The Epiphany Moment
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The Epiphany Moment – Floreta Cui from Matt Cheuvront on Vimeo.
I am part of Matt Chevy’s Life Without Pants project, The Epiphany Moment! Check out the other videos on his website.
I recorded this video 5 months ago and it’s funny what can happen in nearly half a year:
- I got fired from a job that I hated. I was planning to quit anyway, due to my travel plans, but they fired me a month before I had planned to throw in the towel. I have never gone into detail of this moment in my life because I didn’t want to write about my work life in a negative manner. The situation is far enough removed from my life now that I feel I can elaborate more. As a graphic designer, my career path has been shaky. I felt that I wasn’t utilizing my degree and wasting away in a dead-end job worst than Kinkos. It’s a bit like designing the Yellow Pages, except I was “designing” hospital forms. In addition, I was managing a one-woman print shop for a good portion of a year before the company hired on an assistant. I learned administrative duties, bookkeeping and customer service; I did it all, but as a graphic designer, I felt I was severely lacking on portfolio building work. In retrospect, I am glad to have had the experience because as often is the case in the corporate world, it helped set me up for my next stage in life as I attempt self-employment.
- I made a (more or less) career switch. I am now self-employed, and loving it! I am a social media writer/blogger updating Twitter and Facebook accounts and blogging for company accounts. I don’t consider myself “successful”, in the traditional sense of the word. I make enough to sustain myself in Asia but less than half the amount I made at my previous job. I see myself less as an “entrepreneur” and more as a “hustler” at this stage of my career but as soon as I can get more clients things may change. I’d love to tie this all back with my design skills somehow, but right now, I’m enjoying my time as a writer.
- I moved to Asia. I didn’t end up volunteering in the Himalayas of India like I had mentioned on the video. Last minute organization changes with my volunteer program had me placed in and around New Delhi, India, but I have loved every second of it. I currently live with my family in Cebu, Philippines. I’m not sure what I’m hoping to get out of this whole experience, specifically, but that’s the fun in the journey. I hope to travel to other Asian countries during this year, but have no formalized plans. I hope to live a sustainable, location independent freelance career by the end of the year, and have enough money/income by the time I return to the states to move to San Francisco (ish), California!
If you can follow your heart, you can do anything, and I am proof of that. Dream big, and live the life you want, right now!
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10 Responses to “The Epiphany Moment”
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It’s pretty incredible how similar our stories are. I too was fired from a job (that I was planning on quitting) – I too am now an entrepreneur (and I love every minute of it) – the only thing you have on me is the whole moving to Asia piece – which is a pretty huge and awesome leap for you.
One of the most amazing things is looking back and seeing how much has changed for each of us, even in the 5 months since these were initially filmed. It’s crazy how much we really accomplish without even knowing.
Thank you so much for being a part of this – I love the way it has come together and hope that people will continue to add their stories in the future. Cheers and have a great day!
Thanks for stopping by, Matt and all your encouragement through your community, project, and comment here
Love what you do. 
It was a pleasure!
Aw, I love your voice! It’s very pleasant.
“I see myself less as an “entrepreneur” and more as a “hustler” at this stage of my career…”
Haha, I love that!
Great blog, great vlog! Thanks, Floreta.
.-= Kristan´s last blog ..On laughing, and doing things backward =-.
hehe you always say that after all my vlogs
i like the perspective you have on hustler/entrepreneur… Not sure if I love it atm.. lol. I’d rather be more of an ‘entrepreneur’ because hustling is all about whether you’ll sink or swim!
Great vlog. That Anais Nin quote really hits home. Not everyone feels that in their lifetime – I think those of us who do feel are lucky, despite the challenging path ahead.
.-= Keith´s last blog ..4 Ways to Escape the Tourist Bubble =-.
I never thought of it, but it’s true. Not everyone does feel that in their lifetime.. how sad! I do feel very lucky and ready to accept the challenges!!
I am absolutely fascinated with the way our life changes. I was recently asked in an interview that someone did of me and my blog, “Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years.” I had a lot of ideas professionally and personally but I ended up saying this:
“It’s interesting because I have a lot of aspirations and I would consider myself motivated, but currently, my life is very moment to moment. I’m learning, loving, laughing and thoroughly enjoy working at a startup. I also know that life is filled with surprises, so I could list off what I see for myself in the future, but right now, I’m excited to see what it has in store.
I will say that in 5 to 10 years I hope to continue to work hard, play hard and love hard.”
It’s awesome to hear how much has changed for you. Keep living and loving
.-= Grace Boyle´s last blog ..Happiness Is Movie Screening =-.
thanks for your comment and stopping by!! i would say as long as you work hard, play hard, love hard no matter what you do then you’re doing well for yourself
i think the details of “what do you want to be when you grow up?” are focused on too much sometimes, and what people should REALLY focus on is the work ethic.. my life is SO moment to moment always.. and i have an even NEW career development that will shift my life in a completely new direction that i never had thought for myself! i’m excited to see where this takes me… [i WILL be blogging this later!]
living by the seat of my pants
my style.
This is awesome! It’s amazing where five months can take you, and I love that you’re paving a way for yourself in the freelance area. Really, it’s inspiring, and I hope I can follow in your footsteps as a full-time freelance photographer and maybe blogger by the end of the year!
.-= E.P.´s last blog ..Two-car family =-.
i hope i can keep following my footsteps and be a fulltime freelancer too!
actually just got a freelance job offer handed to me in an entirely new field i never previously thought of for myself ever.. yet i still want to continue my blogging and whatever other freelance I can get from my photography/design skills… i’m going to be a workaholic!