Celebrating one year of a happier life.

One year ago, I decided to pursue an entirely new career. I left behind a comfortable corporate job with health benefits, paid vacation days, a great pay check, and normal working hours -- I gave all of this up in exchange for a happier life. 

In my new career as a full-time yoga teacher, my life is very different, but in the best possible way. My job does not pay for my health benefits, I only get paid if I actually go to work, I make less than half as much money, and my hours are anything but normal. 

If I had to quantify my happiness level today in comparison to this time last year, I would say it has tripled. 

One year ago, I was terrified to pursue a new life. I was nervous that I might fail, that no one would want to hire me. I was scared that I wouldn't make enough money. 

I didn't want to give up a job that gave me a yearly bonus which previously paid for things like my yoga teacher training, yoga retreats, and vacations -- you know, the luxuries of life.

Most of all, I was terrified that I would begin teaching yoga full time and realize that it was not my passion. That I actually preferred my old corporate job where I taught only one or two classes a week and was able to focus on my practice. I was terrified that my passion wasn't teaching yoga, but rather practicing yoga.

Then I realized: so what?

So what if it's not my passion? So what if I don't make enough money? So what if I miss having a job that gives me a bonus?

So what?

I am educated. I am smart. I am experienced.

If things didn't work out the way that I had hoped, I could get another job. I could go back to the corporate world. I could do something else.

But guess what? It did work out. And better than I ever could have ever imagined.

I can't imagine living any other way. 

I wake up every day and I look forward to going to work. I love all of my employers. I love all of my coworkers. I love all of my students. And most importantly, I love what I do. I love every single thing about my job. 

Today, I am celebrating one year of making my own dreams come true. Of creating a life for myself that makes me happy. A life that I truly love. 

“Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there’s love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.” 
—Ella Fitzgerald

It's never too late to start over.  I hope I inspire you to take a look at your life, to take a look at your passions, and consider taking a different path in life. Taking a new path. A happier path.

Do what you love. Love what you do.

I hope that you love being alive every single day.

Love,

Julia

P.S. Do you want to read more about my experience transitioning into my new career? Check out this interview written by my good friend, Jessica Lawlor.

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At my old job, I used to be one of the last people to leave the office, so sometimes I would do handstands next to my desk at the end of the day when I wanted to take a break from doing work. Here is a picture of me caught in the act!

My old coworkers definitely thought I was some kind of crazy.

My current coworkers would think I was crazy to not do handstands at work. I know where I belong...