My Life in Florida
If you asked me in January of this year if I would ever move out of Florida/stop working for Disney, my answer would have been a firm no. Being able to lay by the pool, get pixie dusted in Fantasyland, and grab a Mickey ice cream bar all before work seemed like more than a dream come true for a sunshine & Disney loving soul like myself. And to tell the truth, I needed to make that move and take that job to avoid a lifetime of "what-ifs."
Ten months later, I'm no seasoned Floridian or even Disney Cast Member, but I'm not naive either. I've seen things you wouldn't even dream of, and been yelled at in languages I didn't even know existed. Working for Disney is the farthest thing from magical, but it's also incredibly rewarding. But rewarding as it is, it's mentally, physically, and financially draining. I'm at a point in my life where I crave stability. Stability in my job and the hours I work; stability in my personal finances; and stability in my health. And unfortunately Disney was keeping me from all three of those things. Working odd hours seven days of the week is difficult mentally. I could never plan in advance, it was difficult to fly home to see friends and family (even for big events/holidays). I like having a routine, actually I love it, and routine is something that just doesn't happen when you don't know your work schedule more than two weeks out.
Similarly, living on a Disney salary is difficult. Granted I spent more than I care to admit on theme park food and souvenirs, but when I broke down my paycheck and examined my spending habits, I realized it wasn't just that I was paying for over-priced bottles of water, I simply was not making enough for the job I was doing. After talking to friends and co-workers, I realized that my future with Disney was bleak financially. Cast members who I respected and admired for their hard work were barely making ends meet after 5-10 years with the company. And co-workers with young kids and spouses were constantly stressing about being able to pick their kid up from soccer or make it to that family dinner. It wasn't difficult for me to realize that living that chaotic lifestyle was not for me long-term.
Moving to Florida was honestly one of the easiest things I've ever done. My job, apartment, and friends fell into place largely thanks to Facebook. The people I've met, the things I've learned, and what I've done have helped shaped me as a person more than any other chapter in my life, and for that I will be forever grateful. Growing up and even during my time at Penn State, I felt an unspoken pressure to conform to those around me. It was never drastic changes, but small every day things that made me just a little bit less of who I really am. In Florida, I suddenly realized that those little sacrifices I had been making my whole life were no longer necessary. If I wanted to be a little weird or a little lazy, I could and never think twice about it. That little lightbulb is the single most liberating realization I didn't know I was looking for.
Looking to the Future
When I realized it was time for me to leave Florida, my first instinct was to move home to Philadelphia. I think for every early twenty-something struggling to find their place, moving home is always the default when confronted with a cross-road decision. But it didn't take long for me to remember that living at home is hard too. Yes, you save money and the simple comfort of being in a familiar place with familiar people is sinfully enticing, but it's also stifling. I grew up, went away to college, and moved 1,000 miles away for a job; I'm no longer the girl who fit perfectly into her hometown lifestyle. The truth is, what I'm looking for and what I want to accomplish is not possible at home.
My mind then quickly jumped to my two favorite cities: New York City and Washington, DC. Both full of college friends, job opportunities, and the exciting unknown. I brushed up my resume, fired off countless e-mails, and waited. I want to make it clear that this was not an easy process. Moving to a new city with still relatively little work experience and a less than clear career path is near impossible. You have to be good, relentless, and patient.
Luckily my resume landed in the hands of the owner of a boutique catering company who hired me as her event coordinator. I'll be planning parties on Capital Hill and weddings in Virginia. I have creative freedom when it comes to social media, blogging, and Pinterest, some of my favorite things! I can't say how excited I am but it honestly doesn't even seem real yet!
There are so many people to thank for getting me to this point in my life but I cannot thank my mom enough for all she has done for me. She was there when I was so lost and feeling alone, and she not just comforted me, but took it upon herself to help me find my happiness. My mom has always been my best friend and I know I would not have half the opportunities I have been given in life without her.
I know this move is somewhat unexpected and a big change from the life I had in Florida, but it's a much needed one. Being so far away from home was admittedly more difficult than I originally imagined, and let me be the first to tell you, Florida is nothing like the Northeast. I'm excited to experience the seasons again and be just a short train ride home to my family. The majority of my friends from childhood through college will be within a few hours, and a few of my friends are just a couple of subway stops away. But more than anything I am excited for life in the city and everything Washington, DC has in store for me.
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