"We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us." -Joseph Campbell

I grew up in a pretty tightly knit family. My dad was a police officer and my mom was a stay at home mom. I went to prestigious schools in my city, which was expected of me. But soon enough, everything began to fall apart, piece by piece.

My mom and dad got a divorce, I was left with only my dad and little brother in a huge home that was my mother's dream home. My mom moved back to New York, and in that moment, I knew that everything that I had planned for my life was going to change.

Something had to change.

I graduated from high school in May of 2013. I had received letters from prestigious universities offering scholarships but all of them seemed way too far out of reach. So in the fall of 2013, I began taking classes at our local community college. That's really where everyone went. It felt like a real continuation of high school, I mean, everyone there really acted like they were still there.

I went to a school for advanced studies, why was I not with my friends at UF or Stetson?

I didn't have to think about going to class, it was just a routine. The funny thing about getting comfortable is that life has a funny way of coming along and shaking the rug just a little bit to throw you off course. Life happened. I found myself two years later sitting at my graduation ceremony.

Flashback to a couple months before my graduation: I told my dad that I was thinking about transferring to UCF in the upcoming summer semester. Guess what he did? He laughed. I mean could I blame him? I've never lived alone, I didn't truly know how to take care of myself, and I had about fifty bucks to my name.

Really girl? Try again!

But I did it. I took the huge leap of faith no one expected me to. I packed up my bedroom and moved about three hours south to the luxurious University of Central Florida. I had no money, no family, no job, nothing. Talk about keeping the faith.

My first semester at UCF was very rough. I lived in Lake Claire, it was so different from home. But I was going to make the best of it. I lived off of my financial aid disbursement, I'm really not sure how I made it last. But I made a true promise to myself, if I didn't find a job once the end of the semester approached, I wouldn't come back.

The week before the semester ended, I got two interviews. I left Orlando the next week with not one, but TWO jobs waiting for me upon my return.Living on my own has taught me so much. It's taught me patience, perseverance, and the ability to trust in the path that God has laid out for me. I will always be so thankful for every struggle and rut I've been through.

To anyone out there who feels stuck, who feels like they're getting no where doing the same old routine, challenge yourself. Take that leap of faith. Find a new job, move into a new place or city, adopt a strange pet. Anything that could potentially make you happy, do it. Do it to get out of your comfort zone. You'll regret it the one day that life comes around and shakes the rug a little bit.

To everyone who has helped me along the way, thank you. Thank you for encouraging me to keep pushing for something better, even if you didn't agree with me.

"My mission in life is not to merely survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." -Maya Angelou