I was so tired of building someone else’s dream and supporting other people’s visions. For twenty years, I have worked in various 9-5 jobs, from education, to web development. While I’ve appreciated aspects of these roles, like working from home, I was always limited by my salary. With the cost of living increasing faster than my income ever did, I worked side jobs to make extra money. So outside of my 40-hour work week, I spent my free time delivering packages for Amazon, driving for Uber, and taking on extra freelance development work. I tirelessly exchanged my valuable time for low pay; time I wanted to spend with my partner and our dog, in nature, and exploring the Colorado mountains. Instead, I spent that time miserable in jobs that I absolutely hated. I was wasting my life, going about each day with no purpose.

I lived this way for years. I was depressed, anxious, and stressed out constantly. I was stuck in a rut and my mind was going to some very dark places. Until one morning, while talking with my partner, I broke down in tears telling her how low I felt and how I couldn’t go on like this. Saying it aloud really hit home for me and I realized I needed to change my life if I wanted to keep living it. As they say, “Nothing changes if nothing changes,” and I desperately needed a change. It was time to shift my focus and decide what I wanted my life to look like.