I recently wrote a post about change. Well, there has been a development in my life that has warranted my taking my own advice.
In August of 2015, I decided to quit my 9-to-5 job and give blogging full-time a try. It was a decision that came with some heavy consequences, like the loss of a stable income. And while the paycheck every two weeks was nice (and appreciated), the job itself was unfulfilling. I needed to make a change and pursue a more creative venture, so I put in my notice and decided to work for myself. I had a powerful incentive to take this leap of faith: After having thyroid cancer in 2013 at age 26, I promised myself that I would appreciate my time more and do what made me happy.
My adventure with blogging this last year has certainly had its up’s and down’s, but I’ve learned more in one year of full-time blogging then I had in any prior role I’ve held. From pitching to brands, working with a photographer, determining my rate, creating consistent and engaging content to finding my voice and being confident in my writing, those valuable lessons are hard to put a price on.
But being in business for yourself is no easy feat. Working at home is at times isolating and stifling to creativity. It is also incredibly difficult to depend on creativity for income. I’m reminded of what Elizabeth Gilbert wrote in Big Magic (remember she held odd jobs until she hit it big with her fourth book) about how difficult it can be to ask your passion to support you. Those words profoundly affected me. I had turned something I was doing for fun and tried to make it profitable. Sometimes this formula equals success, but not for me at this time. I am perfectly okay with that, for I learned the very important distinction between an avocation and vocation.
So while I will not be a full-time blogger this year, working from my nice home office, and running up to Starbucks at noon, I will be using the skills I have gained from blogging in my new role in marketing. Fortuitously, my employer hired me because of my blog and all the skills I acquired through creating my site, writing copy, and promoting content.
I will forever be grateful for these 13 months — the friendships I’ve made along the way, the brands I’ve collaborated with, and of course, all of my readers who make blogging such a rewarding experience. But with my new time constraints, my blogging schedule will return to Monday, Wednesday, and Friday each week. Of course, you can follow along on Snapchat and Instagram (@livinginsteil), where I will be posting daily.
The greatest lesson for me in all of this is that sometimes you can’t turn your dreams into dollars, but you can allow your passion to pave the way to a paycheck.
*Image via PicLab Studio
It sounds like you gained a considerable amount of knowledge and experience from the past year which is excellent. I wish you much success in this next chapter.
Thank you so much, Robin!
I applaud you for your honesty and risk-taking. I think this next chapter in your life will bring some things you never dreamed of. So glad you will continue blogging and I will definitely keep coming back my friend.
http://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks, Kathrine! Blogging is something that I truly love. All of you who read my blog, comment, and connect with me on social media have given me such a level of fulfillment that I didn’t know possible before I started this venture. I will definitely continue to be an active member of the blogging community. Thanks for all of your support and well wishes!
Thanks for sharing, best of luck at your next adventure, I too struggle daily between the desire for professional fulfillment, and the demands of being a real adult and needing health insurance and income for my growing family at the end of the day. I look to find fulfillment and joy outside of my 9-5 on particularly stifling days, and that seems to be more realistic for me now than anything else. xoxo
Thanks, Christina! I have faced the same struggles as you ever since I came out of college. It is hard to find a career that is both lucrative and rewarding. I think the last line of your comment is a great way to go about striking that balance. Thank you for your continued support over the years!
Good for you in taking the leap of faith and realizing it’s benefits in moving towards your new chapter! Your skills will be such a great asset in your new career! Congratulations and best of luck! xo Bryn http://www.waketonroad.com
Thanks, Bryn! Blogging has given me many great skills and has boosted my confidence. I’m looking forward to applying everything I have learned in my new career!
Very interesting to read and It sounds like you learnt a lot from this experience. Thank you so much for sharing. I’ve considered full time blogging but didn’t have the guts. I wish you all the best with your new venture and look forward to seeing how it goes.
Thank you! Full-time blogging was a great opportunity and one that I will always cherish. But I am happy to have my passion for writing and blogging return to just that — a passion…at least for now!
This was so insightful and beautifully written, Vanessa. I commend you for leaving an unfulfilling job to pursue blogging full-time 13 months ago. That took A LOT of guts and clearly a great deal of passion. I commend you even more however for recognizing that perhaps that choice was no longer best serving you. Elizabeth Gilbert’s point that it can be challenging, and I think potentially unfair, to ask your creative pursuits to support you is a very valid one, and one that has been on my mind lately as well. There’s something to be said for having the ability to gently return your passion to just that, a passion, and be able to pursue it solely because it fulfills you. I’m sure you’ve been experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions and that the changes the next few months are going to bring will be at times challenging, but just know we are all here cheering you on and supporting you! I’m looking forward to hearing more about this next chapter.
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Kasie! It was one that I kept re-reading during the week when I needed some encouragement to get me through the day. The transition back to a 9-to-5 has been tough, to say the least. I miss my old blogging schedule and having the ability to check and post on social media when I want. But I know this next chapter will be an exciting one! I’ll definitely be sure to keep you all posted on how it’s going. Thanks again for your continued support!
Well done, Vanessa. You’ve got to do what’s right for you and follow your gut. I admire your determination and honesty, and wish you all the best in your new job. You’ll be fabulous! Angharad x
welshandwonderful.com
Thanks so much, Angharad! I always say you have to do what makes you happy. Thank you for your sweet comment and support!