My darling readers, I have news.
Big news.
By the end of this week, I will be joining the ranks of the self-employed.
I am about to become a full-time entrepreneur.
It took me a while to figure out how to share this news with you, because it’s a transition and transitions are complicated. (Maybe I’ll share more about the complexities in another post.)
As complicated as it is, and as scary as it is, I just know that it’s time for me to move forward in this new direction.
A tweet from Jen Louden sums it up quite nicely for me:
When you “should” on yourself to do what weakens (even if you’re good at it) you exhaust your precious life force.
I have been in IT for over 10 years. And I’m damn good at it. But part of why I was continuing in my job was out of a sense of should.
I shouldn’t walk away from this stable career. I should wait until my business is bringing in more income. I should wait until we have a larger emergency fund.
I should wait until fill-in-the-blank.
What I’ve known for a long time – but convinced myself I must be wrong or making it up – is that staying in the job was weakening me.
My life force, or let’s call it creative energy, was being used up. There wasn’t enough left over to give my business and Right People what they need.
That’s what this move is all about.
Giving myself what I need and want.
Having more to give to my Right People.
Creating a life and work that is satisfying and fits me.
But isn’t this risky?
Yes. There is risk in leaving a lucrative career for something new.
Risk of failure.
Risk of losing our financial stability.
Risk of not being able to live the “American Dream” (which is pretty much bullshit anyway).
But, as Hiro so wisely shared with me, there is also risk in staying in my job.
Risk of losing my joy, passion and creativity.
Risk of becoming so depressed I’d give up on my business completely.
Risk of damaging my health by giving in to self-medication as a coping mechanism.
The more I listened to my heart, the harder it became to ignore its desires.
And the harder it became to ignore my heart, the riskier it felt to stay in a job that was taking the best of me and leaving only crumbs. The risks of staying feel far more costly to me than the risks of forging my own path.
Now begins the next adventure. I’m looking forward to seeing where it leads.
Hooray! Good luck; it’s scary and thrilling and wonderful all at the same time. Mostly scary, but hell, who can be glorious when feeling safe and comfy? Rah!
.-= Emma Newman´s last blog ..Lemon-free networking for social media types: my first Brrism =-.
Woo-hoo! Welcome Victoria! So excited to hear about this. It won’t be long before you consider yourself “unemployable.” :)
If you need anything, just ask.
.-= Mark Silver´s last blog ..In Which Promotion Happens on the Blog =-.
Rock On. Sister.
Thank you for bringing your authentic self to the world!
.-= Bridget Pilloud´s last blog ..Root Chakra Energy Vampires =-.
Congratulations, Victoria!!! How exciting!!! Think how much more brightly you will shine…
Yippee for you!
Congratulations on listening to your heart and deciding to fulfill its desires, despite how complicated it certainly is and feels. Best of luck for the next adventures!
.-= Josiane´s last blog ..Practicing body poetry with Havi =-.
Congrats and you will never be sorry for making the move to the ranks of self-employed. If you need anything, make sure to reach out to those of us who are there already.
Congratulations!! And what sound advice from Hiro about the risks of NOT doing this. Very wise to see the cost of not listening to one’s heart… and so, welcome!
.-= Gina´s last blog ..i’m too sexy for this post =-.
Resistance Was Futile. We have absorbed you into the collective. You have now become one with us.
Cool beans.
.-= Dick Carlson´s last blog ..The Only Ones With A Problem With Our Interface Are The Users =-.
Wow, Victoria. I’m jumping up and down for you right now.
I went through this exact same thought process two years ago. I mean, it’s surreal.
There isn’t a day goes by that I’m not assessing my situation (esp financial) and making plans for the next month, quarter, year, and further. It’s a lot different from seeing that regular direct deposit go “clink!” into my account. Worrying sometimes, sure. Huge celebrations sometimes, yes.
But I wouldn’t go back. There are so many rewards in this new world that don’t involve the bank. It’s kind of like swallowing the red pill. Once you see the Matrix, you can’t un-see it.
I see great things for you. This is exciting.
.-= David´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at =-.
Yippee!
I so hoped this was what your announcement would be! I thought it was, I hoped it was – and it is!
Congratulatons!
.-= Grace´s last blog ..Me and my work – a personal manifesto =-.
Victoria, hooray! Congratulations on making the leap–I’m so thrilled and happy for you!
Safety and support come in many forms. We’re all here holding the vision of your beautiful new business, and welcoming the light you shine in the world.
Lots of love,
Hiro
.-= Hiro Boga´s last blog ..Of Dragons and Queens . . . =-.
Congragulations.
Expressing our true selfs is the ultimate reason why we are here.
I know you shall twinkle with each moment in delight of what you enjoy doing.
I too quit my first full time job in mid August. Mainly to take some time out for me, and explore and express who I am more as a being.
Keep shining!
.-= Ana´s last blog ..Music for the Soul =-.
Whoooooo!
And I agree with Mr. Pants: once you see it, you can’t unsee it.
Welcome. We’ve been waiting for you. And we are so so so thrilled that you’re here. Actually, you already *were* here, it’s just that now it’s official.
Start the party! doonsk doonsk doonsk!
.-= Havi Brooks (and duck)´s last blog ..Boring old me and my pet kangaroo =-.
Woo hoo Victoria! I’ll be joining you early this spring & can’t wait. Sometimes I do catch myself thinking about it, though – really thinking about it – & get so, so scared. The risks you list just go wild in my head & I think I must be nuts. But I’ve been learning lately that the scary stuff is the stuff that ends up being most worthwhile, & I could never live with myself if I don’t see where this path leads. AND that I have too many people who love & care about me to let me be homeless/hungry. So YES. I say “yes”. So glad you are, too!
Woo!! Hoo!!! This is so super awesome and amazingly exciting! Yay for you!
*all kinds of happy dances in your honor*
.-= Kyeli´s last blog ..How can small businesses change the world without being evil? =-.
Thanks so much, everybody, for celebrating this move with me! I really appreciate the support and cheers. It helps so much to be in touch with such an amazing, caring group!
@Emma – Rah, indeed!
@Mark – I think I’ve been unemployable for quite a while already. I’ve just been faking it. Badly. ;-)
@David & Havi – So excited to be joining the party with you guys! Pass the red pills! (See? Now that I’m not an employee, I don’t have to worry about how that sounds.)
@Grace – Wise, you are. I wondered if people were going to figure it out before the cat was out of the bag.
@Michelle – “But I’ve been learning lately that the scary stuff is the stuff that ends up being most worthwhile, & I could never live with myself if I don’t see where this path leads.” YES! That’s exactly it – there are times when I can’t sleep because this is so scary, but I know I have to try it. Glad we’re both saying yes!
Your post (including Hiro’s reference) bring to mind the “Dust Problem” – kind of in reverse. For you, if you stay in your job, the dust accumulates on the top of picture frames hanging on the wall, until one day, you see it and think, “Holy Cow – how did all that dust get there.” Leaving your job is swiping the dust off the top . . . and once again seeing how damn perfectly the frame goes along with the picture.
Godspeed on your Journey
.-= Dave Thurston´s last blog ..Red&Gray – Envelopes (Freedom) =-.
Congrats! That’s exciting news!!!
.-= Jennifer Lee´s last blog ..Right-Brain Business Plan Workshop =-.
Hi Victoria!
First of all, congratulations! I know what a huge decision this must have been and am truly inspired by what you have done. I have struggled with many of the things you mentioned in your post. Word-for-word, I completely related to what you wrote.
I wanted to let you know that your post inspired me to take a big step today. I’d been pondering the idea of asking my boss if I could go to part-time for several weeks. My gut is telling me that something needs to change and all signs point in that direction. When I sat down at my desk this morning and read your words, I knew that today was the day.
So thank you. I’m not sure what’s going to happen next, but I do know that I’ve taken a step in the right direction. Thanks for putting a fire under me at the exact right moment.
.-= darrah´s last blog ..inspiration monday =-.
@Dave – I love that analogy! Here’s to dust-free picture frames!
@darrah – Wow. I am covered in goosebumps after reading your comment. Thank you so much for sharing this. Big cheers to you for deciding to take that step. It’s a big one (I did the same thing back in June), but by taking it, the universe (or whatever name fits for you) seems to take a step toward us, as well. Wishing you all the best, and I hope you’ll let us know how it goes.
Oooh! Biggest, most congratulatory hug ever! And now you never have to do SQL, unless you want to :D
Yay, Victoria! Congratulations and lots of warm wishes in the transition.
Congratulations!!!
I thought you were already doing that, actually :P But awesome!!
Everything is hard in its own way.
I have had jobs that were so awful for me that I became physically ill on a regular basis – I had bronchitis for two months, for crying out loud! Nausea, fever, headaches, and so on. I thought something was wrong with my health, but medical studies showed I was fine. Oh, the power of the mind and of our bodies! It’s a pain in the ass sometimes… but it’s wise, too!
So congrats on that big leap!! You know what is best for you.
“Go confidently in the direction of your Dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined!” – Thoreau
Welcome, Victoria!
Now in the middle of my second year of self-employment, I can say it’s worth it. I’ve actually been puzzling out just this issue on my own blog. A few weeks ago, I began writing a series called “Passion Pays the Bills” and it’s kind of a summary of the steps you take to start doing what you love (and still pay the rent).
As we say in the music biz, “break a leg!”
singingly,
sg
.-= Sarah M. Greer´s last blog ..Passion Pays the Bills: Walking =-.
おめでとう! Congratulations! Very brave, exciting stuff here. Good start to a Monday for me, good start to a wonderful new life for you.
.-= Sandra´s last blog ..Super Mario Mario =-.
Congratulations! This is a wonderful step and I’m sure you will be successful.
.-= Sherri´s last blog ..Photo Friday: Cypress Trees =-.