The past few months have been a wonderful chapter of my life, a coming home of sorts. I’m living on my own for the first time, and I really enjoy it. Even in college, I always had housemates, so this is the first time I’m truly on my own. I’ve been appreciating the independence, freedom, and peace. I’m still in the city, so while I have my own space, I’m not alone. My friends are nearby, my family is close, and over time I’ve gotten to know my neighbors and the surrounding community. As I’ve settled into this new chapter, I’ve started to fall into a new rhythm of life. 

I’m moving out of my family home. 

Aside from my four years on the East Coast for college and a few months subletting five blocks away from home, I’ve always lived with my family. For some, moving out may sound like an easy decision, but for me, it’s been one of the hardest I’ve ever made—harder than leaving tech. I wasn’t just changing addresses. I was letting go of one lifestyle for another, going from supported to self-sustaining, from being surrounded by family to being on my own. 

I’ve been noticing a trend, both those I know personally and from stories I encounter online, of people leaving tech. Perhaps it’s not new, but these stories feel more mainstream now. Hearing about them has made me reflect on my own journey and the wisdom I’ve gathered along the way, especially for friends who are considering the same path who’ve come to me for insight. With some distance from my decision, I feel I can now speak about it more holistically and objectively.

Life has been busy busy busy. The past two months have been my most successful of the year, and I’m feeling much more secure in my new career. I’m meeting new people, building relationships, expanding my network in the city, and continuing to show up for myself in this business. Looking back, I’m so glad I didn’t let fear or uncertainty hold me back. The grass really is greener!!

The past few months have been busy, thanks to an early spring rush in the rental real estate market. But last week, as my schedule lightened and I found myself with more time on my hands, my mind began to wander… With my spring semester of classes wrapping up, I imagined I’d have even more free time this summer. And as someone who loves being time-efficient, I started brainstorming ways to make the most of it. One prominent idea? Getting a part-time job… dun dun dun.

Two semesters, lots of hands-on projects, and a group of handy friends later, I officially have an Associate’s Degree in Construction!

These past few days, I’ve been filled with so much gratitude and love for life. After a much-needed restful winter, I’m shifting gears toward a busy spring—and I feel ready for it. In reflecting on the past few months, I had a simple yet powerful realization: I love my life!

Furniture Making & Woodworking

For years, I was curious about woodworking and had a feeling I would enjoy crafting with my hands. This semester, I finally got the chance to explore it through this course! Designed to prepare students for entry-level work or enhance existing skills, the class covered a wide range of topics: safety procedures, furniture design, hand and machine tools, materials identification and applications, fabrication processes, and project planning. I’m amazed by everything I was able to create in just one semester!

As the New Year rolled around, we are now in it – 2025. Many have gone back to work, ready to charge forward, make plans, set resolutions, and launch into the year with a bullish energy.

One of the biggest changes since leaving the corporate world has been the shift in my mental health. In the past, I was surrounded by self-minded people, corporate politics dominating every interaction, constant “tech talk”, and a feeling of mistrust toward management. My energy was split between maintaining my place in an industry that didn’t resonate with me and quietly nurturing dreams that felt too distant for reality. This tension built up over the years, manifesting as unhappiness, frustration, and a growing sense of misalignment with who I truly was.