11 months ago to the day I was in Hawaii with my boyfriend. We were talking about our future and what we wanted our lives to look like. It was the first time in a long time that I really thought about what I wanted. My whole life every decision has been made by committee. The voices in my head would weigh what I wanted with what would work best for my family, friends, coworkers, even the forces in the universe before I could make a decision. In that moment when I was able to silence the voices and hear my true voice I knew that I wanted to live by the beach, be truly creative and simplify my chaotic life. So did my boyfriend, I thought. Until we got back to LA and, like a moth to the light, he moved on to different goals and our ideal life was no more. I tried to reinvest in his new dreams and told myself it was best for both of us to not make waves. But once I listened to what I wanted I couldn’t go back to decision by committee, so “our” ideal life became mine. I pick up the keys for my new place by the beach this evening.