The One Change That Transformed My Life
My story of changing environments and why it's the ultimate life hack to improve your life or change your career.
They say you have to hit rock bottom for a radical change to occur.
For me, one thing turned everything around—going from jobless to hired, fat to fit, and depressed to motivated.
What’s this one thing?
Changing my environment.
It may not sound profound, but I guarantee that you are the one holding yourself back from radical change. And shifting your environment is the most effective way to break out of the cycle.
Let me take you back to when I was stuck—stubborn, blind to the signs, and convinced my problems were external. Looking back, I can see how impactful changing my environment was, and I hope my story helps you do the same.
Because the sooner you analyze why things are happening, the sooner you can make a change.
TL;DR: What You Should Remember
If you feel stuck in life—whether in your job, relationships, or personal growth—the fastest way to break free is to change your environment.
Here’s what you need to know:
Your surroundings dictate your growth. Staying in the wrong place with the wrong people will keep you in the same cycle.
Rock bottom isn’t the end—it’s the beginning. The discomfort of hitting a low point is often the fuel for radical change.
Small shifts lead to big transformations. Move to a new place, leave toxic relationships, or surround yourself with people who are already where you want to be.
Consistency is the secret weapon. Changing your environment will give you the space to grow, but your daily habits will determine how far you go.
I went from jobless to hired, fat to fit, and depressed to motivated—all because I changed my environment. Keep reading to see how you can do the same.
The Change of a Lifetime That I’ll Never Regret
You know that opening scene in a movie that says, “Yup, that was me. Here’s what happened next.”?
Well, take a good look—this is what changing my environment did for me.
But first, let me give you some context.
Big Change #1: Leaving My Hometown Behind
I grew up in Washington, with no clear path in life. At one point, my biggest passion was weed—yes, you heard that right. I dove deep into the medical marijuana industry, became obsessed with plant genetics, cannabinoids, and terpenes, and for a while, I thought that was my future.
But years passed, and I wasn’t going anywhere. I managed a retail store, got robbed, and dealt with constant break-ins. Eventually, I left for a job at Amazon delivering packages.
That job humbled me. I will never disrespect a delivery driver again after learning how brutally exhausting it is.
Yet, I was still stuck. Another dead-end job. My knees were giving out from rushing deliveries. I knew I had to make a change.
A friend convinced me to move to Arizona. So, I did—dragging my girlfriend and my dog, Buster, along with me.
And that’s when everything started shifting.
Big Change #2: Leaving a Toxic Relationship Behind
In Arizona, my friend gave us a place to live in the first house he bought.
We got kicked out because he couldn’t stand the girl I was with.
I don’t blame him.
We moved into an apartment together, and that’s when things got dark. I gained weight, lost motivation, and barely recognized myself in the mirror. I hit rock bottom.
And then, I started seeing in myself the same toxic traits I had resented in my father when I was a child.
If we had never moved to Arizona, we wouldn’t have been tested to this extent. That environment forced us to confront the cracks in our relationship.
And when the moment came, I left.
I moved back into my friend’s house, and it became the most positive environment I had ever lived in.
Big Change #3: A New Environment Leads to New Growth
Sometimes, you have to cut everyone out and start over.
In Arizona, it was just me, my dog, my friend, and my parents. That was my entire circle.
And that was all I needed.
My friend was a UI/UX designer. He had moved to Arizona, built a career, and even bought a house—all things I never imagined possible for myself.
Living with him changed me.
I had no chains holding me back. I started dating for the first time in my life. I started learning new skills. And I actually cared about my health and appearance for the first time.
That’s when I decided to make the biggest shift of my life—leaving customer service behind and diving headfirst into design.
And here’s what I learned:
When you start noticing small wins, motivation kicks in. I quit my last customer service job at Amazon and went all in on design.
I became relentless.
That stubbornness turned into persistence. Persistence became consistency. And consistency is what turns wild dreams into reality.
How to Change Your Environment and Unlock the New You
Ask yourself this:
What pisses you off about your life?
What brings you pleasure?
What’s keeping you stuck in the hamster wheel?
If you don’t feel like you’ve hit rock bottom, dig deeper. Get brutally honest with yourself.
I sucked at recognizing those critical points in myself, but I found it easier to see them in others. So, let me help you find your catalyst.
3 Steps to Changing Your Life
Step #1: Identify the Cycle You’re Stuck In
Are you in a revolving loop? These are the three biggest blockers I see in most people:
Toxic relationships – Are your closest connections draining you?
Your career – Do you hate your job but drag yourself through it every day?
Your location – Are you stuck in a city or town that keeps you small?
Figure out what’s actually holding you back.
Step #2: Start Making Small Shifts
If you can’t make a big move yet, do this:
Change your surroundings. If your home environment is terrible, start spending more time outside. Work from a café in a place where people look successful.
Find new people. Drop toxic friends who don’t support your growth. Your circle should reflect where you want to be.
Rethink your career. Update your resume, improve your portfolio, and start networking. The right connections change everything.
Step #3: Surround Yourself With People Who Live the Life You Want
Hit the gym. Prioritize your health.
Find mentors and role models.
Strip out anyone who doesn’t support your growth.
Allow yourself time. Real change doesn’t happen overnight.
And most importantly—stay consistent. The discomfort will be worth it.
Disappear and Become Unrecognizable
“If you don’t take the time to build the life you want, the only option is to follow the life you were assigned.” – Dan Koe
Get comfortable being uncomfortable.
When I decided to transition from customer service to UI/UX design, I wrote one goal on my wall:
$80,000.
That’s not the healthiest goal—I’ve since learned that enjoying the process is more important—but at the time, I had never experienced financial security in my life.
Can you relate?
Tiny wins start stacking up. Maybe people start noticing you. Maybe you gain confidence. Maybe you finally afford to live the way you want.
But ignoring your environment and expecting things to change is a massive mistake.
Change your environment, or spend your life living with regret.
What’s stopping you? Let’s talk about it.
Things Worth Sharing
🔗 A Post That Hit Me Hard
I rarely subscribe to newsletters or articles on LinkedIn, but I recently read an insightful article by Summer Chang on how content designers can monetize their skills. The article offers practical strategies, such as freelancing, creating digital products, and conducting workshops to transform expertise into sustainable income streams. This article is a must-read if you want to leverage your content design skills for additional income!
🎥 ICYMI: My Latest Video
I went a little deep on this one and had a heart-to-heart on why it’s hard to leave people behind in life, and if anyone has a hard time closing the chapter on a relationship for you to grow, then give this one a watch.