After a few difficult years and opportunities to reflect, this quote seems particularly relevant to me these days. I am grateful for the space to find pleasure in the work I am doing right now - mothering, homemaking, gardening, and running a teeny, tiny business - and for the courage it took to carve out that space. ⁠

Leaving full time work, with benefits, seemed foolish, selfish, and scary whenever I thought about it....Then one day something clicked, and the paradigm shifted - suddenly STAYING seemed foolish, selfish and scary. How can any of us grow, develop, reach our potential and do excellent work when we feel stuck, rushed, numb, or smothered?

It was not as easy as simply opening one door as I closed another behind me. The shift had been happening for years, which makes plenty of sense when big life events are added to the juggling act of “adulting” – children, unexpected illness, debt, job loss, enter stressor here __. At some point I recognized I was getting tired, and this led me to realize that I was the only one who could change that.

I spent time trying to understand myself – the what and why of my happiness, both professionally and personally. My personal pace is naturally on the slower side, so this work did not happen overnight. I used the mental health resources available to me, focused on my breathing and mindfulness, and took time off when I needed to. I also spent time learning and practicing new things; from leaning on others for support to joining an on-line marketing group.

With patience, perseverance and an openness to opportunities, things seem to have fallen into place. I recognize I am a work in progress, and I am open to direction changes as needed. For the moment, I have again found pleasure in my ‘jobs’.

My intention in sharing this snippet of my personal experience is to help you understand me – what I bring into my creative space. I hope that you find what I share to be helpful in your own life.

Thank you for spending time here. I hope you come back often.