It wasn't easy.
I don't have another "job" lined up.
I'm not wealthy.
What I do have is this:
-
2 on-line e-commerce stores
Etsy being one of them – www.harvestwoods.com
-
A revenue generating DIY website on how to make picture frames and mat board –
you can check it out here: www.picture-frame-it-yourself.com
-
a passion for making frames
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a desire to work for myself
-
and most important of all; the love and support of some amazing
people in my life
– including the Etsy community!
I've taken some other precautions too (I'm not
completely crazy!) which I'll outline in future installments.
This sounds crazy, I know.
With that said, the only
reason I can give for making this decision is: life is too short. In a blink of an eye, 18 years
have passed me by. As grateful as I am for my time in the higher education field - I'm not where I'd like
to be.
So many of us dream of a
day when we can spend our time doing something we feel passionate about, when our
job doesn't feel like work and it provides more than just a paycheck.
We dream of a day when we
can spend more time with our families and loved ones.
We dream of a lot of things, but
sometimes we can’t do anything about it.
What’s worse though is
when we are able to try - but never do.
I've decided I am able to try and realized if I don’t take
action now, my dreams will soon be replaced by the sobering reality that I
settled. That I took the safer path and somewhere along the line decided
things were “good enough”.
Instead, I’m going to embrace the belief that I
have the power - I believe we all do - to live the life I want to live.
Maybe I'll find out I'm unrealistic, maybe I'll realize
that's just the way life is. Maybe I'll find myself applying for jobs in higher
education again in a year or two.
Or maybe, just maybe, I'll find out that faith
is indeed more powerful than fear. Maybe I'll find out that the one thing that
prevents us from reaching our goals or living our dreams is - ourselves.
Either way, I have no doubt I'll learn a
lot, grow a lot and be better off in many ways just for trying.
The journey officially begins at the end of
June, when the safety net is removed and I start walking the line….
Al
Al, this is such an amazing and inspiring story! So well written - you really capture all of the thoughts and feelings that go into that crazy but wonderful decision to quit your day job. I'm in your shoes too (juggling pottery and a few other gigs) and have a constant mixture of thrill and anxiety over what comes next. Can't wait to read more!!
ReplyDeleteAl - you hit it right on the head. I think many of us feel that struggle, no matter what we're currently doing or juggling. I'm so interested to hear more! I have a feeling that being able to get a 'behind the scenes' look at what this path might be like for some, might help others make the same leap. Good luck and can't wait to read more! =)
ReplyDeleteYou go, Al! I look forward to reading more about your brave leap. This first installment is inspirational!
ReplyDeleteThanks ladies!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly takes courage and faith to make life changing decisions! Best of luck!
ReplyDelete