Well folks, this week marks a couple of milestones I never thought would happen.
Current big girl pants status: Overalls.
Here is something exciting – I am typing this post from my new office! I guess you would call it more of a studio, but it’s a work space with a bathroom where I can make a mess or meet with clients or shoot photos without moving my furniture around. IT IS PRETTY NEAT! It’s small, good light, and even though it’s a ridiculous bargain it’s probably more than I ought to be spending when I could work at home for free. But you know what? Working from home has some major downsides. Like what? Productivity.
Man oh man, do I suck at working from home. For as many hours as I put in I ought to have more to show for it. This was never a problem when I worked for someone else so it’s time to throw a new factor into the equation. I need to up my game. My dad always said people enjoy sports more when they have “some skin in the game,” and although I would never put money on a sports team, I have no problem betting on myself. This much I know to be true: I have never lost when I bet on myself.
So. Now I am spending money everyday for the privilege of working somewhere that is isn’t my couch, which sounds nuts, and it scares the crap out of me, but this might be the second smartest decision I have ever made. The first smartest decision I ever made came one year ago this week when I left my job. This week marks one year since I started my own business.
Wooot!!!
It’s weird. Yesterday I got a spam comment on this old post I wrote in March 2014, just about the time I realized I needed to quit my job and was freaking out about what to do next. I had totally forgotten about it. It consumed my soul for a good month back then, but hasn’t crossed my mind in ages. It’s painful to read now. I cringe to think about how scared and indecisive I was, and worse, I cringe at how many comments and emails arrived telling me to STAY EXACTLY WHERE YOU ARE! DON’T CHANGE ANYTHING! WAIT FOR SOMETHING BETTER TO PRESENT ITSELF! Which was the same sentiment I got from most folks in real life too. Even some of my closest friends thought going out on my own was a bad idea. When it actually happened in September 2014, I was terrified. Nearly called it off. The thing was, I liked my old job, I really did, but the opportunity for long-term financial growth wasn’t there and it wasn’t responsible to stay another five or ten years when I could be making inroads somewhere else. Even now it’s not like I’m rolling in Scrooge McDuck money but I have laid the groundwork for something bigger and better with endless growth. That’s not risk; that’s common sense.
This is the part where I thought I would write a post with some tips or tricks for people thinking of become creative entrepreneurs, but the fact is that I’m the last person who should be dispensing advice. That said, if you are one of those folks that is still trying to figure out what to do with your life (aren’t we all?) this podcast struck me as crazy helpful at identifying what you love most, which weirdly enough has a lot to do with who you were at ten-years-old. When I was ten I spent all my free time on arts and crafts and redesigning my Barbie Dream House even though I had lost interest in Barbie dolls years before…now I get paid to make art and crafts and take pictures of stuff in my own little dream house. It is a dream. I highly recommend it.
So that is what I know. One year in, I am not where I thought I would be, but where I stand is pretty swell. One year in, I am glad I am here.
None of this would be possible without you guys. I know sometimes my other work slows down my blogging, but often it’s my blogging that spurs the other work, so you can be sure both will be here for a long time, chugging away like the little engine that could.
Thank you for being here. Thank you for following. Thank you for making this dream come true.
/cheer /salute /applesauce…no wait…applause
I still can’t thank you enough for finding and recommending the tidying book. I thank you. Those Veteran’s groups that always call looking for “clothing or household items”, thank you. And those little spots in my house that have been cleaned and feel lighter and more productive and happy, thank you. My cats, however, get kind of worried when I go on a tidying binge. “Is she going to tidy us, too?”
I think you’ve earned margaritas at the local pub. You are amazing.
Congratulations on this important anniversary!! And thanks for being an inspiration to me and to your other fans – just by being you. Here’s to your continued happiness and success!
Frikkin’ YAY! You did it, and I can’t WAIT to see it!! Are you all moved in??
Tis the most beautiful key in the world! As I recall, I was NOT one of those who said stay where you are. So stoked to hear I was right!
Congratulations!!!
I began my own wedding planning business about a year ago, and I wanted to tell you that your posts struggling with whether or not to make the leap really mirrored my own struggles. Knowing that someone else was going through it too, and knowing that she succeeded (that’s you!) really helped me make the leap. Even though I still work part time at a restaurant to pay bills, my business has grown from absolutely nothing to SOMETHING, which I’m very proud of. I just wanted you to know that I’m super glad you didn’t listen to those who told you to stay put. And, well, thank you. You’re an inspiration (even though that sounds super cheese, it’s true!).
Congratulations on making decisions based on what your heart told you and not your head. I just bet you wake up each morning with passion for what you do. You are wearing those big girl pants very well. You look beautiful. Way to go!!!!!
Congratulations! You are definitely gifted – in design, with humor, ingenuity and the passion to follow your hear. I’ll be here as long as you are. 🙂
It has been so inspiring to watch you blossom. You are unique and fun and interested and interesting Pretty swell resume for life I think. You go girl. We are all lucky to have you in our world.
Dear Auntie Peaches-
I am so happy for you. I love your blog. And your crafts. And your viewpoint on oodles of things.
Please keep writing. I’ll keep reading.
You go, Girl! Happy Anniversary and Congrats on your newest milestone! Throw yourself an Office Warming Party!!
Hello, I am late finding you but so glad I did and so glad you made the leap to full-time self employment. I am always in awe of people following their passion and their gut. Congratulations. Came across a saying recently “create the experiences you want” which I am working at and you seem to have well in hand.
Yippee! Way to go, Peaches! Sounds like the beginning of a beautiful adventure. I wish you all the best!
Always loved that book! Congratulations and best wishes on the year ahead.
Your decision to quit your job sounds like mine that I had a few months ago. Although I’m still in between jobs and careers and at times I wonder, “What the hell was I thinking,” I know it’s the best choice. After moving back home temporarily and now in Chicago for a temporary internship, I do start feeling impatient, wondering when I’ll make money, have a job, and have my own place to live. I find I have to remind myself it will all come and I quit for a reason. Don’t give up! Your thoughts and post are an inspiration to me to keep on going!
You’re amazing and inspiring and I just love this post so much. I know you don’t know me but I’ve read your blog from the beginning and I’m so proud of all you’ve done. 🙂 I hope that means something even coming from a stranger on the Internet lol
Oh also I meant to say that the podcast you mentioned is amazing! I just started listening to it last week, before I read your post, just on a whim. And it is so helpful and yet still light (if that makes sense. Loads of “self help” podcasts kinda make me want to jump off a bridge and are in no way inspiring.)
found your blog about 4 months ago, and love, love, love IT!!!! Especially appreciate your honest sharing of your sgtruggles. Will work at reading all your archives.
i’m computer illiterate so didn’t get access to the pod cast. Wonder why….
Tried the pod cast again, and it worked this time! Thanks for sharing!
Glad it worked!
THANK YOU for all the inspiration of your talents – and the inspiration you gave me by going out on your own. You rock!
This is big and this is great. This is you making a dream career. I’d put money on you, too. It’s onward and upward from here, my girl. Go get ’em.
Cin says,’Wow, i am so happy that i accidentally ran across your advice and crazy addiction to candles and their scent and containers.I never thought of it as crack cocaine but i am addicted! I think mainly i want to say is you seem like such a neat gal and i’m sure an incredible friend! i wish i knew you because i really feel your personality in your message.Thank you for your posts i look forward to learning something new from you again. Keep your voice out there. I was having a morning that wasnt going well so i lit my candles to brighten myself up.I ususally just light them in the evening but i needed it today. Anywho, i had a beautiful purple glass container with very oily wax in it and i wanted to use it for a vase and flowers, im equally addicted to flowers, hence i looked up removing wax residue and POW i got you.I feel so much better now. you were like a friend to me when i really needed one, so thank you! you saved a soul today. Gods Blessings, Cin