Take a Deep Breath and Jump!

I’m feeling bold and unpredictable, stale and unchallenged (at least under-challenged). It’s time for a change. A drastic one.

As I work through this on-going process of finding myself again, I’m re-discovering the core essence of my being. I long to express my exuberant, energetic, fun and quirky inner child on a daily basis. I long to express and utilize my natural creativity regularly and in a manner that is profitable. I feel restless, completely unfulfilled and seriously in need of a challenge.

The other week, I was talking to Terry and realized that I am desperately, desperately unhappy. It really is true that money can’t buy you happiness. I feel guilty that, from the outside looking in, I seem to have a great life, with a good, stable job and just about everything I could want. And yet, I weep with an uncontrollable sadness that wells up from deep inside of me. I am not doing what makes me happy. I am not expressing myself creatively, through art, music or dance. Sure, I try to attend a Zumba class once a week, dance around my house and sing/listen to music for hours on end whenever I can (daily, if I’m lucky), but it’s just not enough. I’m not feeling challenged and I’ve come to realize that I’m not happy unless I’m stretching myself and pushing my boundaries. I think that I crave being forced just slightly out of my comfort zone and, for years, I’ve been comfortably numb, but it’s all coming to a head now.

I’ve talked about moving to a large city for several years now. I have no desire to live in Philadelphia and New York City doesn’t hold any real appeal for me. London was an original thought, but the rain and cold would not be good for my headaches and/or joints. Plus the cost of living is sky-high. So now my thoughts are turning to the west coast. What do I want to do? I don’t know. Where do I want to live? I don’t know, but I’m sure that figuring out what I want to do will help to dictate a location. I realize that it’s going to take me a while to figure things out, but I’ve made the decision to enact radical changes in my life and start moving in the right direction towards true happiness. Fortunately, I have the support of (most of) my family and my husband, who is willing to take the leap with me wherever I decide to go. I have always known that home is wherever my husband is and to have him behind me 100% makes this journey so much easier. I already have a fall-back plan in mind, but no big picture plan. Yet. Just making the decision to make a plan, though, has begun to quell the growing restlessness that I’ve been experiencing. We figure that it will take about 2 years before we can fully flesh things out and start enacting a plan. Some days that feels like a long time and some days it feels like it’s right around the corner. Regardless, it’s movement, which is what I need.

The most important thing is to not be afraid. After all, what’s the worst thing that can happen? I can fail. Well, okay then. I always have tried and true skills that I can fall back upon and I can pick up new ones in no time flat. But to be afraid to try is something that I would regret and I try to live a life without regret. So I’m ready to jump. I don’t know how far down the water is or what dive I’m going to execute, but I have time in the air to figure it out.

In the words of Chicago Tribune writer Mary Schmich: “Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don’t.”

Apparently, I’m very interesting. 😀

About Jenna Magee

IT professional, needleworker, editor/proofreader, author, singer, musician.
This entry was posted in Journey to Self-Discovery, Life in General. Bookmark the permalink.

8 Responses to Take a Deep Breath and Jump!

  1. Angela says:

    Woot! It sounds like a thrilling and life changing adventure. I wish you both the best of all things to come….. Keep us posted!

  2. Anna says:

    And I must be the most interesting 40 year old you know! 🙂 Good luck. Portland.

  3. barbara says:

    WOW! How exciting! For the west coast, I can say that Seattle and the surrounding area is nice. I have family out there and lived there as a child. Lots of culture, but also a lot of small-town areas for variety. There is the rain to consider, though…. I’m so glad you and Terry are together on this – I think a lot of marriages start to come apart when the people involved realize they need something “more” out of life. Good luck, and keep us posted!

  4. Christine says:

    You are fantastically interesting! Go for it – this is an exciting venture. Scott & I have been through a lot of moves and it’s always new and interesting.

  5. Anne R says:

    Sound exciting! And a good thing that Terry’s behind you on this; I’m guessing he wouldn’t have a hard time finding a job elsewhere?

    Go for it! With all the best wishes (and a hope that you’ll update me when you get a new address) from Sweden (also a nice place to live 😉 )

  6. Von says:

    As Barbara says, Seattle is a nice area. Rainfall really isn’t that much (about 37 inches a year) but they do experience a lot of gray, misty days, more than many cities that get more actual rainfall. But when it’s clear, it’s gorgeous! Maybe you’re thinking Southwest?? Some friends from here recently relocated to the Tucson area where they’re loving the lifestyle.

    I hope a change in location will bring that spark of interest back into your life!

  7. Karen says:

    Good for you for pushing yourself out of your comfort zone! The most memorable things for me have happened outside my comfrort zone. I hope wherever you go and whatever you do brings you happiness!

  8. Lana says:

    Wow! Good luck with your new life goals!! I have been feeling a bit on the empty side for exactly the same reason lately, and have been working towards a few personal goals of my own, and it feels REALLY good!! Like I have something to look forward to, to strive for, to live for! Just keep your eyes on the goal, and don’t look away, when we have to look so far in the distance for our dreams to come true we sometimes just wanna give up!! But be strong!! And keep striving!! You can do it!!

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