Embrace the Unknown

When I was 18 years old, I packed everything I owned, including my cat, into my car. Sentimental keepsakes, clothes, blankets, and road trip snacks filled my car to the brim. My cat “G” sat in the front seat with me as we drove from California to Tucson, Arizona. Yes, he was my roll cat, and I’ll never forget the pit-stops that we made along the way together. Why Arizona? I wasn’t moving there to go to college. Nor was I moving there because I had a job waiting for me. I packed up and left the place that I called home because I needed a change. I didn’t know exactly what kind of change I was hoping for, but I knew that I was willing to go and look for it. Instead of fearing the unknown I embraced it.

Young and Naive but Relentless

I’m not gonna bullshit you. The first few years were hard as fuck. I had no money, no friends, and no idea what the fuck I was doing. Oh yeah, there is one part that I left out. I had a boyfriend that decided to make that move with me. What can I say? We were young, and I was a hopeless romantic. I’m still a hopeless romantic; I’m just a lot older and smarter with my decisions now. Anyway, during the first year, I bounced around between waitressing jobs, and I enrolled in a veterinary technician program at a local college. I wasn’t happy doing either of those things. I just knew that I had to be doing SOMETHING so I kept myself busy. Looking back now, I realize I did that to keep myself distracted so I wouldn’t notice how unsatisfied I was. I applied for a position at a bank when I was 19. One afternoon while I was working my shift at the restaurant I got a call. I got a job offer for the position I applied for, and 5 minutes later I quit. That was my last day working in a restaurant.

Changes

Communication was different in 2007. I wasn’t on Facebook and Facetime wasn’t around yet, so I didn’t stay in touch with a lot of people. The few people I stayed in touch with are still some of my closest friends today. I’ll never forget those times when I just needed a familiar voice to talk to and those particular people who always answered my call. Over the next few years, I really focused on myself so making new friends and having a social life was not a top priority. In 2009 I was single and living on my own for the very first time. This experience took on a whole new meaning in my life. It was the first time I was truly alone with myself. Was I lonely? Sometimes, but I was content with myself, and it felt fucking amazing!

I Like You Too, but I’m Moving

In 2010 I got swept off my feet again. Two months after meeting this fantastic guy who shook up my whole world, my job approached me about transferring to the Phoenix office. I was not about to let my past repeat itself by moving to a new city with a new boyfriend, but damn I really liked him. I had about two people in Tucson that I actually considered friends and both of them encouraged me to take the job. Just when I was getting comfortable in Tucson, life decided I needed a change again. I told the guy that I was dating that I was moving in a month. I’ll never forget his reaction. He put down the McDouble he was eating and walked over to me and said.” I want to be with you, and if you allow me to come, I will pay half of all the expenses.” I know super romantic right? LMAO! He and I alone packed up my entire apartment into a U-Haul and this time, two cats, took a road trip with me to a new city.

Phoenix Transformed Me

I didn’t know a single person in Phoenix, and again I was okay with that. Adjusting in Phoenix was much easier than it was in Tucson. I moved there with intention and purpose, and I was excited about the unknown. In Phoenix, I really started to blossom and grow as an individual. I explored the city, hiked beautiful Arizona mountains, became a Yelp Elite and started eating at restaurants all over the city. I enrolled in college, got a promotion, and met some amazing people. Traveling became part of my routine, and I would go back home to California now and then and started meeting my bestie in different states for random vacations. The five years I spent in Phoenix was five of the most amazing years of my life. California might have raised me, but Arizona helped shape me into the woman I am today.

You’re Not From Here, Are You?

In 2015 another job opportunity within my company presented itself. I decided to move yet again, and this time it was to Dallas. I contemplated the pro’s and con’s of making this move but the pro’s heavily outweighed the negatives. The transition happened extremely fast, and within two months I was driving to Texas to start my next chapter. Remember that guy that came along with me to Phoenix? His name is George, and he moved, yet again, 

to Dallas with me. Neither of us had stepped foot into Dallas until the day we arrived with all of our crap, and cats, packed into our car. Moving to Dallas took our relationship, personal lives, and careers to a new level. For the first two weeks, we slept on a blow-up mattress in our living room until the moving truck arrived with all of our stuff. We didn’t have anything but each other, but we couldn’t have been happier.

Changing Locations Changed Who I Am

Every place I have lived has made an impact on my life and who I am. New surroundings, new people, and new experiences have been good for my soul. I am a stronger, better and happier person because of them. In the first two years of moving to Dallas, I graduated college, got married, started new hobbies, made new friends, and I’m in my 11th year my company. All of our closest family and friends from California, Arizona, and other states made it out to Dallas for our wedding, and it was the most beautiful day of my life. Ten years ago did I think I would end up getting married in Texas to a man that was from Arizona and be surrounded by my friends from the places I have lived? Fuck no I didn’t! But, that is the beauty of embracing the unknown. I don’t know who I would be today if I never left California but I don’t care to know. When people ask me, “You’re not from here, are you?” I get the biggest smile on my face and love saying, ” Nope, I’m not!”

No Regrets

I have no regrets about the decisions I’ve made, and I support anyone who is thinking about making a life-changing move. Some people never leave home or get to experience life in another environment. I say, if you have the opportunity to do so, then don’t think twice about it! Last year if you would have asked me if Dallas is my “forever home” I probably would have said that I didn’t know. But, a few weeks ago my husband and I just bought out first home soooo it looks like we will be staying for a little bit longer than expected! We are beyond excited for this new chapter in our lives. Never in a million years would I have thought I would have ended up here but I’m thankful for every step that has led me to this point. Life is a journey filled with unexpected miracles. You never know what is out there waiting for you until you start traveling around to find it!

Would you ever move to a place that you have never been before? Please share your stories and experiences with us!