I woke up today feeling good, feeling blessed even. It’s the kind of morning where everything just feels right, the air is crisp and I feel like my life is just flowing with an effortless ease despite the fact that nothing of import has happened today.
With a fresh cup of coffee in hand, I stepped outside for a bit and settled into a perfectly designed outdoor chair. Bless whoever created this furniture masterpiece because it perfectly cushioned me as I watched birds twitter about and squirrels scamper through the towering redwoods on our backyard. Sunlight is streaming through the leaves, flickering as the trees dance this windy winter morning.
To my left, the door leading to the back area is slightly ajar, and I spy our “plant corner”, a collection of plants thriving in a space my partner and I have carefully and lovingly created. He brings the organization and the system in our space, and I bring the natural and the cozy inside. Our home feels like a sanctuary for us both. It’s a life that feels rich and full. In this moment, I am overcome with a deep gratitude – gratitude for the stillness of this morning, I can savor my coffee, the beauty that surrounds me, and the undeniable feeling that I am taken care of and everything will be alright.
The Journey Begins
In just five days, I’ll be on my way to a different country, a different city. I will be by myself, embarking on a new adventure. The tuition is paid, my lodging is set. Everything is in place (well, I haven’t quite started packing so there is that…) and I only need to go, to experience, to savor. Every morning I am reminded that this is a gift to myself, that I am finally allowing myself to follow a dream and be carried by the flow of a new adventure in life. Even beyond the pastry training period, I know that there’s no need to worry. Life has shown me time and time again, that I am supported.
I got this question the other day: How are you able to take such a bold step, leaving a life of stability to pursue something more creative?
It wasn’t a small change, mind you, but a potentially life-altering decision. I resigned from my job and I’m now getting ready to move temporarily to another continent, knowing absolutely no one there. And yet, it doesn’t feel scary to me. It feels exciting, not anxiety-inducing, because I tend to imagine good things that could happen while I am there.
This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. It actually took me months to be ready. I checked in with myself every day, asking if I still wanted to go forward with this. I’d often tell myself, “You know, there’s still time to back out”, but after listening to the answer, I knew I didn’t want to. I wanted this experience.
The key for me to making this leap with excitement rather than fear lies in the practices I’ve built over the years. These habits didn’t just prepare me for this adventure; they’ve transformed how I view life itself.
Daily Practices That Helped Me Prepare
Meditation: For over two years, I have meditated daily each morning. This practice quieted the negative thought patterns in my head and helped me cultivate a sense of peace and clarity. Mediation made space for my inner voice – the one encouraging me to take this leap- to be heard.
Gratitude: Gratitude became my foundation. Each morning I’d feel thankful for the simplest things as soon as I opened my eyes. At night, I’d recount the good things that happened during my day, letting myself bask in appreciation for these experiences, no matter how small and insignificant they may seem. For instance, just being thankful for having a sunny day, or having the ability to walk outside (things we normally take for granted) had an immense impact on my mood.
My gratitude journal with coffee first thing in the morning.
Openness to New Experiences: I made a conscious choice to remain open to things. When opportunities came along, I didn’t automatically say “No” to them, even if they seemed to not be my cup of tea, on the surface. In fact I leaned into them, knowing that I could enjoy a new experience, I could meet new people. I accepted invitations and discovered little nuggets of information or delightful experiences along the way. These small acts of openness taught me that life often loves to surprise us in the best ways when we’re willing to say yes and give it a chance.
Mindfulness: I’ve practiced mindfulness to stop myself from ruminating about the past, or worrying about the future. When I caught my thoughts in a negative spiral, I’d pause, breathe, and focus on five physical things around me. Mindfulness became easier when I surrounded myself with beauty and nature. Over the years, I made our home a sanctuary, filled with plants, a space where birds visit, and places you can walk to and connect with the world.
Walking: Walking has become one of my favorite pastimes. In fact, I walk around our neighborhood twice a day, around a path my partner and I have affectionately labeled “The Loop”. It allows us to notice our surroundings, feel connected to our neighborhood, feel grounded, and sometimes find clarity when we’re pondering some problem at work. It also becomes quality time for us to have conversations while being outside and appreciating the place we live in.
One of the many beautiful sunsets I have enjoyed in my lifetime.
Protecting My Energy
Limiting Social Media and News Consumption: one of the most impactful changes I made was tapering down my social media usage in the past five year.s I noticed how “doom scrolling” left me feeling anxious and disconnected. I also stopped paying attention to traditional news outlets. The news we get now is designed to evoke fear and worry, often sensationalizing events as it causes more people to tune in. By stepping away, I freed up mental and emotional space to focus on what brings me peace and joy. Without someone constantly telling you that the world is a terrible and dangerous place, I can focus on more positive aspects of my journey.
Realizing We Are Spiritual Beings: I am coming to understand that I am a spiritual being having a human experience, not the other way around. This shifted my perspective entirely. We are meant to experience more joy, more laughter, more love. Life is not meant to feel like a constant grind, despite what society tells you; it should flow with ease and delight.
Why It’s Worth It
By cultivating these habits, I’ve shifted from a mindset of fear and doubt to one of curiosity and excitement. When I imagine my future, I see opportunities for growth, learning, creativity and connection. Taking this step feels as natural as breathing for me, it’s the next step to the life I’ve been building. The life that I want to build is a life rooted in joy, love, and laughter.
For anyone thinking about a bold move for their future, my advice is — trust yourself. There is no one that would know the next step for your life, but you. No one else knows your journey. Build habits that can tamp down that noise from the external world and allow you to tune into your inner voice. Allow yourself to be open to joy, beauty, and love that life has to offer and live the life of your dreams.
The Wren's Journey 