Well, I feel weird. Knowing that my days of freedom are right around the corner, I have been sort of jumbled. I have had ideas stashed away for “when I quit my job” and therefor had more time to devote to the exploration of new things. And now, with the opportunity so close, I’ve found myself feeling pulled in multiple directions at once.
As much as I’m excited to pursue new things, I feel like at first I need to just…..adjust. I can’t imagine how it’s going to feel waking up and not going to work. I mean, I’ve basically been doing that 5 days a week since I was 15. (That sounds depressing.) It’s really possible this new-found freedom is going to throw me out of wack for a bit. I definitely want to concentrate on developing a new groove with my usual routine before getting all experimental and test driving some new ideas.
For the most part, I feel really excited to start this new adventure. But I have to admit there are moments when I forget the excitement and the fear sets in. I have been dreaming this for so long and now that there is no turning back, I’m seriously wrapping my head around my new responsibilities. The thought of not having steady income, not having a reliable job to depend on….it’s a scary thing. But it could also be the best decision I have ever made. Who knows?
I just want to thank you guys again. The response I got on this blog post was so uplifting and it really has helped to keep my nerves at bay. Now whenever I have a freak out moment I can go back over your comments to remind myself I’m not alone in this. For all the comments, tweets, card orders, e-mails, ad space purchases……..Thank you. :] xo JA
You will do just fine!!! Yes, it’s weird at first, but you’ll realize that you have so much more time to devote to what you LOVE to do, and with that new creative ideas are born. Seriously you’ll look back on your other job a year from now and wonder why the heck you didn’t leave sooner! 😉
It is crazy at first. I had to continuously remind myself on Sunday evenings when “depression” would typically set it that I did NOT have to go to a dreaded job in the morning.
The best thing I have found is to make a schedule. It is really easy to get distracted and it helps to have a schedule and small daily goals =).
A friend of mine recently quit her day job to pursue her hobbies and work on other artistic endeavors. It took her a good month or two to get adjusted. She took some time to travel and visit family and work on stuff around the house. I don’t think it was her ideal, but I think it was necessary after so many years of “the daily grind.” It’s smart of you to allow yourself to kind of get used to the new routine and seeing what will work for you. For the first week or two, she had set these impossible goals for herself, and it took some time to say, “OK, this is what I want to achieve, this is what I can achieve, this is how I can do it.”
That being said … this is YOUR life. Do what works for you.
Go go Julie Ann! Sounds like you are a few steps ahead of where I want to be, I just wrote this post a couple of days ago on the subject, of ‘climbing my ladder’ and moving towards doing what I love. You can have a peek here if you wish:
http://jesuisunemonstre.blogspot.fr/2012/08/onwards-and-upwards-pon-my-ladder.html
I want to make my passion my job, just like you! Very inspired, and I would love to support you and your work and be a sponsor on your beautiful site!
Katie. xxx
so excited for you! good things are definitely to come!
you are an inspiration my dear 🙂
You’ll be just fine, missy! I’m sure there will be a need for adjustment, and it might be a challenge. However, I don’t doubt that you’ll eventually find a routine within our own work. You’ll be able to wake up and work on your ideas, post thoughts, share things, advance your business and your heart. Again, congratulations! Remember that your blogging community is here to support you, too. 🙂
You encourage me to put more time and energy in my hobbies. Like you (and many others), I’ve been procrastinating some of my dreams – I don’t have enough money, I don’t have enough resources, how am I going to get know? – and all kind of things to pull me back. But reading your post and “The day I quit my job” and “Dreams”, I felt so motivated.
Thanks for inspiring me!
This has been happening to me recently (my job made the decision FOR me before I worked up the guts to quit!) and it’s definitely an adjustment, but an awesome one! Having more time to work on my own business and be my own boss is both terrifying and liberating. You’ll get the hang of it, J — you’re already so successful!! 🙂
I agree with Gina and Dana, you’ll do great! You are strong, talented, and smart. Nerves are normal, but you have nothing to be afraid of 🙂
xoxo
Janee
It is nice to see someone who is in the EXACT same boat as I am.
I just moved to another state and due to my perfect living conditions I am able to pursue my creative dreams. There are days where I question whether or not I will have to go back to having a day job. The fear sets in sometimes and you aren’t sure whether or not your little biz will make it, but we have to stay positive and strong.
This is for us, so we have to kick it into high gear and really just kick ass!
– Amy
Oh I really admire you! You are a true inspiration!