A year ago I quit an awesome job. I had a lot of ideas of what would happen, and what my life would look like a year in. Some predictions were accurate; some weren't even close. Here's what I've learned:

It's okay to change your mind

I had grandiose notions of how I'd be earning a living by now. I fully expected to be sleeping in a bed of money a certain business idea would provide. I spent 8 months busting my ass, trying to force it to work. The problem was that I didn't want to be a part of that industry. Eight months is a lot of time to spend on something you don't care a lot about.

I changed my mind. It was a shot to my pride to admit defeat, but I couldn't waste any more energy. I started working on a (significantly) less lucrative idea that could actually help people. The difference in motivation is astronomical.

Deep friendships are rare

I made some amazing friends while in Portland, some of the best I've ever had. The two years spent exploring the Pacific North West with them is something I'll never forget, and something I don't think I'll ever be able to replicate.

I have some really great friends in Austin, but something it's not quite the same. Maybe amazing beer and amazing bars has a way to bond people in a certain way. Maybe I somehow found a group of people all traveling in the same direction as me. Whatever the reason, I loved being a part of these people's lives for my short time with them.

I made the right decision

It has taken nearly this whole year to come to this conclusion, but I made the right decision. I miss Portland and my friends terribly, but this is where I want to be. For now.