HOW I QUIT MY JOB :: Happy Living By Design

HOW I QUIT MY JOB AND CHANGED EVERYTHING :: I just quit my full-time job as a server – which was draining my soul – to do what I love.

Apparently this is really scary to a lot of people. I didn’t realize that. I work as an artist, writing and photography. The idea of doing something I loved everyday filled me with joy.

Bringing people food and drinks did not.

I had no idea what the future held for me, I just knew that by deciding to make a change that my life was about to change. And it has, already.

I was excited to go into the unknown. I had no plan. The only thing that I knew was that I was an artist and it was going to become the biggest focus of my life.

Serving up pasta and pinot, I was exhausted – all the time – and starting to feel miserable, especially while doing my job.

This misery was beginning to affect my creativity outside of serving, as well. I didn’t have the energy to take out my camera, or write in my journal.

Because I didn’t have much money saved, I knew losing my main source of income would be a risky move.

That was my brain talking, reason talking. In my heart – where the truth really lives – I knew when I quit it was the right time. My instinct was telling me that it was right. I have always listened to that inner voice and it has always put me on the right path.

So I gave my two weeks notice at work and began to start living as just Vance, everyday.

On the very first day that was the beginning of my new life, I was given the opportunity to be interviewed on national news as part of the network’s WorldPride coverage, about where I came from (rural Saskatchewan) and being gay. (Watch the interview by hitting the play button below.)

Being on national television on my first day was like life was giving me a bright sign that I was in the right place. The interview was an amazing experience that represented me living a life of expressing myself (and expressing myself to the entire country is a pretty good start!).

An artist once told me that when he focused on his art, opportunities just came to him. That is my plan. Already opportunities have started to come to me. I am working part-time at this magazine. I am meeting people who want to work with me. I have quit my job and am suddenly busier than I had ever been.

I love it. Almost every second of my day has become me expressing myself in some way.

With any new venture in life comes with the feeling of being uncomfortable. Most people stay away from this because they fear it. I have started to seek it out. I know that this feeling means a challenge also an opportunity. A sign of my discomfort has always been a very noticeable blushing on my face. I have always hated it ever since I was a kid.

Now this is happening to me on a daily basis – and I couldn’t love it more or be prouder. I don’t care what the outcome of trying new things is, I just know that showing up and doing it is the important thing.

Quitting my job has even improved my dating life. I recently asked a guy out on a date whom I had known for months – but took until now to ask because I didn’t think he would say yes. However, there is a newfound confidence within. I asked him out – he said yes. Our date consisted of us playing an improv game with a group of people I didn’t even know. It was very uncomfortable but also very fun. Here I am again trying something new, and yes, my face was red while acting in front of strangers.

I really didn’t care though. The whole experience made me realize how comfortable I was becoming with myself. I have a new way of living my life that has even made me more attractive to other people.

I’m still just at the beginning of my new life, but it has already been so amazing. I get to wake up and think about how I can be creative or what project I am going to work on that day. I do what I love and in turn it’s changed me into a stronger and happier person.

The proudest part of my life is when people ask what I do, and I get to say, “I am a writer and a photographer.” I get to be just Vance, everyday, and that is the most fulfilling part of my life.

– Vance Hedman is GGN’s new Editorial Assistant. Follow him on twitter @Vance_18!