The City of Angels.

I remember clear as day applying to colleges during my senior year in high school. Searching for universities throughout California and Florida; I knew I wanted to be somewhere warm, and close to the beach. To fast forward a bit; I graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania; one of the coldest universities I could have decided on. I was set on moving far away from Philly after college since it didn’t happen as planned after high school.

After four years of hard work, tears, sleepless nights, and prayers; I was offered several jobs in California before graduating. Summer 2018, I would be moving to Los Angeles, to start my “dream job.” I was leaving my family, friends, and, relationship back in Philly to go follow my dreams. I had people telling me not to move, and I heard all of the “what-ifs” possible. But, I believed in myself, and knew what I was capable of. It takes a special type of person to take risks; such as moving across the country by yourself.

My first month in Los Angeles was nothing short of exhilarating. I would get off of work and go to the beach, pools, the food was amazing, my job was challenging; perfect. Then life started to hit me..fast. I was lonely (the new me would have told myself to get it together, I didn’t need anybody but God), I had to move into a new apartment, my health wasn’t good, and the list could go on. But, I would still wake up every morning grateful, and ready to do what God called me out there to do. I went back and forth for about a month on whether I should move back to Philly or not. I was happy; but I knew that I could be happier. Work soon became my entire life, including weekends; it was difficult for me to focus on my own personal goals that I wanted to accomplish. As I was making the next person rich, I felt that I was settling. I’m appreciative for the fact that I can even say that; 22 years old living in Los Angeles on my own, feeling like I was settling..Young With Options.

Now, February 2019, and yes, I moved back to Philly. All of the negativity and feedback that I heard when I shared that I was moving to LA, is very similar to what I received when I let people know that I was coming back home. I heard things such as, “people are going to say you failed,” and, “you’re going to come home and get comfortable.” First thing first, don’t ever let anyone tell you how to live your life. Nobody is you, and nobody knows how you truly feel except God and yourself. Secondly, even if you go for something and it doesn’t work out, you still win. You still had the guts to head straight into something that frightened you, and that type of bravery will always take you places. 

I knew that moving home was the right choice for me at the time, when I was offered a higher up position with a raise, and still wasn’t satisfied. In reality, my “dream” job, wasn’t my true dream job. It may have been what I wanted when I was in college, but I am constantly growing and challenging myself. And at that current time in my life; I wanted and needed more. My months in Los Angeles grew me into the person that God needed me to be for the next chapter of my life he was about to bring me through.

I encourage everybody to experience a move to a new city or state, some point in their life. Even traveling by yourself is rewarding. It challenges you and allows you to learn more about yourself. Never be afraid to leave friends, lovers, and, possibilities for the chance to roam the world and make deeper connections. There are no rules in this thing called life. Both decisions that I made, people thought that I was crazy. More importantly, both times I felt uncomfortable which only led to growth. Fear will never allow you to get far in life; once you become fearless, life becomes limitless.