⏳ Erebus Growing | 0035 - When is it time to leave someplace

Welcome to Erebus Growing, a weekly email where I share little snippets of life to help you change and grow into your highest life.

It’s a gorgeous September Sunday and the sun is bright in the sky.

And I’m scheduling this email and then changing and going for a walk.

This Monday is Labor Day in the United States and I’m just taking time to rest and rejuvenate because the next few months are going to be an absolute rush of time.

Some major life changes are coming and I’m both thrilled and excited and nervous and anxious and all things, but the time has come regardless.

I’m starting to lay out and execute my plan to leave this place I’ve called home for the past almost seven years. I’m genuinely excited at the potential that exists.

Anyways! It’s time for a walk! So, I’m off!

👨🏻‍💻 Meditation

How do you know when it’s time to leave a place?

It’s been quite a week for me. I finally received notice from my 9-5 about an updated job description and a resulting salary increase.

It was far lower than even the low end I anticipated.

I told myself a few weeks ago that I had set a price with myself and that if they weren’t able to meet it, I would leave.

I drew a personal line in the sand, given that I’ve been asking for consideration since November 2021.

And they failed to meet it.

Most surprisingly, though, was my lack of response. I wasn’t upset, elated, devastated, or overjoyed. It was a sense of peace and tranquility. Some mild disappointment, naturally, but minimal at best.

I sent one email as a follow up asking them to consider raising the salary to the level I set for myself.

They may decide to meet it. They most likely won’t.

But I had to ask. After all, if you ask, they can say no. But if you don’t ask, it’s definitely a no.

Back in 2016, I had a feeling. As I was walking out of Grand Central Station in New York City to meet up with a friend for dinner, I had this moment where I remember saying “I could see myself doing this.”

I could see myself living in or near the city and doing interesting things and meeting interesting people.

And just a few months later, I was gone—moving away to a little town called Oneonta in lower mid-state New York.

Only two weeks ago, I had a feeling again. A moment where I said, “I could see myself here.”

Then the news of this salary came in.

And a mentor of mine, after I talked with her about the position and lack of salary increase, said: “You’ve been thinking about leaving for other reasons too so perhaps this is the push you needed.”

And my sister texted me about something which led to us talking for a little bit about what it’s like where she lives.

And just two months ago, I signed a 7-month lease that’s up in May 2024.

I don’t think there’s a clear sign of when it’s time to leave a place.

But I also don’t believe in sheer coincidence either.

All signs point me toward the fact that it’s time to move forward—that I have learned and lived and gleaned all I am able to from this little town called Oneonta.

It’s strange to know that you’ll be leaving someplace.

How you see everything in a new light, knowing it may (or will) be the last time.

Nonetheless, let the sun shine a little brighter and illumine my life here as it will in my next home.

I’ve grown up here in so many ways, but that will be a story for next week.

📚 Inspiration and Resources
Every week we all consume content and I share my favorites here.

Read.
I get a lot of newsletters each week, but one that I always make time to read is Rich Webster’s Work Less Wednesday. It’s the one newsletter that always has good content and leads to me finding an article or looking at a new software or trying out a new strategy. Genuinely a newsletter I look forward to each and every time. Give it a subscribe here.

📓 Journaling Prompt
Journaling is one of the most important things to do when exploring our own lives. A new prompt for you to use this week is below.

How do you work through massive life changes?

Until next time, I wish you enough and send you off with love and a sense of urgency in your life.