will be gold! I will also be sharing my travel budget – once completed - for the trip which is an adapted version of the following sites: Life Remotely and Microsoft Office Business Trip Budget templates.
The idea of moving and changing jobs can sometimes be overwhelming to people. Having lived abroad for a year and subsequently living out of a suitcase for a year and a half, I was more than ready for a change! Everyone has bad days, but if yours heavily outweigh the good ones, it might be time for you to stop and evaluate what it is that is making you unhappy.
Action item for you, reader: For a month, document how you are spending your time, where your energy is spent, who you are surrounded by, what you are eating, thinking, etc. After the four weeks, you will have a good idea of your routine – or lack thereof – and what events/tasks/ behaviors are affecting the way you feel. Ask yourself, “is this what I want to be doing? Could I make any actionable changes (large or small) that will improve my quality of life”?
Simply put, if you are unhappy, it’s up to you to change it. No one else can change your attitude or behaviors for you. With that being said, sometimes all it takes is a simple attitude adjustment…but not in my case – I tried that first.
What a new environments/ relocating can do for you:
· Force you to find a new rewarding career or business opportunity – network, network, network!
· Allows you to meet new and interesting people - join a health club, participate in events with a local organization, support local businesses and take advantage of every encounter.
· Give you a new perspective on American culture (given that the new location is within the U.S.). Different cities have varying cultures, lifestyles and demographics.
· Depending on the circumstances, you may find yourself alone in a city, which pushes you to fend for yourself and find the independent person within. On the other hand, you may be moving to be closer to family and friends - this will provide you with a much needed support system.
· Different things to do and fresh places – you can spend your time discovering local treasures, interesting places to eat, new hang outs and more.
If you have recently moved, I would love to hear your feedback about your first impressions and reactions to your new environment!
