I'm doing 14 things
Thanks to Teddy at a barbershop in San Marcos, TX, I was able to complete this goal. He hung a tie-dye hammock from the trees outside his studio for his breaks, and he let me borrow it while he cut my boyfriend’s hair.
KT's Life List
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1. jump off of a cliff into the ocean
3 people -
2. Apply "The Four Agreements" to my daily life.
1 person -
3. eat 5 servings of vegetables a day
1 person -
4. finish my art degree
1 cheer7 people -
5. learn how to do the Scorpion pose in yoga
16 people -
6. trust myself
235 people -
7. Spend the fall in New York City
2 people -
8. Raise my GPA
1 cheer532 people -
9. leave notes in library books
2 cheers593 people -
10. go up the down escalator
6 people -
11. develop a unique talent
1 person -
12. Scream from a mountaintop
1 person -
13. Be okay with simplicity
1 cheer1 person -
14. Change my body shape, stamina, and overall health with exercise
1 cheer1 person
How I did it
It made me
Aware. 
How I did it: This journey was an arduous one. It began with breaking up with my boyfriend of four years, which in and of itself (even though it was unrelated) was a very difficult thing to do. My road to financial independence included: Securing a much cheaper/less luxurious apartment Changing my cell phone plan drastically Selling my car & financing a much less expensive one Cutting out virtually every unnecessary expense For the most … Read how I did it…
It made me
Liberated 
How I did it: Moving to Austin was in the back of my mind for three solid years.I was totally prepared to move when I decided I wanted to - my only problem was a boyfriend from California who had no interest in budging. I am inclined to believe my journey was a lot more arduous than the average one, but relocating anywhere is quite a ride.For me, Austin was always one of those places that immediately felt like home. This alone gave me the grit I needed… Read how I did it…
It made me
Liberated!
How I did it: I went about this in an unconventional way. Last year, I had several jobs because I was laid off twice - it seemed like everything I got was NOT a good match. At the end of the year, I'd had my fill. I quit my job without notice (which I do not advise!) and spent the next three months REALLY looking for a position that I wanted.The trick is that you cannot accept the first job offer you receive, which feels a bit counterintuitive. Wait un… Read how I did it…
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Recent entries
After waffling for what seemed like an eternity, I’ve made up my mind. I forget even how this idea entered my mind in the first place, but it has definitely caused some struggle.
Austin has been a goal off and on for over a year now; in March, we went there just to put the idea to bed, but it only made my ambition stronger.
My boyfriend was uncomfortable with the idea of moving in the first place, so he offered a truce – move somewhere a little closer. I agreed, and his company transferred us to San Jose, California.
I found a job I like at a Veterinary clinic and his hours at work got longer…and longer…and longer. Rent was high, wages weren’t high enough. Life started to feel like a cliche Tracy Chapman song.
As I became more disenchanted with California, so did he. I think the straw that broke the camel’s back was paying over $100 for our water, trash and sewer bill – normally $10. We trekked out to Starbucks one night and wrote out the pros and cons of moving on paper napkin. The results were not surprising, but telling… his motivations were to be with me, to go to a place where we could buy a home, have a yard and raise babies; my needs felt shallow in comparison.
So here we are….we decided to make the move. He wants to finally put this dream to rest and make me happy. Some much needed financial breathing room made it possible, and now we’re looking at apartments and jobs and talking about selling all of our things. We’re both troubled by our loyalties to our companies, but I think life must go on.
It is my hope that this will settle my inner restlessness and bring about the life we were meant for – greenery and humid air, new friends, and a place of our own…a place to call home.
UPDATE
This move eventually resulted in the termination of our relationship. It’s been almost a year that we have been apart now and it was the most trying thing I have ever undergone. New people, new scenery, and new ideas have encouraged me to move on. As difficult as it has been, I have learned that there is a difference between giving up and moving on.
