”You look so happy!”


It’s interesting hearing from people that I look so happy. I’ve had people tell me this ever since I moved out of California. When I meet people in Missouri the number one question I am asked is, “Why did you leave California?” These two things go hand in hand. Did I love California? Absolutely. I thought I was happy there, even. I grew up there and have family and friends there. The beach is a stone’s throw away and the mountains are just as close. The desert is easily accessible and the city is everywhere. Mexican food is THE BEST in California, especially in San Diego.

On the flip side, expenses are insane. My two-bedroom apartment was going to be $2500 a month, which didn’t include pet rent, utilities, cable, internet, and gas & electric. I have student loans so I was constantly in a state of financial worry, salaries didn’t increase at the rate cost of living did, and without even knowing it I was constantly stressed financially. I like to say that as beautiful as California is, when you live there it’s not often you get to enjoy it. Being where I am now, my rent on a three-bedroom is $865 a month and includes cable and internet! To top it off my gas & electric bill has never even come close to $200 where in San Diego it was often over $400.

I’m also happy because I work from home for an awesome company and LOVE what I do! It’s hard to top that from a happiness perspective. I get to travel every so often, work with top notch clients, and have a great team. I am blessed with that for sure and don’t take it for granted. I can travel more,  do more, and have a great peace of mind.

All of this affords me the opportunity to work on myself- something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. It’s happening now and that’s why if you see me and I look happy, it’s because I am. I will only get happier from this point forward too. I am gaining confidence and learning that I can achieve anything I set my mind to. We all can! We just have to trust ourselves enough and overcome our baggage long enough to take the leap.

Here’s to happy! 

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