Monday, July 6, 2009

Miss Independence Day

I started thinking a lot about what Independence means, over the weekend as I watched the fireworks from my rooftop in San Francisco. Our country has been and has been going through so much. Which led me to appreciating when I too got my own independence. If you’ve been reading my blog, then you know that I left a very serious relationship and moved to San Francisco from L.A. My independence began as soon as I broke away from my old life and started again in a new city. It was one of the hardest and most worthwhile decisions I ever made.

Some of the things were:

I changed careers to what I was interested in; advertising and marketing.

When I became comfortable in my own skin, I started writing and realized I had a lot to share with others.
I rediscovered my love for ballet and began dancing again at the age of twenty-eight.

I dyed my hair different colors. (So far my favorite is red!)


Music became the soundtrack to my life when I discovered all different kinds of artists like: Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, Imogen Heap, Marvin Gaye, Bill Evans and Gary Go.

How did you declare your independence and what decisions did you make?

13 comments:

Char said...

I guess I was raised to be very independent and strong by my father (and mother). He always told me the only person you can depend on is yourself so I've tried to make my own way.

Wallflower Diaries said...

Great post. I'm working on mine as we speak. Just put in my first bit of savings into my moving fund in the bank. It wasn't that bit but, it still felt good to do. Like a step into the right way.

Joy said...

Great post. My independence was sort of forced on me. My "first love" broke up with me in college and it forced me to figure out who I was and what I wanted. It took a very long time, but I finally started making my own life decisions, the most important of which was to go to law school. I am incredibly grateful now that my ex had the courage to let me go so that I could become the independent, happy woman I am today.

Dollface said...

Moved into NYC, got an apartment, got a new job, new attitude on life, got rid of toxic people and fell in love... xxxooo

Laura said...

Char: Such great advice and when its right leaning on the right person can change your life as well! Thanx for your comment Char.

Laura said...

Pink Peony: Doesn't savings seem to change everything. I felt the same way. Shoes or savings was always the question =)

Thenis0307: How wonderful that you can take that step back and see the change. So proud of you for going to Law School. Wow!

Children of the 90s said...

I really like this post. I suppose I could say I declared my independence by not taking a teaching job after majoring in education and instead trying to realistically think of what I would like to do day to day. I moved across the country by myself, which was pretty scary but definitely was worth it in the end.

I agree with you--starting again is really difficult but worthwhile. It's one of those things that you have to know is good for you even though it's rough at first.

Pretty Zesty said...

Wonderful decisions! I definitely want to write more, and once I get out of this vacation mode I would love to write children's books and illustrate them myself.

Jennifer said...

I'm pretty independent, however, I do struggle with follow through. I'm working on mine - with a husband and a one-year-old in tow! LOL!

I suppose the first sign of independence for me was when I majored in theater in college - a pretty fruitless pursuit, according to most of my family. Then moving to NYC all by myself. Then booking an awesome musical. Then replying, "Yes, I'm still doing that acting 'hobby-thing'" when I'm asked by relatives.

Congratulations on your new beginnings. Especially in SF - I grew up in the bay area. There's no place like it. :-)

ALFIE said...

went to nursing school.

starting taking pictures again.

wore more dresses.

Claudya Martinez said...

I decided at a very young age to trust myself.

CAKE Creative Co. said...

you go girl! moving to san fran will definitely open up new horizons for anyone needing a change. i grew up an only child, so i've always been an independent spirit... it's only now that i'm married that i've learned to become dependent on someone else. love will do that to you i guess.

MS said...

Wow, I am always in awe of ppl who move to a new city, start a new career and so on. My independence...I did move across the country at age 18 (but I had some family here), I flew to thailand by myself and met my friends in Phuket last year...I know thats not life changing but it felt good...gosh thats a good one. I'm going to think about this.