Summer School Dropout Ep. 4: Reclaiming My Unicorn Space

Back in February, I had this wild idea to ditch the kids' summer school plans and use the money to travel and reconnect with all our friends. Let me tell you, it felt like a stroke of genius. It was reminiscent of that adventurous spirit I had a decade ago when my husband and I embarked on a cross-country road trip in his orange limo to explore the rock 'n' roll scenes and even make a documentary about it. Ah, those were the days! Always on the lookout for an excuse to pack my bags and discover new parts of the world.

But somewhere along the way, things shifted. Maybe it was having two kids or the weight of the pandemic. Or perhaps it was this unspoken pressure I put on myself to be further ahead in my business and personal life. In my late 30s, with two kids, two cars, and a mortgage, I started feeling like I hadn't quite made it. I let the success of my friends get under my skin, even though it wasn't their fault. Insecurities started creeping in, and I questioned what success really meant. Was it all about financial security? And how much is enough, anyway? These thoughts led me to consider leaving the Bay Area, our home for half our lives, in search of a more affordable place to start anew.

Let me tell you, the past few years were a whirlwind of comparison and self-doubt. As a mother, a businesswoman, and a wife, I constantly felt like I was falling short. I was supposed to be enjoying the happiest time of my life, but instead, I was stressed, anxious, and easily distracted by trivial matters. It was time for a change—a shift in perspective that only I could bring about.

So, at the beginning of 2023, I took the bull by the horns. My husband and I had a serious heart-to-heart, and we agreed that I needed an office outside the house. A mile away, I found the perfect WeWork location—my sanctuary, complete with adult interactions and cold brew on tap. Let me tell you, it was the best decision ever! But that was just the beginning. I knew I needed to invest in myself, so I enrolled in a time management course. It was time to reclaim my confidence and say "yes" to more opportunities. And boy, did things start looking up!

As the dreary tunnel I'd been living in started to fade, a glimmer of light appeared. I realized it was time to take back control and prioritize what truly mattered. Travel became a big part of that equation. We had two fantastic trips planned—a wedding and my husband's 40th birthday bash—all set before March. But here's the kicker: my husband had used up all his vacation days, and we had spent a pretty penny on those two trips combined. How on earth could we afford to visit our family and friends scattered across the country? Each passing year, more friends bought new houses or welcomed new babies, and we missed out on celebrating those milestones. That's when my brain went into overdrive.

I desperately wanted my kids to spend quality time with their cousins in Louisiana during the summer, but flights were outrageously expensive. Then it hit me. What if we flew to one destination and drove from there to the next, before flying back home? We'd skip the summer programs at the preschool, which would free up over $7k. With the generous hospitality of friends and family, we could actually pull this off. And guess what? We snagged a companion pass, courtesy of Southwest! Once my husband gave the green light with his work, we were all systems go.

This idea, this process—it felt like finding myself again. I could feel the old me, Farran, resurfacing. The belief that I could do anything was coursing through my veins, and it felt goooood. And you know what? We’re not even half way done and this trip has become the catalyst for so much more. Ideas have begun pouring in, unstoppable as a runaway train. My brain has been in overdrive, so much so that even during a lash appointment, my eyes couldn't stop fluttering and shifting. It was like gears clicking into place—trippy yet exhilarating. I couldn't contain my excitement!

In the midst of this creative resurgence, I stumbled upon the audiobook Find Your Unicorn Space, by Eve Rodsky . And let me tell you, I have found it! This shift in my mindset is aligning all my ideas, making once-impossible dreams seem crystal clear. I'm itching to make them a reality. So buckle up, because I'm riding this wave, and I want you all to join me. There's so much more to come, but for now, feast your eyes on this photo of our house on 2nd Street—the future home of my new empire. Stay tuned, my friends!