Lately I’ve been grossly happy. Cant-stop-grinning-at-people-on-the-street happy. I have a sneaking suspicion that it’s partly due to this amazing weather Portland’s had the last couple weeks, but there’s also something more.

I’ve always been the kind of person who plans. Excessively. Today I was joking with an interviewer about making lists of my lists- without exaggeration! I am very much someone who needs a roadmap and a set of tasks to get me there – until a few weeks ago, when I threw a serious wrench in the works.

Leaving my job was a huge decision, not lightly made after months of soul-searching and yes, pro-con lists. I expected the eventual panic of “what am I doing with my life?!” to set in, but so far have been pleasantly surprised that it has not. Instead, I’m learning to live in the now- to enjoy my time, my work, my friends and family. I’ve been able to think very deeply about who I am, what motivates me, and what I need to be happy. I’ve been thinking in terms of the bigger picture, rather than focusing on the little things that used to get me down.

And I’ve been ridiculously happy.

I created the image above to remind myself of this feeling.

Thank you for reading!

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