6 months ago you would have never caught me living in LA without a car. The public transportation out here is terrible, especially to someone who grew up in a city like me, and I am not a fan of ride shares. I hate riding in the back of a car and like to leave and go as I please without waiting for a car to pick me up. I thought it was UTERLY absurd to live here without a car. And I still do, except…
Today was the day I was bringing back my lease and I was feeling a weird feeling inside. Every time I was ready to upgrade my lease in the past, I knew exactly what car I wanted. I went from a Corolla to a Camry to a Lexus but when this lease was running out I found myself at a lost for what next. So I waited until the very last day of my lease and brought the car back ready to see what they were going to offer. I looked at the different cars still not that excited but decided to go through the motions. (Side note: Word to the wise, act like you don’t need the car and boy will they give you a deal. I went from them asking for me to put $2500 down to them saying I can pt $0 down and just walk out with a car.)
Even with all those temptations, I felt in my heart it wasn’t right. I was tired of paying a car note, car insurance, and gas (which is very expensive for a premium 6 cylinder car) My office is less then a mile from my home and I rarely find myself driving far. It started to dawn on me that maybe I felt so uninspired to get a new car because God was showing me that I didn’t need one right now.
My goal this year is to travel A LOT and any extra expenses takes away from that. And what’s the use of a car if you’re traveling half the month anyway. I felt like if I got a car I was allowing myself to stay in the same place and hindering my chance to flourish. Having a car was starting to feel like a burden more then an asset.
And so despite the temptation, I decided to run on faith and follow the feeling God put in my heart and that was to walk away from the responsibility of a car and focus on traveling more. I’m not saying it won’t be in inconvenience to not have a car, it will, but the inconvenience outweighs the burden of feeling tied to something I don’t really need. And it doesn’t outweigh the freedom I have now to explore more places. Spain, Greece, Bali, skies the limit!
It will be a lifestyle change but everything I need in my neighborhood is walking distance, (ie grocery stores, pharmacy, hospital) And if I really need to be somewhere I can always take a Lyft.
I don’t doubt I will see my friends less but to me I had to sacrifice that, sacrifice the convenience of a car for the bigger picture. I feel so much freer now that I have released it.
Moral of the story: trust your gut. God is always telling you something and even if it seems taboo or people will question it, trust that what’s for you is for you. I was the person that would think someone would be cray for not having a car in LA and now I feel like it’s the best decision for me to open up new doors and possibilities, travel the world, and achieve my goals.
It may not be the right move for you but whatever you’re questioning in life I implore you to trust your gut and God will do the rest!
Cheers to new beginnings, just booked Hawaii and so excited for the adventures to come!
Wearing: Lulus dress
Good for you girly, sometimes we just have to really evaluate true needs time and time again. P.S I am a new blogger and I will be floored if you can check out my blog, it’s http://www.mfactorstudio.com and tell me what you think. Cheers
We are going through the same thing. I have only been in Los Angeles for a year. We took over a lease and it is due back at the end of the month. We are struggling whether or not to get a car. But with auditions and appointments, not sure if we would be paying more for Uber. It is freeing to be able to get in the car and drive away if you want. Decisions, decisions…
Sherita
http://Www.busywifebusylife.com