A NEW START
Above: Leo says, “Your future’s so bright, you’ve gotta wear shades.”
I’ve been caught up in watching the Olympics lately with good reason — there are so many great moments. So many stories of athletes who have trained hard, dreamed big and put all their energy towards reaching their goals.
I’m not an Olympic athlete in any measure, however I can identify with them because I too have been working hard to create change and growth in my life. Last Friday, I left my full time job to take the next step towards living my dream. It was a scary step to take, but with the support of my adorable husband Jim, my family and friends and Pam from retrorenovation.com, I feel confident that I can achieve my goals. Instead of working for one boss, one company full time like I was up until Friday, I’ll now be continuing to work part time for Pam as a contributing blogger and graphic designer, part time for other clients as a graphic designer, part time for myself working to secure more jobs and on this blog and working to build up my Esty shop.
I know it will be hard work. It won’t pay what my comfortable old full time job would have right away, but there is unlimited potential for success, growth and happiness. I’m excited to hold the reins of my success. I can take myself as far as I can dream.
When I wake up Monday morning, my routine will be different, my commute much shorter, my coworker will be furry (and begging for a walk) and I will be smiling because, though I’m not at the medal podium, I’ve set goals, made plans and am ready to do the work to get me there, someday.
Managing Editor and Graphic Designer for the popular blog RetroRenovation.com by day and part time home improver, interior designer, retro enthusiast, vintage bargain hunter, gardener, cook, artist, picture taker and the brains behind this blog on evenings and weekends.
As an artist who has decided to go the road you have, I wish you the very best!
Thanks Mike S!
The life of a creative is not always easy, but it can be very fulfilling! I know I’ll be happier taking this road, regardless of how it turns out.
Good for you! Will be cheering you on from the stands!
Thanks Rita! It is exciting and scary, but I know I can do it!
Kate
This first step is the hardest! Eventho you will come upon hurdles you’ll overcome them! I believe in you!
TOM
Thanks Tom! You are right, the first step was hard! Now that I’ve taken it, I have a lot of hard work ahead of me, but I am so excited!
It sounds like you have the one thing to go through this journey and that’s, support! Congratulation’s on your new endeavor!!
I do have a lot of support Sandi, and for that I feel very lucky.
Congratulations Kate, and best of luck!
Thanks Uncle Atom!
Congratulations! Good luck to you and please keep us all posted on your new adventures!
Thanks Diana! You know I’ll keep you all posted!
Yay! So happy for you and Jim and Leo
Fall is coming, the season of change and we are so excited for this change you are embarking upon! Keep me updated on how its going!
Thanks Nicole! I’ll surely keep you updated! Fall is my favorite time of year…and change is exciting!
I wish you all the best! Congrats on the big leap.
thanks thatmidcenturyfella! I’m excited for what the future holds!
I laughed at Leo in sunglasses with “The Future’s so bright I’ve gotta wear shades” … one of my favorite tunes by Timbukthree from so long ago. As one of your lifetime supporters and cheerleaders, I know you can do this and applaud your leap from the comfortable to the exciting and challenging. Congratulations and “Yay Kate!”
I figured you would like Leo in sunglasses.
Thanks for always having my back, Mom.
Good Luck, Kate! You and Pam have the best blogs out there! Keep’em coming ! And your Etsy shop is fun too
aww thanks Aleta! Stay tuned…I’ve got more ideas for the Esty shop so I’ll be working on filling the “shelves”
That’s awesome! You’ll do great- I have loved your stuff on retro reno!
Thanks Mollie D! I love writing for retro reno! Glad you are enjoying it!
by the way, it’s so beyond adorable that you respond to every comment, it’s why we love you!
Thanks Mollie D! I try to respond to everyone. If you take the time to leave me a comment, the least I can do is respond!
I recently was lucky enough to find a much better paying, but part time job; I took it, making the leap of faith that I could find enough work to freelance the other half time. It’s been scary, but very much an improvement in my quality of life. I guess what I’m saying is, you GO, sister!
Thanks Laura! It is a trade off – to make the jump to freelance, which is scary but provides a better quality of life. Best of luck to you as well!
Congratulations! I wish you luck. I’ve never been much of a 9 to 5 type person myself, so I’ll be rooting for you!
Thanks Katie!
I, too, started a new kind of life today a big part of which I hope will be filled with more things crafty and building up my etsy shop also. Will consider this along the lines of “Great minds think alike” for both of us
Good luck!
I agree Barb – great minds do think alike! Best of luck to you in your first day of your new routine!
you can do it! i havent had a real job since 2000. i’m a mom, part time blogger and part time ebayer, etsyer and have my own website. it is so much better than wearing pantyhose every day! good luck and enjoy! Van
Congratulations! I came across your blog somehow about a month ago and have really enjoyed reading it. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders and a great aesthetic. I just bet you’re going to go far
I dream of doing something similar someday. It’s inspiring to see other people go for it when I’m so timid about putting myself out there!
Thanks Jen!
Keep dreaming and start doing little things every day to inch you closer to your “leap” moment! For me, the key was in the little steps before the big jump.
Wow! that is huge news. Congrats and welcome to the wonderful world of freelance.
Thanks Policate!
Congrats! You have a great blog and will do well in your endeavors!
Thanks Kelly!
Congrats and good luck! I know you’ll make it.
Thanks nickarmadillo!
Congratulations Kate! Don’t look back- only forward as you now are the master of your destiny.
Thanks! Woah…never thought of it that way…that could be my new title: Kate, master of her own destiny.
Congratulations! I made the jump in late 2011 and have never looked back. I trust the process and know things will work out. Bonus? I’m WAY less stressed these days!
wow, congrats to you too! I’m feeling a little less stressed after only a few days, so I know I’m going the right way!
Atta girl! Live in the NOW! From what I have come to know of you (through your wonderful and truly inspiring blog), you have a great head on your shoulders and not to mention extremely wonderful tastes! I wish you great success on your new road and may it be a l o n g and well traveled one! I’m in your corner (us midwesterners have to stick together you know…even if you may be a Brewers fan…)!
Thanks Sara!
I’m not big on baseball, but I do live in Brewers country…
How did I miss this post?!?!?! SO happy for you!!!! Congrats and good luck!
Thanks Jill! I have quite a lot to do, but I’m excited to be doing it!
I have been reading your blog for a few months or more and really enjoying it. I was super pleased when you and Pam started working together and wondered if this would be the natural next step. Congratulations, I can imagine this will be hard work, but very satisfying and leading to even bigger things.
Thanks Rebecca! I feel very lucky to be able to work with Pam, the queen of retro and I’m excited to see where I can go in this new adventure!