How I Quit My Life – An Open Letter

Carla Coulson by Loc Boyle, I quit my life, Carla Coulson, changing lives

Moi by Loc Boyle

Dear J,

Thank you for your lovely letter and for sharing with me your hopes and dreams. I hope you don’t mind me answering this as an open letter but I figure it might be able to help others who are feeling stuck and lacking confidence.

How to make your dream come true and jump from one life to another?? Ahhh the million-dollar question.

Here goes:

I quit my life almost 13 years ago.

Amidst sobbing gulps of dissatisfaction, I found the courage to say ‘no’ to a life that was eroding my hope. Hope of a life full of emotions, excitement, adventure, meaning, and love.

I walked away from the only life I knew, my beloved family and friends and years of unhappiness to go find the right life for me.

I have had the chance to live every emotion invented, I have curled up on the bathroom floor sobbing with fear, screamed at the top of my lungs with joy, flashed danced with happiness, and had the chance to stare life right in the face to find out what is important. And life continues to surprise me.

I quit my life, Carla Coulson, changing livesMoulin Rouge Copyright Carla Coulson

I have been asked a million times how I made it happen. There have been many ingredients, time, energy, passion, persistence, learning, hard work, making mistakes but one of the most important ingredients was ‘believing’ I could do it.

If there is one thing I wish I could give to you (and all my fabulous followers) is the gift to believe in yourself and your dreams. My life change(s) happened because once I was out of mental jail (allowing myself to think I couldn’t go)  I knew just one thing, I wanted to do something that I loved. When I finally walked into a dark room and had the biggest love rush of my life I believed I could become a photographer. I am just going to say that again ‘I believed I could do it.’

I quit my life, Carla Coulson, Moulin Rouge

 Backstage Moulin Rouge Copyright Carla Coulson

I remember the first day I said I was a photographer. It kind of just slipped out. It felt strange rolling off my tongue for the first time, I was a long way off having my first story published and finishing photography school but that was what I was and wanted to be. Every time someone asked me what I did I said ‘I was a photographer,’ the more I said it the more I believed in my future.

This was the first time in 13 years that I felt proud to tell others about my profession. When I had my own business I did anything to avoid talking about this topic and instead the very first time I said the magic word ‘photographer’ I had the opposite reaction, all of a sudden ‘I was cool’!

Lido de paris Carla Coulson, I quit my life, Carla Coulson, changing lives

 Shay Stafford Lido de Paris Copyright Carla Coulson

I believed I could make it work because I trusted myself. I had a life philosophy of doing things the right way, for the right reasons and I in my old business I would never have let a client down. Now that I had a chance to do what I wanted to do with my life I was never going to let myself down. I trusted myself to do it.

I wanted this new life so badly I learnt a new craft, I made a plan, I made sacrifices, and I have worked every day to make it happen. This has taken blood, sweat, and tears (buckets of them) but it has happened. I put my trust in myself and you should put your trust in yourself.

Moulin Rouge Carla Coulson, I quit my life, Carla Coulson, changing lives

 Moulin Rouge Copyright Carla Coulson

There hasn’t been a day that has gone by that I haven’t pinched myself and thanked the universe for this new life.

If you feel you are living the wrong life take steps towards a new one. Surround yourself with your future dreams, make an inspiration board that you will look at every day with the photos you love, the direction you want to go in, the place you dream of living, the people you want to eat with, dance, and love and make your future happen.

moulin rouge, carla coulson, backstage moulin rouge, paris, showgirl, cabaretBackstage Moulin Rouge Copyright Carla Coulson

I continue to believe that all is possible if you make a plan, believe it, implement it and work at it every day, your dreams will come true.

Believe in you, trust yourself and the rest will happen.

“It’s difficult to believe in yourself because the idea of self is an artificial construction. You are, in fact, part of the glorious oneness of the universe. Everything beautiful in the world is within you.” Russell Brand

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P. S. If you would like a little help reconnecting to something that sparks your joy, you can download my free Reawakening your Lust for life PDF here.
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Vanessa Larson
10 years ago

Thank you for this post! I quit my job in December to start over and go back to school. You’re right – I just had to believe in myself!

Carla Coulson
10 years ago
Reply to  Vanessa Larson

Brava to you Vanessa I am so happy for you x

Haley
10 years ago

Oh how this tugged at my heart (and oh the tears)! Thank you, thank you for this letter. Feeling stuck with lack of confidence has become my regretful tag line since starting my new life away from almost everything (and everyone) I once knew. I’m often paralyzed with fear and searching aimlessly for direction, but in reading your letter I realize I’ve been looking in all the wrong places. The line that got me most was the one about never letting yourself down, and thus far I’ve failed to truly believe in myself first and foremost. Why it is so hard to do is beyond me, but for this beautiful prayer of a post, I thank you with all my heart.

Carla Coulson
10 years ago
Reply to  Haley

Haley I am so excited my post redirected your belief back to the only one who can make it happen YOU! I am so happy my words have helped xx

Catherine
10 years ago

I loved this. I’ve quit my life a couple of times and have always known – even though it often seemed otherwise – that I was going forward. I think it gets harder to reshuffle as you grow older, and certain things still scare me, but the most essential thing is honesty with oneself. Truth with the soul! Thanks for this xcat

Carla Coulson
10 years ago
Reply to  Catherine

Absolutely Catherine if we cannot be 100% honest with ourselves we will never be able to move forward……trust the soul love it xxx Carla

Rupert's Mum
Rupert's Mum
10 years ago

Very timely as I find myself at a career crossroad. Good food for thought.

Carla Coulson
10 years ago
Reply to  Rupert's Mum

Good luck Rupert’s Mum I hope you make the right decisions for YOU x

Lynn Taylor
Lynn Taylor
10 years ago

What a beautiful post, so inspiring! I’ve wanted to quit my life for a really long time, too long, your words may just be the catalyst. Thank you so so much for sharing xx

Carla Coulson
10 years ago
Reply to  Lynn Taylor

Lynn start planning it is NEVER too late for happiness and fulfilment xxCarla

Lynn Taylor
Lynn Taylor
10 years ago
Reply to  Carla Coulson

Thank you Carla, what a beautiful Spirit you are!

lula
10 years ago

I have been reading your blog for couple of months and I want to send you congrats for your fine work and especially for your honesty and encouragement in finding one’s own voice in life. I am now in the moment of a life change and sometimes I feel “is too late to start a new career”, but I keep telling myself is never too late, so thank you for this post and the best of luck to all of those in the same situation!

Carla Coulson
10 years ago
Reply to  lula

Dear Lula,
Firstly thank-you for your kind words on my work this really means so so much as every time someone compliments me it reminds me of why I love what I do even more 🙂 In life we have one short chance so my belief it is never too late to grow and learn and be happy, follow your heart you never know where it will take you xxx Carla

Barb Smith
10 years ago

Always an INSPIRATION Carla !!!!!
Barb

Carla Coulson
10 years ago
Reply to  Barb Smith

xxx thank-you Barb

kinga
10 years ago

Today, I needed this. Thank you for being honest and candid. I always jokingly say “I quit my life”…but now I realize that perhaps there is a deeper consciousness in me that is not-jokingly telling the truth…perhaps we should all, to some extent, quit our lives. Circumstances can be changed…Continue making “it” happen! You are inspiring!

Carla Coulson
10 years ago
Reply to  kinga

Kinga so pleased I could give you a dose of Inspiration for the day…..hope you are making IT happen much love Carla x

Diane
Diane
10 years ago

Thank you.

Carla Coulson
10 years ago
Reply to  Diane

You are so welcome Diane and THANKYOU for your support x

elizabeth
elizabeth
10 years ago

Love you blog, photography and this post! Thank you so much for sharing. I found this VERY encouraging as I’m about to quit my job and move to Spain to teach and try to start a freelance writing career. Besitos!

Carla Coulson
10 years ago
Reply to  elizabeth

OOOOhhhh Eliszabeth your life is about to change I am so thrilled for you…….all my best wishes xxx Carla

Gai
Gai
10 years ago

Thanks Carla,
A great post. I quit my life 4 years ago and have never looked back. Yes,you really do have to have unstoppable self belief and I have been tested a few times. But I know I am on the right track and will always go forward.
Each of your posts inspires me to look forward
Gai

Carla Coulson
10 years ago
Reply to  Gai

Yaayy Gai keep moving forward it truly is a wonderful feeling x

sarah
10 years ago

Wow! beautiful words. Always inspiring

Carla Coulson
10 years ago
Reply to  sarah

Thank-you Sarah so happy to inspire Carla xx

Peggy Braswell
10 years ago

Thank you for your courage, spirit, in writing this piece + loved it! xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

Carla Coulson
10 years ago
Reply to  Peggy Braswell

Dear Peggy I do not feel so courageous but looking back there were some things I did and achieved that i think WOW I wonder if I would be able to have the courage to do that now!!! xx Carla
Love your support 🙂

La Contessa
10 years ago

DEAR J,
I’M DOING JUST THAT RIGHT NOW!CLOSED MY SHOP AND AM MAKING ARRANGEMENTS TO DO WHAT I LIKE RATHER THEN WHAT I SHOULD BE DOING!I AWAKEN EACH MORNING WITH NO STRESS!HAPPY………ITS ALL IN THE MAKING RIGHT NOW I HOPE YOU CAN PULL IT OFF TOO!BEST OF LUCK. “OUR” CARLA IS A BIG INSPIRATION FOR LIFE CHANGES!JUST LOOK AT WHAT SHE HAS ACCOMPLISHED!SHE EVEN SPEAKS CAT IN FRENCH!
HANG IN THERE AS THEY SAY IN ITALIAN “PIANO PIANO”.
XXX

Carla Coulson
10 years ago
Reply to  La Contessa

Do what you love Contessa so happy for you xx

Colleen for Swede
10 years ago

It was great to hear your candid comments on your life. I felt I was living someone else’s life for a long time not mine. I think the biggest reason for all of us to linger too long in our old lives is money. To quit one life and start a life you are passionate about takes financial resources. The only gals I know who did that had husbands to pay all their bills. You can be very committed and confident about what you want in a new life but without resources, it becomes another failure. I started slowly taking baby steps to make sure I could pay cash for everything in my new business while keeping my old one. Can you do a post on the financial aspects of changing lives? I know this would help many women.

Carla Coulson
10 years ago

Dear Colleen,
Great to hear from you and your comments are so relavent. Financial planning is such an important part of making the transition and I hope to share my experiences with all my readers in the future…thank-you for your comments Carla xxx

emily @ Town And Country Shuffle

What a great post Carla. I read the book you sent me about your “new life” in Italy in 3 days because I couldn’t put it down… Here is another great quote I came upon: “not all who wonder are lost”

warm regards from New York
Emily @ TownAndCountryShuffle

Joe Chapman
Joe Chapman
10 years ago

Carla:

That is a great letter, open or private or printed on a billboard in Las Vegas. It’s also personally amusing to me because in a sense I went in reverse.

I began woking professionally as a shooter in 1960 at a tender age and I have never enjoyed anything so much since, not that there haven’t been good times. I put up the cameras in 1970, two years after Martin Luther King was killed. I was burned out. I stayed in the news trade and retired a while back.

My wife of 38 years and I have chosen our joint paths so that we could work to live, not live to work as drudges and the result was that work and life intersected a lot. Your work is stimulating and gorgeous.

Keep living well and photographing for the sake of your life.

Best

j

Denise
Denise
10 years ago

My husband who is a rural GP wants to retire before 60 and work overseas, possibly Ireland. We keep procrastinating but I think after reading this post that we need to have a definite date to finish. The hardest thing is that as a solo GP, you feel that you are deserting your patient group who have supported you for 20+ years. Is it wrong to feel selfish and want to spend the next part of our life visiting our adult children who all live interstate(Australia). Boy how I miss them and we will be grandparents for the first time this Christmas. A fantastic Christmas present. I am going to make an inspiration board and maybe we can get back to Italy after many years. Thanks for your words.

jeanette
jeanette
10 years ago

To my darling Carla,
Yes you took a BIG STEP to do what you did and Dad and I are so happy for you , Francesco and Avadon.
We would wake in the middle of the night praying that you would be safe and happy missing you terribly . I would like to say to all who change they direction in life believe in yourself and tell your parents that as parents of Carla we are so happy for her that she changed hers as in this “job” she makes so many people happy and you should see the photo of Hec and I . Carla made us so beautiful I think she bought the love out in the photo.
Love always your Mother and Father xxxx0000 Hugs and kisses

Carolyn Menadue
Carolyn Menadue
10 years ago
Reply to  jeanette

Lovely, Jeanette! My daughter Felicity also followed her dream and has been living in Italy for some time. We know and love Carla, and I think my husband and I are in a similar situation to you and your husband – loving and missing our girls, but so happy that they are happy!! Carolyn x

Francesca Muir
10 years ago

Gosh I love reading your story – I feel your joy and happiness every time. Brava my friend for believing in your dreams. Take a bow and then a time step please!! Fxx

shannon fricke
shannon fricke
10 years ago

This is a beautiful post Carla…
x

Parisbreakfast
10 years ago

As always your writing is so inspiring and your mom’s comment brought tears.
Having a supportive family helps a lot.
You’re very lucky on that account.
The best thing I ever did in my life was to pick up and move to Paris.
Years of slogging away in my molehole have evaporated and turned into so much joy.
It’s hard to look back.
THANKS for putting it so well and sharing your adventure Carla!

Liz Thomas
10 years ago

This is a fantastic article! Thank you for it!

George
10 years ago

Excellent post, and so relevant to Martine and I. After thirty years in the IT industry I am chucking it in and doing what I have always wanted to do and that is to be a photographer. At the same time Martine is publishing her first book. Your post is just what I needed to today as I am having one of those periods of self doubt. I know it will pass, and all the quicker for having read this.

Thanks again.

Marina
10 years ago

Dear Carla! Can’t express how much ‘just on time’ I read your words and how important they are for me! So inspiring! Just today I was thinking may be I should drop it all apart and continue with ‘old’ job, which makes me totally unhappy… You’ve just made me confident in my new steps. I believe in myself and will go ahead! Thank you, dear!
Marina

Carla
Carla
10 years ago

Thank you for writing this. My name is Carla too, that’s how I found your site. This is an amazing post. I love this advice: “If you feel you are living the wrong life take steps towards a new one.”

Molly
Molly
9 years ago

Hi Carla !
I’m reading over your website again as I wanted to get some tips on shooting my porcelain. Yep, I’m doing it !! Initially I was totally seduced by your life, and your wonderful photos, so got myself a DSLR, but I never really “clicked” with photography. So, I decided to behave as though I was at Art School for two years – I can’t actually go as I have a very young family, but I thought I would do a range of different workshops and courses and see what I liked….
Ceramics were an old love of mine – I studied ceramics in High School. But i wasn’t expecting painting !! Cos I can’t paint !! Except I did a course with the fabulous Malini Parker, and it turns out I CAN paint- I’m actually quite good at it !!
I took a gamble and have taken on a studio with my sister, and am now working towards a solo exhibition. I’ve been feeling a bit low, because I feel my work isn’t good enough (dammit! I’ve been doing this for a year now ! Why isn’t it perfect !? 🙂 but this story really resonated with me. One step at a time. One bowl, one platter, one painting at a time. Just trust that I AM an artist and keep working !

You set my first shaky steps down this path….
thankyou !

Also, if I ever teach a summer course in Amalfi (and I intend to !) it will be because of you.

Xxx
Molly

Terri
Terri
8 years ago

I have been reading your blog and following you for awhile now. You and your gorgeous photos are always inspiring. My dream is too live in Italy, at least part time. But I have young children, twin boys, aged 12 and a loving and supportive husband. So, I cannot just run off and live this life just yet. My husband’s work and our livelihood is here in the states. For now, I will have to dream of the future and try to get over to Italy as often as possible. Will continue to watch you though, and your wonderful life. Thank you so much for sharing it all with us.

Susan Jeanette Davies
7 years ago

changed my whole life….except my car…doing that in July

Elie
Elie
2 years ago

I find out your letter just now and i know it’s too late to comment. I actually came to find the answer for ‘how to end my life’ but thankfully,i typed it ‘quit’ instead of ‘end’ and then i saw it. I always feel half alive and feel like there’s no future. I want to be brave enough but i fail. I don’t know why i’m lack of confidence and afraid to keep going. In fact, i used to be a motive and passionate girl but somehow i lost them and for now, i don’t even know what i love or want to do or to be. Fortunately, i found your post and it helped me to know for the first time that i don’t need to end but quit my old life for a new me. Thank you for your heartful words.