I want to overhaul my life and I feel like the universe is sending me signs that I should change.
My car keeps conking out over the past month or so, even though I only received the car as a gift in October and have since put $1500 into it just to make it go, not even to make me comfortable. ..and it still doesn’t go. I refuse to put any more money into it. It’s so bad that I haven’t even been driving it lately. I’ve driven my dad’s Ford Escape on and off for the past week and a half. It feels so huge to me, but it’s nice to have A/C and a passenger side door that opens from the outside. Anyway, I want to give my car up and move to a city, where I can walk more and take advantage of mass transit. I would love to never drive, walk to a cafe for a cappuccino or to a bar for happy hour, always have something to do.
I have a particular city in mind. The idea of living in Philadelphia again thrills me. I loved living there for nine months four and a half years ago. It’s odd that I am a traveler and fall in love with places, but dislike my current town, which happens to be my hometown. Its character simply does not match mine. It is very family-oriented and I am not. I also follow bloggers daily, including expats who love their new home and relish sharing all about it. I want something like what they have. I’d probably be a better blogger. Additionally, post-breakup, I am not tied to the area by anyone. While I do have family and friends I love here, I do not have a significant other securing me here.
Since my recent car repairs have wiped out my savings for my 30th birthday trip to Paris, I am unsure if I save all the money I make from working every Sunday and perhaps another night of the week at my part-time job from July up until next April, it would still get me there… I want to land a (full-time) job with a greater income or have cheaper rent and living expenses, even if that means sharing a two bedroom with a roommate, to save some real money. I am still set on toasting a new decade in the City of Light.
Working two jobs seven days a week so often is tiring. Frequently, you just go through the motions. …even me, who tries so hard to truly experience life, appreciating the little things and living life consciously. When asked how I am, (when not in my bubbly small talk) I hate answering “busy” or “same old, same old.” I want to make the most of my life. I want to revel in the fact that I just savored gelato while strolling through Rittenhouse Square [in Philadelphia] in the sunshine for example. Living in my hometown isn’t living my best life.
I’ve been trying to land an entry-level study abroad job for the past four and a half years and haven’t succeeded yet. I always figured I’d turn my life upside down when I landed that dream job. …but I can change my life without that particular plan. Since Plan A isn’t working out, I need a Plan B, to change my tactics. I want to be very happy.
With my car trouble, not even liking my town, breakup, frustration with my temporary life seeming permanent, jeopardizing my Paris trip and my life seeming blah over the last few days all make me ready for big change. This propels me into action.
So very action-oriented, I am back to my old tricks, I applied to three jobs out-of-state yesterday. One was one of my study abroad jobs I apply for regularly. This one was in Arlington, VA. Conversely, the other two were leasing jobs in Philly. Those applications are out of the ordinary for me. One of the two I am excited about- a leasing manager position which is a promotion for me in a very nice high-rise right in the middle of downtown (which is called Center City) Philadelphia. I probably cannot even afford to live there, but it’s a nice idea. My current company does have its headquarters just outside Philadelphia but they lack a property within the city limits. If they buy a property there, I will be first in line to transfer.
Please wish me luck in making this change actually happen.
I wish you well! I think you should go for it. It is well worth it. I think I would be a very different person if I had stayed in my home town after college. I needed to get away for my own reasons and it was the best decision I've ever made. It isn't always a bed of roses, but it pushed me in a different direction, but I'm so happy I did it. It was scary, but I had NO money when I moved and NO job. I just got here and found two part time jobs that led to one full time job that I still have today. 20 years later. It was a leap to say the least. Trust your gut on this. I don't know if you ever read the blog Euro Chic, (now it's no longer public), but she did the same thing you want to do…moved to a bigger city with mass transit and got rid of her car and created the life she wanted to live.
Anyway, I've rambled here, but I really do wish you the best on this journey.
Thank you so much for this comment, your wisdom and well wishes, Stephanie. It's nice to hear a "hey, I've been there." Nice to have the encouragement rather than simply support.
I want to land a full-time job first, but I'm working on it– I applied to another job in Philly today. I'm trying to keep an open mind to the jobs I'm applying to; they do not have to be perfect. I should place more importance on the place rather than the job. Living in a city or specifically in Philadelphia will make me happy. I crave being a city girl again. I did read Euro Chic for a bit while it was live. In fact, I can still picture her outfit posts, but don't remember her story. Like I said in my post, I feel the time is right.
Michelle
Yes to the mass transit! As we've discussed before, I'd love to live someplace where my two feet and a good subway system got us pretty much everywhere (with maybe a tiny little car for trips to the country that we store).
I absolutely think you should move to Philadelphia. I'll be sad to see you go, but I think everyone deserves to live some place where they are truly thrilled to be. It makes living live, not just existing, so much easier.
Thank you! I really hope to get there… I applied to three jobs on Monday and one on Wednesday and Thursday. I'm working on it.
I think Philly would be a good choice, based on what it seems you like/want (as far as I know from your blog, lol). It's in my home state, and while I am not from Philly, I often go (also for Consulate issues) and it's such an easily accessible place by foot, bus or train. As you know, there are so many museums, galleries and shops, the whole Italian section, and the restaurant scene is making big strides, at least IMO.
Good luck!
I lived in South Philadelphia and really loved it, pretty Italian there, with its restaurants with opera-singing waitstaff. I used to live half a block from a subway stop. If I never drove again, I'd be happy. I like the mass transit there. I feel it's a very underrated city. I am also ready for something new!