There are many times in life when you make a personal decision that affects your life in a huge way. My life changing decision was packing everything I owned to move for an internship to southern California. Although I expected to have an amazing time things just did not quite go according to my plan.

I made this huge move to pursue what I thought would be a positive internship. What I learned through my experiences is that sometimes in life Enough is Enough. Now before you judge this statement by thinking I gave up, let me explain what I mean by this. I do not at all mean that it is right to give up in life.

I went through six months of dwelling every single day. The internship turned out to not be a beneficial experience as it was hoped to be. The job was not fun which is alright, I can live without the job being perfect however I also made a wage that was nearly impossible to live off of for essential needs. In a place of leadership, management refused to listen to real issues and solve them. Fellow employees were miserable. I did everything I could to try to get through each day. However some times I had to just accept that things were not meant to be.

But aside from those basic issues, there were some lessons I learned about life and even more about myself. For starters, I now refuse to work in an environment that lacks pride, passion, and motivation. I will step up as a leader if ever disappointed in my own. I will put my all into everything I do or it is not worth doing. When someone does not listen I will keep speaking until I am heard. If there is ever an issue in life, I will not take no for an answer.

I will never settle but will instead change direction when things go too awry. I also know to always go after my gut instinct. If there is a solution I will take my own initiative to solve those issues. But most of all I will expect the unexpected. The negative experiences I went through taught me that there are many moments in life that will not go according to plan, and that even the seemingly easiest life changes can be different then what you think they will be.

What I know now is to go after every life experience open minded. Keep on keeping on, but if things ever get to the point where they affect you emotionally, physically, or mentally reevaluate what your are pursuing. Ask yourself if it is truly benefiting you. There is no shame in discovering that something is not right for you. Only self love to realize that you have something better waiting to be found.