There’s Nothing You Could Say That Would Turn Me Away — Crystal Enriquez

I moved to the East Coast just like I said I would. 

I didn't know how or when it was going to happen, I just felt it in my bones that it was coming.

I was raised in 10 different foster homes. I suffered all forms of abuse, neglect and a disorder called “trich”. A compulsive urge to pull out body hair, so much I went bald by fifth grade. My biological mother was an alcoholic/drug addict. I spent the majority of my youth trying to survive and self-destruct as a form of coping with the environments I had no control over. 

I found myself in two extreme lifestyles. The first with a single mother who was dependent on government aid, hustling to make ends meet. The second, with a happily married Christian couple who worked hard for their successes and lived out the rewards of doing so. I grew up fast, became emotionally intelligent and aware of everything. There were long days and nights I cried for peace in my heart, mind and soul. There were moments I blamed God and myself for it all. There were seasons I didn’t think I would live to see another day. Many times I felt as if I had no one in my corner and other times it felt like I had a village behind me.

As a teenager I talked about the things I wanted to do when I got older: travel to Europe, live in a big city, go to college, be successful etc. I felt there was so much the world could offer me but I grew up in a home with high expectations.

I heard recurring messages that said:

“You can’t travel at a young age without saving money.” “Teaching isn’t a real career.” “Are you even sure you will graduate? ”

I never felt adequate enough because when I shared these dreams with people closest to me, I felt questioned. I was met with separation and the older I got, the more I second-guessed myself. I sought validation in others, instead of trusting myself. 

One day, I decided enough was enough.

I didn’t want to feel inadequate ever again. No matter what, I told myself I would not hold back and listen to my intuition!

So I started to take chances.

Chances on love, dreams and most importantly myself! I moved away from my hometown to a state where I had no family or friends, traveled to different cities and states ALONE, left the church and converted to the spiritual world. I taught myself  how to read tarot, manifest, practice affirmations and gratitude in everything I did. I learned how to sit in the uncomfortableness of my singleness instead of coping with temporary satisfactions like sex, alcohol and exes. Yes, there were times I fell short but this was something that took years to understand and master.

The universe just knew…

In the Winter of 2020-21, I was at my lowest. My lifelong dream to move to New York City fell through. I just graduated from college and had been living alone for almost two years in Amarillo, Texas. I was lonely. I didn’t have any furniture except my bedroom set, which sat in the living room of my one bedroom apartment. To top it all off, I got really sick and had no other choice but to stay in Texas and take care of myself. 

I was beginning to lose hope, until something special happened…

It was a rainy night, I was laying in bed with a candle illuminating the darkness of my living room. I was scrolling on TikTok and found Anna Vatuone.

Anna had posted a video of her journey from coast to coast. She packed her belongings, left her other things  in storage, and drove from California to Boston just to see the leaves change color. I remember feeling so empowered by her story. I thought I had to meet her. After getting to know her online, I found Personal Brand Accelerator, a three month course she created that spoke to me in more ways than one. She gave me hope in gaining a community, a transition after graduating college, and the ability to learn how to post intentionally with endless stories. So, I applied for an interview jokingly, thinking “Maybe if I get an interview, I can meet her!” The next day I was invited for an interview with her!

That was when the trajectory of my life had changed.

I knew upon joining Personal Brand Accelerator, I quickly discovered I had something special within me that would turn into a successful business one day.

Over the following six months, I graduated from PBA, had surgery, moved home to California and left my teaching job. Summer came and I was invited by Anna to become a Personal Branding Coach. Of course, I said yes! I knew this was the start of something greater but for now my vision was surrendered. 

In the midst of the three months as a Personal Branding Coach, the unbelievable happened. I received a job offer to teach ESL in Boston, Massachusetts! 

I immediately called Anna, humbly asking if I could stay with her while I got on my feet ( I had never met her in person) and she said yes! September came around, I packed two suitcases and was on a one way flight from Fresno, California to Boston, Massachusetts. 

Teaching to coaching

All my life I chased after a career that felt right, safe and stable - teaching. Growing up all I knew was how to struggle, fix, and persevere everything until I attained it. This mindset limited me though…to know beyond struggle. The ability to believe there was more to life than a fixed income, long work days, and a mundane routine. Moving to Boston and living that life out, the more it occurred to me -  I was not meant to work this hard only to be unhappy with something that I love to do.

 That’s the thing, what we are meant to do is always changing.

So I decided to resign. I could no longer hide how hard it was for me. Struggling to find happiness, in my environment, identity and choices. Not satisfied because I felt this deep knowing something isn’t right, but that changed when I moved in with Anna. 

Because I  felt called to teach, I chased the “dream” and the moment I got it, it felt forced. And it showed. In my attitude, my conversations, my home, my work, my friendships and my happiness. 

Secretly, I knew I had a gift…

Wisdom and intuition.

But I didn’t know how to teach in a different way. I asked myself  how do I give people direction and the courage to take action? To find the confidence and confirmation in what they already feel compelled to do just as I did. 

So I followed intuition...again. After a year of learning tarot and giving readings on TikTok, I decided go full-time, work from home and bring  The Action Plan to life. 

Here is the thing, our lives are made of moments and in those moments we have the choice to stay exactly where we are or push through into the unknown. 

As for me, I chose to push through every single time. That is what it means to take action and lean on your intuition. 

In the short amount of time that I have been here in Boston, I did not expect that I would resign from two teaching jobs, adopt a puppy, move into a second apartment and have a roommate  but I have never felt more aligned to call myself a Tarot Reader and Spiritual Action Coach.