When I moved back to LA a few years ago, I completely downgraded my lifestyle. I opted not to return to S2 of well paying show, sold my luxury car, got a roomate, and cut my maintenance cost. I was intentional about the choices I made and I knew I’d recoup all I was giving up.

Almost exactly three years later, almost all of my debt is paid off (student loans will be done by years end), I’m selling the car I purchased when I moved, I’m in a space I love (alone) whole preparing to buy a house, and am making more than I left plus doing what I love.

One of the best pieces of advice Mara Brock Akil gave me was to live below my means.

Although I downgraded my life, I used my own skill set to ensure I wasn’t completely deprived of things I loved. Using bartering, I maintained a membership at a luxury gym and got some of my regular services like monthly facials.

I was reflecting on my own journey and in hindsight, I am so happy I did not allow the fear of losing things or the potential ego bruise that comes with downgrading a lifestyle stop me from going after something I wanted.

If something is calling you to make a change like moving across the country for a dream or quitting your job to start your own thing, listen to it. While I can’t say how long it will last, just know struggle isn’t permanent.

Cause I like to keep it transparent, had I stayed where I was at, I was predicted to come in right at 6figures at 22/23. I took an entry level job to be able to pivot into what I wanted to be doing for $25,000. Thankfully, I had ways/skills to subsidize my income.

A temporary downgrade of lifestyle was worth the risk of possibility for me.