Moving to Nashville brings new challenges and experiences. See how Deidre used her move to Nashville as inspiration for her dreams.
Written By: Deidre DeFelice
“My first few years were spent making hundreds of dollars a night waiting tables, having way too much fun dancing on bars downtown (somewhere I rarely visit now!) and making some of the best friends of my life.”
Just about seven years ago to date, I packed up everything I owned and drove 8.5 hours to Nashville, TN a week before I turned 23. I didn’t have a job or a plan or a group of friends and I can’t remember how much money I had in the bank, but I’m sure it was less than a thousand dollars. What started as a last minute random weekend road trip in January turned into a brave and risky life change just seven short months later. I don’t have any musical talents and everyone in my small Michigan hometown was convinced I’d come running back. But as it turns out, moving to Nashville was the best decision I ever made.
My first few years were spent making hundreds of dollars a night waiting tables, having way too much fun dancing on bars downtown (somewhere I rarely visit now!) and making some of the best friends of my life. When I finally decided it was time to focus on my career, I didn’t let anything stand in my way. I’m now grateful to not only do what I love every single day, but continue to have way too much fun and keep making friends who I couldn’t imagine doing life without.
My hope is to inspire you to take a risk if you’re contemplating something a little terrifying. After all, everything will stay the same if you’re never willing to make a change.
Here are three ways my life has been literally transformed, thanks to all the ways I have been #LivingTN.
1. I figured out my true passion.
After spending about $12,000 on cosmetology school right out of high school, I knew I was meant to work in the beauty industry, but I hadn’t found my exact niche, until moving to Nashville. As it turns out, I kind of hate cutting and coloring hair, but that surprisingly didn’t end up being a problem. I’m now working as the Director of Operations for The Blowout Co, where I spend my days making women feel beautiful through a killer blowout. I also get to train the stylists at all four of our salons on the styling techniques I have developed over the years. If I hadn’t moved here, I may have never figured out where I belong in the beauty industry.
“I knew I wanted to do hair, but I hated cutting and coloring. That’s where The Blowout Co. came in!”
2. I fell in love for the first time.
This is a pretty important part of life and although it took me until I was 29 years old, it finally happened while living in Nashville of course. And what I experienced after that was my first heartbreak and then dealing with getting over it. This not only taught me a thousand things about what is important to me in a relationship, but it gave me a new outlook on being single, which is pretty life changing.
“Along with experiencing love, I have discovered the coolest wall art in the city! (This is off Charlotte Ave. in the Nations)”
3. I launched a blog.
If I hadn’t gone to cosmetology school, I was going to bite the bullet and go to college for Journalism because I’ve always had a passion for writing, but I just couldn’t handle four more years of school. Through the incredible Nashville community of creative people, I’ve found inspiration and motivation to launch a blog called left to write, which is a collection of stories and articles meant to inspire. This has has led to being able to do both things I love, hair and writing! I’ve been published several times on Thought Catalog and have big plans for my writing in the future. I’m not sure that would have happened if I stayed living in my hometown.
“I typically spend Tuesday afternoons at Steadfast Coffee in Germantown. This is one of the many places I love to write.”
As you can see, I’m living proof that there is something to be said for taking a leap of faith and not being afraid to fail. I’ve had countless struggles along the way, but if I hadn’t taken that initial risk of picking up and moving on a whim, I’m not sure I’d be able to say I’m living my dream life. I owe it all to Tennessee.
xo,
Deidre
Instagram: @xo.deidre
Website: www.lefttowriteblog.com
Photography by: @pcolaberdinophoto