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| Yep. That's me with a bad perm and a cute bunny. |
None of it.
I had been leading a carefully scripted life for nearly 30 years; dutifully marching between life’s landmarks: High School. University. Internships. First job. Graduate school. Better job.
Eventually, I even reached the halls of Congress, where I spent my days (evenings and weekends) advising high-profile public officials and candidates for office on what to say and when to say it.
I was climbing the ladder, following the plan, living the dream.
Then on November 2, 2010, Election Day, it all came crashing down. My boss lost his campaign, and I lost my job, my identity, and then, to add insult to injury, my self-esteem.
At 29, I found myself adrift, exhausted, and terribly unhappy. Soooo not part of the plan.
I treated unemployment like a bad break-up: sweatpants, West Wing marathons and frequent consultations with a pair of amateur grief counselors named Ben and Jerry. In full candor, life went on like that for several months; a death spiral of weight gain, elastic waistbands, and self-loathing.
Then one morning, I declared I was going to Europe. One month later, I boarded a plane bound for London and spent the next three months eating, drinking and backpacking my way across 12 countries. I also began writing about my adventure, starting the Bella Vita blog you’re reading right now.
My experience in Europe was life-changing. It was my own Eat, Pray, Love, but with less meditation and zero Balinese healers. My self-esteem, health, and happiness returned. And I finally started listening to my intuition -- that little voice of inner wisdom I often ignored. It gave me two little pieces of advice: (1) Move to London, (2) Write children's books.
Bella Vita chronicles my journey -- in all its beauty -- from reformed politico to children's book author. I hope it will inspire you (and dozens more like you) to listen to your intuition, live courageously, and appreciate the beauty in your own life.
Enjoy!
{Images via Elizabeth Farrar for Bella Vita}
