First Step

It’s easy to be unhappy. It’s easy to blame others for where we are in life, and why we aren’t where we want to be. We spend our childhoods forced to listen to adults, authority figures, parents- constantly telling us what to do and how to do it to their standards. Then, we get our first, second, third jobs with supervisors and managers again telling us to ‘do this, don’t do that’. It’s easy to feel like you have no control and blame others for lack of career, direction, or success. NEWSFLASH- you do. YOU have control over your own life. If you don’t like the set of rules your given, change the game.

There are and always will be various considerations, or factors that impact your daily life- bills, kids, spouse(s), food, pets, etc. Again, it’s easy to say “I can’t change jobs because I need to pay the bills”, or “I need the flexibility of this job because I need to get the kids to daycare”. The limitations are always justified. I’m fortunate enough to have an incredibly supportive husband that believes in ALL the plans I always come up with. From Veterinarian one day, to Special Agent another day, I’m like the walking career day spokesperson. I don’t know about you, but I never KNEW what I wanted to be when I grew up. Heck, I’m still growing up. How does any one person indefinitely know ‘This is what I’m meant to do’? To those people that have constant steady unbreakable goals and dreams, I envy you. I’m still trying to find a balance between responsible, fun, flexible, enjoyable, and fiscally smart career options. How do you plan for the future, while living for today and preparing for the worst? Well, I think I’m getting close… to an idea.

I frequently come up with plan after plan after plan on how to accomplish my perfect life. Not a perfect life, as I don’t really believe there is one perfect scenario for everyone, but there is a perfect situation for me. One that allows me to enjoy my day job, gives me flexibility to spend time with my children before they’re adults and moved on with their own lives, the stress free environment to enjoy hobbies with my husband, and free time to enjoy with the pets. I know a lot of that is centered around time, so how is it possible to be successful with so little time? Well, I finally took my first step. It’s one thing to make plans, but it’s another to actually put it into action. It is incredibly terrifying to change life as you know it. To change the steady secure job, biweekly pay checks and benefits, but I’m on track to do just that and my amazing husband helps to remind me that one day it will be possible.

Now, to be clear- I’m not talking drastic change over night. I’m not that crazy, nor am I pushed to a position where that’s necessary. I am however in a great position to dedicate small amounts of time to practice and perfect something small on the side. A hobby I can eventually turn into a small business, which can grow over time and expand to various aspects to encompass both my vision and my husband’s. It’s great to dream big, but it’s another to actually start working towards that dream. Well, I finally did. I finally made something. I took a birch tree and handmade coasters for a birthday present, and it was a hit! Again, it’s something small, but it was a huge feat for me. I have a hard time following through with just about anything that’s not necessary for daily production of the house. It was such a confidence boost and a sense of accomplishment. 

It IS possible. It’s possible to change the rules we live by, to change our perception of life to happiness. It’s easy to get caught up with what others have, but social media isn’t reality. Your life is what’s real. Do what makes you happy. If you feel you can’t (for one reason or another), I can almost guarantee there is a way- you just haven’t thought of it yet. It may take time, it may not happen over night, but where there’s a will-there IS a way. I hope I can build on my personal success, because one day I want to enjoy waking up for the day and be excited to see what the day has to offer.