Well.. things didn’t quite work as planned on my recent adventure to Colorado. The mountains, fresh air, and fresh start brought me to that gorgeous state, but things didn’t go as expected. But I’m not saying it was a bad thing. As I approach my 25th birthday, I’ve learned that life is a constant battle. A battle of failure, highs, lows, great times, and some moments that leave you puzzled. But that’s the beauty of life. There’s always a new day and a new adventure waiting. The key is to always be who you are and always follow your gut.

So the biggest reason for my move to Colorado was to start my career. After doing extensive research on jobs and opportunity in the Rocky Mountain state, I decided to give it a try. I’ve always loved Colorado and it seemed like the perfect place to start a new adventure. But like I said, sometimes things do go according to plan. So after I solidified a job at a hotel so I could pay the bills, the search was on for a new career. And after nearly 2 years since graduation, I was ready to dive head first into a new profession.

That’s when I started applying for job after job after job. The phones were ringing, the emails were stacking up, and I thought I would have my “dream job” in no time. As the months went on, I had a large number of interviews. All of them went well in my opinion, but for some reason, I never got that job offer I was waiting for. I soon realized that Denver was a very very popular city and the competition was fierce. After nearly 5 months full of interviews and no new job on the horizon, I had to make a decision. There comes a time in our lives where we might have to take a step back and do what’s right. And at the time, my career was all I was focused on. So after spending hours weighing pros and cons, researching jobs, and doing some extensive soul-searching, I knew the choice I had to make.

It hurts me to say it, but that choice was moving back to Arizona. Familiarity, opportunity, and my loved ones is what really drove me back to the desert. But what really drove me was the feeling I had in my gut. That voice that tells you what is really important. That feeling that just feels right.

At the end of the day, Colorado will always be there. After researching jobs in the valley of the sun, it seemed there was a better opportunity to get my foot in the door. All I needed was that one place that would give me a chance to show my worth. And moving back to Colorado is always a possibility. In fact, I’m almost certain I’ll move back in the future. It just wasn’t the right time. Sometimes the stars don’t align, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on your dreams. It just came down to doing what’s best for my career and well-being.

So after a few interviews with some Arizona companies, I finally got the offer I’ve been waiting for. Finally, a company gave me a chance to apply my skills and grow as a professional. I haven’t looked back ever since. I kickstarted my career and I’ve learned some very valuable skills. I’ve gained some outstanding experience in the industry and the future is looking very bright.

It all comes down to following your gut. Something deep down told me that moving back to Arizona was the right step. Something told me that this needed to happen. Yeah, it sucked that I only lived in Colorado for 5 months, but sometimes life sends you signals. Life steers you in one direction, then steers you in another. But the force that steers your life is what you feel on the inside. Yeah it may seem strange to flip your life upside down and pack up and go, but sometimes taking the leap is all you need to find your true happiness. That road my have bumps, that road my have tough obstacles, but at the end of the day, if you follow your heart, life will reward you. The reward may not happen immediately, but if you keep working hard and keep a level head, those rewards could enter into your life when you least expect it.

Life may seem hard, life may seem dull, and life can sometimes be a pain. But at the end of the day, if you follow your passions, never give up on your dreams, and trust your gut, life can be one beautiful thing.