Five years ago, I agreed with my husband to spend our California house downpayment fund on renovating his late mother's house in Montana, then moving there despite the lack of a decent Chinese restaurant in a 7-hour radius (I wish I was kidding). My parents thought I was insane, most of my friends thought I was insane. In the immigrant Asian community, moving to a random small city not on the coast is something you only do because you need to go to school there temporarily, certainly not as a potential forever home.
That decision changed my life for the better, though. Yes, I miss the food and shopping and diversity that I left behind, but I also gained friends who live 10 minutes away, no traffic, a beautiful house that feels calming to stay inside instead of wanting to escape outside, and the security of knowing that I could quit my job if I really wanted to and still afford to live happily.
Leaving the firm where I knew I would make partner to go to a different firm where I had zero such guarantee, and had to rebuild everything from scratch - in the year when I was supposed to make partner at the first firm. Biggest risk I have ever taken by far, and also the biggest reward, in many many ways. I did end up making partner, but more importantly, I was forced to learn to trust myself, and now I do.
Ahh I can imagine how scary that must have felt at the time. What you said - "learn to trust myself and now I do"...what a rich reward!! Thank you for sharing.
Deciding to take on 6 figure student loans for grad school after:
-being completely debt free for 5 years -building my credit score to record highs-getting a mid 5 figure limit credit card and never carrying a balance - leaving a well established home life and community
Totally worth it though. I’ve done it before so I can do it again 🤷🏾♀️
Five years ago, I agreed with my husband to spend our California house downpayment fund on renovating his late mother's house in Montana, then moving there despite the lack of a decent Chinese restaurant in a 7-hour radius (I wish I was kidding). My parents thought I was insane, most of my friends thought I was insane. In the immigrant Asian community, moving to a random small city not on the coast is something you only do because you need to go to school there temporarily, certainly not as a potential forever home.
That decision changed my life for the better, though. Yes, I miss the food and shopping and diversity that I left behind, but I also gained friends who live 10 minutes away, no traffic, a beautiful house that feels calming to stay inside instead of wanting to escape outside, and the security of knowing that I could quit my job if I really wanted to and still afford to live happily.
This is so beautiful 🩷🩷🩷
Leaving the firm where I knew I would make partner to go to a different firm where I had zero such guarantee, and had to rebuild everything from scratch - in the year when I was supposed to make partner at the first firm. Biggest risk I have ever taken by far, and also the biggest reward, in many many ways. I did end up making partner, but more importantly, I was forced to learn to trust myself, and now I do.
Ahh I can imagine how scary that must have felt at the time. What you said - "learn to trust myself and now I do"...what a rich reward!! Thank you for sharing.
Deciding to take on 6 figure student loans for grad school after:
-being completely debt free for 5 years -building my credit score to record highs-getting a mid 5 figure limit credit card and never carrying a balance - leaving a well established home life and community
Totally worth it though. I’ve done it before so I can do it again 🤷🏾♀️
Investing in one’s future is such a visceral risk—scary but often rewarding. Good for you and good luck! (I know you’ve got this 🥰)