One Way Ticket to DFW please.

Why would you move across the country in 10 days without ever seeing your new office and apartment?

Three months ago, I packed my dog in a carrier and flew one way from LAX to DFW.

I grew up in Southern California and went to school in Northern California. I have never lived anywhere other than the Golden State and had no plans to (I didn't even apply to out of state schools).

Growing up in Los Angeles, CA, I never felt the need to explore outside my hometown. I didn't even need to access freeways until I traveled 500 miles north for school.

After graduation, I made the decision to move back to LA. I spent the past 3 years working at a recruitment firm where my colleagues traveled near and far to live in Los Angeles. I attended early morning calls with London and late night calls with China. I learned the difference between a Northern and Essex accent as well as the proper way to enjoy a Sunday Roast.

I was living the LA dream- I lived a block from the Venice Beach Boardwalk, worked on Santa Monica's 3rd Street Promenade, attended Dodgers games every week, and brunched with my French Bulldog. Many dreamed of this life but something felt missing. Everywhere I turned, I heard conversations about individuals who fulfilled their dream of moving to Los Angeles.

This is when I started asking myself, "Is LA where I belong?" Many of my friends were able to talk about the places they lived and how they knew where they belonged to progress their life. How was I supposed to know if I never lived anywhere else?

Right as 2018 came to an end, I challenged myself to step out of my comfort zone and find out for myself. In order to grow, both professionally and personally, I had to leave California and see other places. The rest fell in place. I secured a job in Dallas and although terrified, accepted it and packed up my belongings.

So here I am, 96 days later, enjoying the rash decision I made and still learning how to survive actual weather in the middle of Texas. I will always remember the phone call I had with my parents when I notified them that I'm moving 1200 miles. They asked me if I wanted to think about it and for the first time in my life, I didn't try to overthink it and went with it.

Ironically, when I tell people of my decision, I'm seen as brave. Little did they know that for my whole life, I have always been afraid of stepping out of my comfort zone.

If you read all the way to the end, I thank you for following along. It's been an exciting and scary ride so far and I know I'm nowhere near done yet. I challenge each and everyone of you to do something that scares you this year- whether that is changing your job, relocating, or both- make the jump! It will be alright and you will learn so much about yourself.

Of course, you can go and cut your hair or start a workout routine too. Just go and tackle a something that scares you.