For the longest time, I've done some things because they were practical or because I needed to. They were things I didn't really want to do, but I thought I could still do the things I wanted anyway. Recently, I accepted the fact that this wasn't going to happen. So I needed to make a change.
When I graduated from college got a job as a media planner. This job was full-time plus overtime. And I didn't have much mental energy for anything else while I was working there. I worked on music after work, but I could only put a couple hours in on some days. I didn't like that so much of my life was spent on things I didn't care about.
So I had to take a big step and resign. I turned in my 2 weeks and haven't regretted it at all. I was afraid I would look back and think, "oh no, what did I do?" But I never did. I have enough savings to not work full time. I've also done some side task work for extra money. Otherwise, I spend almost all of my time on music, and I love it. I've written more songs, I'm more consistent with my blogs, I have a YouTube show, and I have time to perform again!
Part of this journey was leaving New York. I'm now living in Philly - my hometown. There were plenty of people to stay in NY for. But for music opportunities, it didn't make the most sense. Everything in the city was closed. There was no live music or in-person networking events. And the expense became too much to be worth it.
The last thing I wanted in my life was to be stuck at a job I hated for 30+ years. I'm uncertain of how all of this will work out for me in the long run. But at least I can say that I gave it my best effort. I'm putting in all my energy now, so I won't have any regrets later. And I don't have to be as famous as Beyoncé or Rihanna to be happy. I'm good the way I am now. But if I am, I'll be ready for it.