the dope cactus

Yo! I am now facing my first winter in Denver and last night I was seriously contemplating taking my ass back to Texas LOL. Y’all I am freezing my balls off out here. Anyway I thought I’d share with you guys why I decided to move to Denver in the middle of a freaking pandemic.

So originally I thought I would just come for a few weeks with a friend but then I decided that I might as well just stay. My lease was up in Austin and I had hit a roadblock in my career. I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do next. I had settled on moving back to Abilene and that just didn’t sit right with me.

Granted I’ll move back home in a heartbeat. Ain’t no shame in my game and I love being home with family but I thought I should at least give it a shot out here. Here I am 3 months in, doing gig work, trying to build my empire and just living life one day at a time. Living out here is a dream.

And moving out here with a friend for emotional support (and financial support since we’re roomies) and a sense of comfortability was perfect! I’m not rich y’all. I decided on an amount to save before I came out here and my side hustle work was helping to pay the bills at first. But savings don’t last if they aren’t replenished.

So I tried to go back to teaching then found out several teachers and the director had covid so I left there. Now I’m working in a warehouse making framed art and other items. I’m not opposed to working odd jobs especially to pay the bills and to keep a roof over my head.

Like a lot of you I’m ready to live life on my own terms and to set my own schedule. I want my money to make money while I’m sleep. While that hasn’t happened in my life YET, I refuse to give up. And if I can find a position with a company that still allows the flexibility I need in my life I will surely take it. I just refuse to give up! My mom’s spirit drives me. And my dad drives me too. He should not have to still be working in his 60’s.

Moving to Denver has allowed me to get out of my head. I love Austin but it isn’t the old Austin that I grew to love and I think that was taking a toll on me. Pre-corona I was hoping to return to Ghana to live for a while, but Denver is a close second and it allows me to be one with nature. While Denver weed isn’t hitting on what I had in Accra, I am very thankful to live in a legal state. Especially since depression creeps up on me every winter with birthdays and holidays happening back-to-back.

I’m thankful that folks in Colorado have been good about wearing masks and social distancing. I was still able to go out and celebrate my birthday a little bit. I’ve also been able to do a little bit of dating. Needless to say I haven’t had to swipe in a while if you catch my drift.

I want you all to do whatever the fuck it is that you want to do in life. That’s one thing the pandemic has taught me. Nothing is promised. America is shit. Anything is possible. Stop holding yourself back. If you fail so what. At least you tried. So just do it like Nike. Come back in a few months and let me know how you’re killing it.

Cash App: $longhornbrit

Venmo: @longhornbrit

PayPal: paypal.me/thedopecactus