Social media was in a frenzy after The Cutting Room Floor podcast released a job posting for an entry-level role in New York City paying $55,000 a year. Many people took issue with the salary due to the city’s high cost of living, claiming it was not enough to sustain a reasonable lifestyle. Viewers also felt that the role reflected a larger issue within the fashion industry, where low pay and limited benefits often make it difficult for new talent to break in. The podcast’s host, Recho Omondi, responded to the criticism by explaining that the position offers valuable exposure and growth opportunities for someone early in their career, noting that the podcast remains independently run as it continues to grow.
The conversation sparked a wider discussion about the sacrifices required to live in a dream city and the realities many creatives face when pursuing their passions. It raised questions about what it means to strategically position yourself for a new chapter when the necessary sacrifices feel overwhelming. For many, those choices can feel daunting at first but often turn into blessings in disguise.
Everyone defines their dream life differently, and the sacrifices that come with it vary. Some are predictable—financial adjustments, delayed personal goals, or moments of self-doubt—while others are unexpected. Lifestyle influencer Hope Romeo, 23, learned this firsthand after moving from New York City to Atlanta six months ago with her college sweetheart. The move marked the start of a new journey and a wave of self-discovery she did not anticipate. “Starting a life in a new city forced me to come face-to-face with who I thought I was versus who I actually am. […] I had to sacrifice who I was in order to be shaped and molded into this new person. One with new experiences, new lessons, and a deeper understanding of what real change requires,” Romeo told GU. She believes the beauty in starting over lies in the unknown.
Fitness coach Shanna Tyler Salmon experienced something similar after moving from Jersey City to Chicago in April. She wanted to prove to herself that she was capable of making bold changes. Following a breakup and months of reflection, Shanna began her move with long-distance support from loved ones. “It was terrifying to make this move alone. I had to search for my own studio apartment, look into potential neighborhoods, save my own finances, and board a one-way flight to Chicago by myself. I had no idea what to expect.”
Travel and literary influencer Keri Hill took her leap of faith even further by leaving the United States entirely. “The idea even seemed a bit far-fetched to me because at the time I didn’t know that it could be possible for me or how to even begin going about staying for a long time. Like the idea of being a Spanish resident? Girl what?! But by the grace of God everything worked out,” Hill told GU. After visiting Spain several times, she realized she did not want to return to Louisiana. The culture and energy of Barcelona captivated her while she attended a language school there. Moving to another country requires more than logistics; it demands emotional and mental preparation for sacrifices that go beyond the physical.
Sacrifice is an inevitable part of transformation. Growth requires releasing who you once were to step into who you are becoming. It often means unlearning old habits and identities tied to familiar places. Practicing patience during this process helps you navigate discomfort and recognize the long-term value of change.
“I think I had to sacrifice the old version of myself. I really had to let go of who I was in my old city in order to step into who I’m becoming now […] For me, that meant releasing the version of myself who constantly jumped from one thing to the next whenever something didn’t happen fast enough. The version of me who cared too much about outside validation,” Romeo reflected.
“I had to sacrifice my comfort zone before, during, and after my move. I was uncomfortable with not knowing what awaited me in Chicago. I was uncomfortable on the flight and not knowing what my apartment would look like in real life. I was uncomfortable making a new life here. I didn’t realize how comfortable I was with what made NYC the city it is, especially the hustle and the transit system,” Shanna shared.
The mental health impact of a major move can show up in many ways. Anxiety, stress, and loneliness are common during periods of transition. For 25-year-old beauty influencer Daviana Mercedes, moving solo from Miami to Los Angeles brought emotional challenges she did not expect. “It becomes unsustainable to move somewhere where you don’t have many people you can rely on. That was something I thought when I first moved here, like oh I’m this strong independent woman, I can do everything on my own, but the reality is that we need others we can lean on! And just to help us with things from time to time,” she said.
Daviana explained that her initial loneliness weighed heavily on her mental health as she worked to build community in an unfamiliar place. She eventually formed a friend group within her first year, but that did not completely erase her sense of isolation. Community is often a deciding factor when people relocate, since discovering a new environment can feel incomplete without connection. “Making the sacrifice of moving to a new place to better your life doesn’t mean everything is going to come easy. You’re building from the ground up, and it can feel frustrating when things aren’t happening quickly. Mental health changes started happening for me in year two of my move, but I’m slowly tackling that feeling of isolation,” she shared.
Whether you move to a new city or across the world, patience is essential. Even if the experience does not unfold as expected, taking that leap remains valuable. It proves courage and creates space for personal growth. “The best thing anyone can do, in my opinion, is move. Not just physically, but mentally and spiritually too,” Romeo expressed when reflecting on her journey. “I think I’m still in this ‘in between’ stage of learning what it means to be in grind season versus taking my time. I’m starting to realize that both are okay. Grind season may feel like what I described—the headaches, the stress, the long days and short nights—but the key is not spending too much time in either grind season or stillness. It’s about finding balance.”