One of my favorite sayings goes, “The harder I work, the luckier I seem to get.”
I’ve thought of it often as I embark on a totally new, risky, amazing phase of my life: quitting my stable, full-time job, selling all of my stuff, and hitting the road to pursue creative passion projects.
Over the past fifteen years, I’ve had a friend or two suggest that the opportunities I’ve gotten were available to me only because of my age, location or looks. While I undoubtedly experience white privilege and humbly acknowledge my staggering good looks fortune in being born to a nice, middle class family in New Jersey, I’m always saddened when people see it this way.
Following my heart has taken everything I have, and even some things I don’t have – yet. Getting to the pot of gold at the end of the dream rainbow is sweaty, scary and sometimes bittersweet business. So scary, in fact, that the only way to calm my [project manager] nerves is to discuss it in –oh my god I’m so excited– graphical format.
Getting a divorce.
Going to therapy. For two and a half years.
Going back to (and finishing) grad school.
Getting dumped. …Twice.
Experiencing an earth-shaking epiphany and changing my entire lifestyle [to veganism].
A lot of sweating. So much sweating. Too much, really.
Setting boundaries and having difficult conversations with people I love.
Asking for help (accountability partners).
Letting go of friendships that emptied my tank so I could cultivate ones that make my spirit soar.
Exploring all things woo-woo without caring what others thought.
Telling someone how I really felt about them. …And having them not return the feeling.
Believing I was worthy, and already had, all of the joy and love I’d always wanted.
Quitting my stable, cushy job to pursue creative passions.
Moving to a 350 square foot apartment.
Leaving said apartment and getting rid of [nearly] all my possessions.
Slashing my spending by 80%.
Consistently saying yes to things that made me want to hide in a corner – like meeting new people.
Stopping to question Every. Single. Negative thought and asking, “Is this true or is this a story?”
Letting go of the belief that anyone else’s opinion of me has anything to do with me.
As you can see, NONE of these things was easy, or pleasant, or preceded by 100% assuredness. There will never be a “right” time to do something that scares you. But the universe doesn’t care how old or young you are, how over or under qualified. When it sees someone taking risks to follow their heart’s calling, it will take note, and oftentimes instantaneously, step in and give you whatever you need – even when you’re not sure what that is.
So, whaddya say? Are you ready to do what it takes in order to achieve your dreams, even if that includes the “impossible”? Your heart is a badass and (s)he just might require that of you.
(Pssst…you know I can’t resist linking to my latest video!)
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What has following your heart looked like for you? (…Does anyone want to hide under this blanket with me? I brought Wheat Thins and Chao cheese.)
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Go Jules Go 
I applaud you (and your heart) for your bravery. I might have been willing to chuck it all and hit the road when I was younger. Now? I’m upset if one of my HBO series is cancelled. But I shall live vicariously through you and cheer your journey. Onward Jules! The future is bright…
Bring your sunglasses.
We should partner up and do a graph of “How I Really Feel When My Shows Go On Extended Hiatus.”
I still haven’t gotten over them cancelling Carnivale. And that was 2005!
I absolutely love this: Stopping to question Every. Single. Negative thought and asking, “Is this true or is this a story?”
I’m following my heart and hopefully gently pushing myself (and my big sis) down that path to soar even higher. It’s all about raising your vibration and cutting out the toxic crap for once. And I have one thing to say to you as you embark on this journey — BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! YOU GOT THIS!!!
Thank you, LS!!!! Can’t believe we’ll be pressing some tofu in ONE MONTH (boy that gets you excited for the visit, doesn’t it?)!
And how!!! Haha
Ha Ha this is awesome. Love the way you did your images. Funny and all, those obstacles are some hard ones to face and power to you for putting yourself in those uncomfortable moments that definitely lead to self growth. That sweating one – too funny.
Thank you so much! I think I’ve gotten better at TELLING myself the fear is a good sign if you can still ‘do it anyway,’ and I’m gonna call that progress 😉
Hold on… Where’s the place on this scale for “I just quit my job to live the life I REALLY want?!” I want all these painful decisions to lead to the Victory Scale, which contains at leeeeast 1) you grinning widely or 2) standing on top of a mountain with your hands outstretched in the god-damn-it-Instagram-sucks pose!
I’m waiting until I have pictures from Bend to compile my victory scale. PowerShop actually froze and shut down when I tried to make one without them.
You are my shero! And yes, I can so relate. There have been a couple of following my heart decisions that were as “easy” as yours. So not easy!
SHERO. How have I never heard this term?! I think we both need to rename our blogs…
I thought about it, but after having kids it seems that only kid- and family-friendly dreams are allowed to be pursued to the full extent, and it seems leaving or selling your family in pursuit of non-family-related dreams is frowned upon. So I’ll just keep half-assing it as I always have.
Have you considered reframing this and thinking of it as giving your full attention to half-assing it? See? CRUSHING IT.
I haven’t considered it, but I suppose for the same reasons I would not be able to give full attention to half-assing either. In other words, I’d end up half-assing the half-assing it, which, unless my math is off, will result in quarter-assing it.
Hey Jules, Really loved every bit of it. So real and you used so simple words to express your feeling rightfully. It was flawless.
You are so lucky to follow your heart. It needs courage and strength.💓
Rita, I’ve read this comment several times over and it warms my heart even more each time. THANK YOU.
I am going to say what many other of your faithful blog followers are thinking, but are too kind to say. You should rename this blog entry to “What it really means to follow my fart”. You look like you have or are about ready to fart in every one of those pictures. If you haven’t already, think of the relief!
Love your blogs. Forgive me.
BLAST you figured out the secret behind 97% of my photos!!!!!
Ooooooo… You expelled that pun nicely!
This comment made me shart, I mean, snort!
The Law of Attraction again! I love it when you get back to this.
Scott
I’m giving you a solid fist pump right now, Scott! (I think California got to me…)
I am going to go put on my hanging bedazzled mustache glasses and meditate. You have spoken to my heart once again from far away. Thank you. Be well.
Did it help?? I need to try that before I donate all of my stuff to Good Will this weekend, heh And, thank YOU.
Sunstaches helped… I mean maybe it was more the meditation… but I don’t think so. It’s good to remember you are not alone sometimes. Rhinestones for the win!