There are certain calls that stamp themselves onto your memory in neon, whether it’s that late-night “What are we?” conversation or the dreaded “We need to talk” text-turned-call (always ominous). For me, the call that rearranged my entire existence came on an unassuming Tuesday afternoon. I was sitting on my worn leather couch in Austin, the air filled with the smell of burnt popcorn—a classic side effect of my inability to microwave anything properly. And then it rang.
It wasn’t a string quartet serenading me with destiny. Instead, it was an unfamiliar number flashing on my screen. Usually, I let unknown numbers spiral into voicemail purgatory. But something made me answer—maybe curiosity, maybe fate, maybe the fact that I needed a break from scraping burnt kernels out of my popcorn bowl.
By the end of that call, I wasn’t the same person anymore. The universe had hit shuffle, and it was playing an entirely new song.
The Call That Changed Everything
A few months before that fateful Tuesday, I’d submitted an essay on a whim to an online publication—a personal piece reflecting on what I’d learned about love and connection while working in community spaces. Honestly, I’d half-forgotten about it. The submission had been less of a career move and more of a personal dare—proof that I could put my heart on the page and hand it over to people who didn’t already know me.
That call? It was an editor from the publication. She loved my piece and wanted to publish it. Publish it. My blend of fear and exhilaration must’ve been palpable because I remember her joking, “You sound almost as excited as you are terrified.” That was accurate.
I hung up, and for the next hour, I paced around my living room, clutching a lukewarm cup of tea like it was some kind of emotional anchor. It wasn’t just about the essay—though that alone felt monumental. It was about suddenly realizing I had permission, or maybe just the courage, to show up in the world differently. Writing wasn’t just something I toyed with in private; it was something other people saw value in.
What That Call Taught Me About Life, Love, and Everything In Between
Looking back now, this random Tuesday moment taught me a surprising number of lessons about connection, resilience, and taking chances. And, because I’m nothing if not a multitasker, I want to share them as if we're sitting together over a plate of Tex-Mex nachos (because let’s face it, everything good in life should involve melted cheese).
1. Unanswered Calls Are Missed Opportunities
I’ll be honest—I almost didn’t pick up that day. If you’re anything like me, there’s a certain anxiety that comes with answering unknown numbers (Are they selling me extended car insurance or just trying to destabilize my afternoon?). But here’s the thing: not every mystery call is an annoyance. Some are opportunities, waiting for you to meet them halfway.
In love, life, and yes, even in answering phone calls, saying “yes” to the unexpected often opens doors you didn’t even realize were locked. Imagine everything you might miss because you were afraid to pick up. Sometimes, the first step to transformation is simply showing up—heart pounding, hands sweaty, and all.
2. Vulnerability = Growth, Even When It’s Painfully Awkward
Letting someone else read the essay that eventually got me that call felt like standing naked in the produce aisle—completely exposed and wildly out of place. Vulnerability is like that. Whether it’s pressing “send” on a deeply personal submission or admitting romantic feelings you’ve tucked away out of fear, growth requires a willingness to get a little uncomfortable. Maybe even a lot uncomfortable.
The irony is that the moments we fear will shake us apart are often the ones that fit our pieces together in a way we didn’t know was possible. My “please don’t judge me too hard” essay became a turning point, and it was all because I didn’t let my insecurities win.
3. The Right People See Your Potential—Sometimes Before You Do
The editor who called me that day didn’t just help me publish my essay. She also ended up mentoring me—nudging me toward new stories and creative pursuits I would’ve never dared explore on my own.
Relationships of all kinds work that way, don’t they? Whether it’s a friend who hypes you up before a job interview or a partner who insists you could run that marathon even though you’d rather just watch Netflix, the people who see our magic often give us the key to unlock it.
4. There’s Power in a Single Yes
It’s wild how much can shift when you give yourself permission to stop overthinking and just go for it. When I said “yes” to submitting that essay, I had no idea what would follow. But here’s the sneaky thing about yes: it’s contagious. Once you open the door to possibility, it invites its cousins—confidence, creativity, and connection—to join the party.
This applies to everything, by the way. Saying “yes” to a first date nudged by curiosity? Could be the start of something unforgettable. Saying “yes” to an out-of-your-comfort-zone work proposal? Maybe the beginning of a new career.
One yes doesn’t guarantee a fairytale ending—but it sure as hell guarantees movement.
5. Not Every Life-Changing Moment Feels Monumental at First
Let me tell you, when I hung up that day, the world didn’t suddenly sparkle. I didn’t run to the nearest coffee shop and declare, “My life is forever changed!” I just… put down the phone and went back to attempting to salvage burnt popcorn.
Sometimes, big shifts don’t arrive with fanfare. They’re just quiet moments that echo louder the further you get from them. Whatever feels small today might, years later, feel seismic.
And Now, Over to You
That random Tuesday taught me that life is made in these small, brave moments: picking up the phone, pressing “send,” saying “yes.” It reminded me that connection—whether with ourselves, our work, or other people—isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about the courage to show up and try, no matter how wobbly or unsure you feel.
So the next time life dials you up—be it through an unexpected phone call, an intriguing opportunity, or the chance to leap into something new—I hope you’ll answer. Who knows? It might just be the call that changes everything.
