Dear Pinkies, the story you are about to read was written by Pink rockstar Amy Suh of Be Truly You. To say it’s inspirational is a big Pink understatement. Enjoy …Take it away, Amy!
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I am both proud and excited to say that the person I am today is a 180 degree change from who I was three years ago. My life before was about living for someone else, while my happiness was dependent on what I did and what I had. From the outside, it seemed like I had it all. I owned two houses at the age of 26; I was married to my high school sweetheart; I had a great job working for a company owned by Nike; and I was in control of everything that I could possibly control. I was living life and making decisions with my head and not my heart. And although I felt like I was in control of my life, in reality, I was completely out of control and had no true ownership of this life that I had worked so hard to make.
I started practicing yoga in June of 2006 – a truly life-changing experience. The yoga instructors would talk about taking care of yourself and listening to your intuition. This was something that I was not doing and to hear it over and over during my yoga practice gave me the confidence to start listening to my heart and not just my head. I started to think about what would happen if I did what I wanted … where would I be? What would I be? And who could I become? I realized that when I allowed my heart to speak, the life that I imagined was limitless.
In the course of seven months, I got a divorce and filed for bankruptcy. I lost both of my houses, my companion of 11 years was no longer a part of my life, and I was staying at a friend’s house with nothing to call my own except my clothes and shoes. The only constant during all of this was my job. I was good at my job, and it kept me busy so I was content going through the motions, day after day.
In March of 2009, I went to visit my brother in Maui. While visiting him, I realized that the lifestyle in Maui was completely opposite of my lifestyle in Seattle. I found myself at my best there, and I saw myself as truly me. After another visit, I went for a swim in the ocean before heading to the airport … and it was right then and there that I made the decision about what I really wanted in life and what would make me happy … to be able to go to the beach and swim in the ocean as often as I could. I made the decision that day that I was going to return to Seattle, quit my job, pack my stuff and buy a one-way ticket to Maui.
I resigned from my job, which was difficult. For years my job defined who I was. It was my means of income, and it was what I prided myself on. Most of the people at my company think I’m crazy, a few close friends and family are proud of me, and the rest are still in shock at my decision. I’m moving in less than two weeks to live with my brother. No job, no savings and no set plans. As scary as this may sound, I’m not scared. Instead, I am very anxious and excited for what the islands have in store for me.
I know that I don’t want another job that defines me. I just want to make enough money to get by. I want to live each day to the fullest, doing the things I love. And I want to spend my time with the people I love. And in the process of getting ready to move, I have realized that less is more. I am moving with two suitcases, no agenda, and the full intention of living the life that lives in my heart.
Aloha!
Amy
WOW, Amy. What a magnificent Pleap you are taking. Thank you for sharing your gorgeous story. Know that you embark on your journey with a whole bunch of Pink love surrounding you. Let’s send Amy big hugs and blow pixie dust under her wings.
So, Pinkies, has this started the wheels turning? What do you want – REALLY? How might it happen? What would you do if you took fear out of the equation? Looking forward to hearing from you …
Tags: Amy Suh, follow your heart, leap of faith, quitting your job, starting over, yoga
So funny…this very thought has been sticking in my head for awhile. Hawaii is where I want to be too for mental, physical and emotional health reasons. You go girl!!!!
YOU GO GIRL!!!!!
It is such a joy to see a fellow sister spread her wings. Now go and FLY FREE!!!!
En-JOY,
Jean
Fantastic PLEAP! I love it. Sometimes, you just have to do what you have to to get to a place that makes sense. I am going something similar, selling all my stuff, focusing on writing and going to Canada for 6 months to be with my sister and heal my body and soul. I am 52 so it’s more scary than it was at 26 but I reckon you’re never too old to do what your heart tells you.
Keep us posted on how it all goes.
Amy, you can do it! We believe in you. My story is similar- and maybe it will bring you some comfort. I quit my fancy six-figure doctor job (Talk about people thinking you’re crazy!). I sold my house. I moved my husband (who works for me and doesn’t bring in any cash) and my baby to the country to- uh…write a book. Then I borrowed money to launch Owning Pink. Borrowed more money to launch into the field of integrative medicine. And just kept leaping. Now, I’m borrowing still more money to launch the Owning Pink Wellness Center, which opens in April (woo hoo!)
And you know what. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done. It’s been almost 3 years since my Pleap- and now I have two books coming out this year, a blissful family life, I live in a place I love, I’ve found my tribe, I discovered my life purpose, I’m walking my path, I feel blessed by the Universe, and I”m living a life I wouldn’t change for a second, even if I know I had only months left to live.
All from one little Pleap. And all it takes is courage and the belief that you’re worth it (you are!)
You go girl, indeed! Keep us informed- and don’t get discouraged in the process. It all takes time…time for waiting and becoming, time to find your path, time to heal, time to BE. Get ready for the ride, go with the flow, and rest for a while. The rest will unfold naturally.
Pleaping with you,
Lissa
Hi Amy, Love it, love it, love it! You will do fine. I made my move from Florida, five years ago with the intention of doing my art full time, and set up my dream art gallery in Scottsdale, AZ. I did it. I just went through a rough patch but my commitment is there – to do my art, no matter what. And it’s working out. You will never be sorry that you took that leap!
Hi, Amy – This is great! Congrats and best wishes on the new avenues ahead. You will do fabulously!!