Just joining in? Read Part One here :)
I started seriously planning to quit my day job in the spring of 2010. At twenty four I knew a lot about what I didn't want to do, and a little about what I did want to do- I wanted a job where I could be creative, use my design and interpersonal skills, get into exciting debates and conversations and where my my blog would be welcomed as an asset instead of misunderstood as a secret-emo-diary-rant space. I wanted to work on handmade projects and digital projects, to have the opportunity to use the photography and marketing sides of my brain.
I wanted a job that I was pretty sure didn't exist. In the middle of a big conversation about what I wanted for myself, I remember saying to my husband, “I think I'm just doomed!!”
The situation was frustrating. I didn't fit working in entertainment because I didn't want to be married to my work over my family, but I didn't fit into a normal workplace either and I was going to make myself even more unhappy if I kept trying. Jesse and I decided together that the best thing we could do for me, and for our relationship, was to invent something different. It was wonderful and terrifying, and I felt like maybe I was a little less doomed than I thought.
Maybe.
Once Jesse and I had decided that working for myself was going to be the best thing, I went planning crazy. We have a house, two dogs, vet bills, and two cars to juggle- and it's nice to have little extras like heat in the winter. I knew that while this might be best for my heart, I had to find a way to make it work on paper before I could feel good about asking Jesse to make sacrifices for me.
The first thing I did was take a good hard look at our financial situation. At the time Jesse and I were considering selling our house and moving into a larger home- at 730 sq. ft. our house is as cute as a button but is also a tight squeeze. We had already had the realtor come to estimate the listing price and were planning to list in the coming weeks.
I sat down with a pen and paper and made three budgets:
1. Our current financial situation adjusted to be as lean as possible while still saving for emergencies, vet bills, and major house and car repairs.
2. A budget based on Jesse's income + my making minimum wage
3. A budget based on Jesse's income + my making no income
The first budget acted as the baseline of what was working for us, but eliminated what we were able to give up. The second budget gave me a realistic idea of how much I would have to “make up” in freelance + creative income to balance our budget if I left my job and took a lower stress/commitment job that would let me shift my focus to my creative work. The third budget was my ultimate guide- what I would have to make to keep us above water if I was relying just on creative work.
At the time I was exploring all kinds of freelance work- photography, writing, and blog design. I knew I wanted to start an etsy store, and this was a great opportunity to jumpstart my plan, and I was in talks to start designing blogs for Freckled Nest. None of my plans were set in stone but I knew I could put myself into them with everything I had, if I had the chance. As soon as I had broken out the numbers it was crystal clear: I would have to work hard, and we couldn't sell our house, but I could make it happen! We called our realtor and called off the sale, and I started putting my plan into action.
Because of our financial situation there was no way I could quit my job cold turkey, so I planned for the next best thing: I would make my blog as good as I could, do all the paperwork to make A Little Thistle a real registered business, and start working on creative collaborations in the mean time. I worked at my office job, but with a new passion: I knew the end was in sight and I was working there for a reason now! I was saving towards taking a big leap, and that was worth as much paperwork as I could do in a day.
After several months of saving for a “Just In Case” fund, I started taking on blog design clients through Freckled Nest. Soon after I had reached a place when I could jump into my “Step Two” budget, and work a Just For Now job at minimum wage making up the difference with design work.
This was one of the best decisions I made!
I started working at a florist's shop in a cool neighbourhood, working with clients and with my hands. I had some income stability and could take on more design projects, and I finally had the time to start my etsy shop. As my sales grew I started having to get really serious about time management, and within two months I realized that between design and etsy I was already at a place where I could step into my “Step Three” budget! I started planning to take the leap in the new year… and then I got an even better offer!
I'm currently the Project Manager and an Intermediate Designer for Freckled Nest Design, as well as being the co-owner and second in command of Freckled Nest with my mentor & friend Leigh-Ann. I work on my whole creative life in our studio- from my blog to my etsy shop and design work. It's a quirky and cool vintage environment that I have trouble staying away from on the weekends! I never thought it would have happened so quickly, but having a solid plan to follow helped me more than I can express.
My original timeline for going full time creative was two years. The idea was that it would allow me time to produce lots of super high quality work, and express who I am in between my decision and my leap. It put me in a position where I could say yes to opportunities that came my way, and grow gradually according to what was working for me. In the end I went full time in nine months, but I never felt rushed or hurried- I was just working on my two year plan once piece at a time. I gave me drive, motivation, and the goal I needed to make me feel like I was working towards something real instead of hoping for something out of my control to change things.
The past year has been a whirlwind, and I still don't think it's all sunk in! But I'm having so much fun being swept away by it, and I'm trying to embrace every crazy, beautiful moment.
Have you been daydreaming about quitting your day job for your creative hobby?
I'd love to help if I can by answering any questions you might have, and connecting you with my readers who could help! Leave your questions, concerns, and roadblocks you're having trouble navigating in the comments below and I might feature you in the next post in this series! :)
LAST UPDATED ON: January 25th, 2011
CATEGORY: Content Marketing Strategy
Wow Kyla this sounds like exactly this situation I’m in now! I’ve been preparing to quit my job for a few months now…. it will be a huge lifestyle change as I have never been in one place for too long with our current careers. But my fiancee and I just bought a house in the city and we’re getting married and it’s already going to be a huge life change, so why not add the career change in there as well? It’ll be so nice to settle down and have a real home, and be my own boss. Very inspirational post, Kyla. It’s reading this kind of material that makes me understand that I really can do this! I’m going to run my own business!
PS. Found you on B-School…. also very motivating!!! drop me a line whenever and we may be speaking soon anyways because I will require web design in the near future!
I’m so excited to hear from you, Karyn! It sounds like you have a lot on the go, and a lot of motivation too! Good luck with starting your business, and I hope you’re loving B-School- if you ever want to talk shop, send me an e-mail! :)
Kyla, I loved this post. I have been feeling depressed and most of the times i end up being unsatisfactory with me day job. that doesn’t do very well to my life at home, inspiration dies because of all the stress too. however i need the money and thats probably the only motivation I have towards my day job. I have had this thought but not exactly know how to go through with it. I want to be a writer and painter and illustrator. i want my work to be something i love doing not something i do simply because i have to do. Your two year plan is fabulous. this is inspirational and guidance ive been needing for a long time. Thank you. :) <3
This was an inspiring piece! I think you’re absolutely right about having a deadline. I’m a graphic designer who works as an in-house designer for a corporation (It’s kinda cool but I hate the corporate atmosphere!) I need the money right now to pay off debts, but I definitely plan to leave if not this year then definitely next year. I just started my own graphic design business with a few clients here and there but not enough to be self sufficient. I want to be able to make the transition and give my day job my 2 weeks! I know alot of time and dedication has to go into building my company. I just find myself being creatively drained by the time I get home after work so maybe 3-4 days a week im actually working on my brand. My day job is soooo draining especially b/c I’m their only designer and everyting is on me! I started changing my eating habits so i’ll have more energy and can get my creative juices flowing even after work! Your article is definitely motivating and I need to write down my goals like you have. Thanks for the inspiration :)
I was just talking with my husband about the dream to do this same exact thing with my life… Sitting here and thinking of ways to live my life, release my creative side and do things for my family that I could never do before! I tend to be impatient but also stable all at the same time so the idea of doing something similar is complete MIND BOGGLING to me!
I truly appreciate your willingness to share your story and I truly appreciate your courage in doing what you love and confronting a risk that some are too scared to!
You are an inspiration and I look forward to following future posts and sharing my very own story in the future!
Hi I loved this post as wella s the one for your planner. I’m a stay at home mom and REALLY want to start my own business (home based as I have two young kids). any tips? I just started a blog but havent put anything on it yet. No experiance. I make journals and jewelry and have plans for other crafts. How do I get myself out there?
You are somewhere in Canada, I am in South Florida – about to take the leap you did. Thanks for this inspiring post that I stumbled upon via A Beautiful Mess via Freckled Nest (LA) via whatever.
I can do it!
Such a great post Kyla! After my trip to Winnipeg and briefly meeting you and Leigh-Ann I felt inspired. I am back in school to polish up my web design & publication skills and have started planning to make web design really work for me. I am realizing that planning for a business isn’t as scary as I have made it up to be in my mind and I am seeing all these little steps I need to take leading me to the end result of achievement. Which is quite rewarding just seeing it all unfold before my eyes.
I am so happy that you followed your dream and how it all started with a vintage bike. There is something magical about cruising around on something of the past that in fact is carrying you into the future.
Thanks for sharing and have a wonderfully inspired weekend.
Much Love,
Crystal
I just commented on your part one post *blush* but I can’t help but ask how you built up your blog… I llooooooove blogging, but am just not sure how to make it more of a “real” thing. any tips?
Just have fun with it and look for opportunities to put your unique spin on what you post. Creating a consistent visual style through your photography is a challenge (I’m still working on the basics!) but I’ve found that it makes a huge difference in how polished a blog looks. Hope that helps! :)
During ‘Indie Biz’ class, I was in the process of getting ready to quit my job and make a fresh start. We were taking one of those huge leaps of faith that wasn’t all fully planned out…we just knew we had to try! If you are planning on featuring other bloggers/designers that have quit their jobs to make a dream happen…I’d be happy to share my story too! :) xo
This is extremely inspirational! Thank you for sharing the details of your own journey! : )
Hi Kyla Roma,
It is such a pleasure to meet you! Thank you so much for all your inspiration!!!! I am daydreaming about having my own (creative) business. Indeed, I’ve been daydreaming a loooong time and now anxious to make it all happen. I loved your advice to set a deadline, CREATE A BUDGET & MAKE A PLAN!!!! May seem obvious, but trust me, this is very solid advice, especially for us creative types. I have a background as a writer and spoken word artist. I have performed my one woman show, “Little Girl Blue,” to great success in my hometown however I want to “take the show on the road!” I also have a specialty as a grant writer, which is what I do on my dayjob. Everyone tells me this is a great skill and I’d love to pursue freelance possibilities so that I can kiss the dayjob goodbye. Another goal is to get really immersed into the blogosphere, I love it when I am here!!!! Thanks again and many blessings for continued success! I adore your blog and website!!!!!
This is such an amazing post and so incredibly inspiring. There’s nothing I want more than to be able to quit my ever-joy-sapping day job in favour of what I love to do but I have zero clue on how to do it! We’ve talked a bit about it… would love to chat sometime soon :)
I want to start the paperwork trail to creating a ligit business. I want to start on etsy and see where it goes. But where should I go to find out what steps to take? I feel like I’m getting mixed messages… Where did you turn?
THANK YOU for sharing these posts. They are so encouraging.
I really want to get into the film business and am in the process of going back to school so I can refine my writing and photography work and maybe build contacts with others. I’m also forcing myself to take part in the various contests in Winnipeg related to film and even got a super8 film screened at a festival (I’m too scared to see it though as I literally just threw it together when I visited my parents).
I’m nervous about devoting my life to something “artsty” as I’ve always been so “Professional”. Your post makes me feel better about taking the plunge and seeing if I can make it as a filmmaker. I’m wishing us both luck.
You’re amazing.
I feel exactly as you did re: 9-5 job. Those 40-ish hours every week are the worst part of my life (luckily for me, it’s an easy, decent paying job).
My husband is amazing and supportive and really can’t wait til I’m able to quit and work from home….
The hopeful plan is sometime 2011!!
I’m going to write it down in the comments here – just to make it more real.
We’re going to hopefully buy a house by the end of the year (while I have a day job to avoid any hassle with proving self-employed income) and then … hopefully … I’ll be able to quit!
hope hope hope
xo
-A
i love this, and i have definitely been daydreaming of starting my own business. you’ve got balls, girl. in the best way.
Oh, Kyla. I hate how envious I am of your situation. You are truly living the dream (in my book!).
I’m realizing that I need to really shift my focus and work as hard as I can to reach my own creative goals! I have a lot of budgeting to do, a lot of talks to have with the husband, a lot of creating to take care of, and a lot of planning to work out. I have so much pressuring me right now, but it’s when I see people like you thriving while doing something they absolutely adore that makes me want to stop settling.
Last year was one of the most challenging years I’ve ever had professionally – and although I don’t have any regrets, I do think that I’ve learned a lot about what I want. What I’m good at. What makes me happy. What makes me upset. What I hope to do more of and what I never want to do again. I’m trying to take all of this and use it to motivate myself towards my ultimate goal: being a full-time creative.
Thank you for reminding me that it is possible.
I love reading this (I wish I had this last year for sure.) I was also in your shoes once but I sorta just jumped and got REALLY lucky. My business took off and I had no plan at all, which made it really hard but exciting. Plans would have made it so much easier. I love what you did and I’m so happy that everything has worked out so well for you!
Still working through my photoshop for dummies book, but once I do I’m slapping your face on the Rosie the Riveter poster. You will be the poster girl for all the creative ladies sitting in cubicles. So, so excited for you!
What a wonderful post to discover your blog to. :) Seriously, my dream/goal is to get out of the 9 to 6 office routine and become my own boss. I will gladly accept the longer hours that comes with that but I know it would be so much gratifying. I finally decided this year to really push myself toward that, no more excuses. Your story is so very inspiring!
Thanks for sharing your story with us! I’m somewhere in that transition phase myself and this was a great reminder for me of why I am where I am. Last September I quit my day job to focus on the small biz my bff and i started up back in 2007 full time. I’m doing it solo now (at least officially; she’s a full time mamma but still helps me brainstorm ideas from time to time) and sometimes it gets lonely in my studio alone! I am so thankful for blogs!! It’s always encouraging to hear that I’m not alone in wanting to create my own place in the “work force.”
It’s wonderful that you were able to make it all happy so quickly without feeling rushed!
You have the most wonderful timing. I made this year my “Quit My Day Job” year and am in constant need of encouraging posts like this one. Thank you so much for being amazing! I’d love to know how you market your services as a designer to get commissions. I know that as an illustrator, commissions need to be a part of my business right now but I’m not sure how to go about marketing something that isn’t a product yet.
You are so amazing and inspiring. Hearing about your success is such a positive reading experience.
I love these posts! When I make a plan, it always makes me feel like things are more under control & like I’m moving forward, even before any actual action…so inspiring to see you make your life into your dream!
Thanks for sharing your journey! It is so inspiring! I’ve recently become a stay at home mom and an etsy seller. We’ve had some success on etsy, but I’m ready to take it to the next level. I’m living in a tiny apartment with little creative space, so it’s hard to stay inspired to make things…I’m hoping this gets better soon!
Kyla, you are SO inspiring!!! Thank you for sharing your journey!
It takes courage to quit the day job for something less financially secure (But a billion times more awesome!) and I totally respect anyone who has the guts to do so! :)
I myself am wanting to quit my day job and work in a creative environment, but am having troubles deciding what I want to do (I have too many creative interests!) Plus we want to start saving for a house, so I am a little scared to leave a position where I have guaranteed income… *sigh*
I am in the process of cutting back my hours and going from employee to contractor in order to pursue my dream of being my own boss! I am so scared! and yet so excited! How did you handle the intial nervousness?
I’ve been following you for awhile, and you’re a great source of inspiration to me! I’m fairly creative (although I can’t knit to save my life!) and 7 months ago I became a qualified nail technician. It’s more of a hobby I’m doing from home right now, but I’d like to think that in a few years time, with careful planning and budgeting, I can make the leap like you have…
Thanks for sharing how you did it!
A few years ago I was very dedicated to web design. I designed my own blog – from the template to the graphics. While I completely loved the coding part of it (That’s the science/programming geek in me), I just never thought I would be a good designer. At one point I want to study computer science and engineering and be completely devoted to those fancy languages like C or C+ or whatever is out there.
I love what you do and am excited to see where you will be going with your work in the future. :)
This is a well written, well thought out and very inspiring reality!
I love this. And I just discovered your blog today whilst perusing Yes and Yes. I love your blog. You’re so courageous! Goodess!
So, I love blogging. It’s my favorite thing to do. I’d love to do it professionally one day. I recently paid to have some custom art made for my header to vamp my blog up a bit. My questions for you are:
1. How did you go about getting your follower number up?
2. What are the most important things I should know about making my blog a fabulous one (such as yours)?
3. Are looks most important?
4. When is it to early to take out a sponsor ad on a bigger blog, say for example, Yes and Yes?
5. How do you keep your blog cohesive? I feel like my blog is just random though after random thought. Haha.
Thanks so much for all you do to inspire all of us!
ahhhhh kyla, thank you for being my inspiration soul sister! this is beyond awesome, and so encouraging! can’t wait to make some of these lists in my new handy dandy personal planner :)
xoxo mackenzie
Inspiring! Your so organized! I love your story, and love how you went about everything, so thought out and calculated!
I am usually so very organized, but with two little ones I fall short in some areas now. I have been daydreaming about making my blog my full time job, and maybe write and style for other publications. One day, one day! Your such a wonderful inspiration!! Thank you for this post!
I really admire you for making specific plans and achieving your goals. I think it’s awesome. Even though I’ve spent the majority of my twenties working on my Ph.D., sometimes I wish I didn’t have to spend so much time teaching. I do like teaching, but it’s pretty much all-consuming and doesn’t leave me time for much else. I’d love to be able to write full-time, but unfortunately that won’t happen until I make a specific plan on how to earn a living through writing. But you’ve definitely inspired me to make my own plans.
Love your blog!! I am hooked ;)
I love this story. I think its great that you have the full support of Jesse and that you did so much examining, thinking, and planning to make this creative life happen for you. It did happen so much faster than you had anticipated but I think that the timing was perfect for you. You know how much I adore you, right?
I really enjoyed reading this post; it gave me a realistic and informative vision of what it takes to make dreams a reality. I often wish that I could be my own boss and do the creative things I love for a living, but at this point I feel like it’s impossible (“doomed’ for sure, to use your word). This definitely gives me hope.
inspiring lady. <3 i'm SO happy you're sharing this journey with us… :)
kyla, i just recently started reading your blog and am really enjoying it! reading a step – by – step process of how you quit your day job is very helpful. i’ve been working at the same place for 6+ years, even though i meant to move on a long time ago. looking forward to reading more…
Very inspiring-I dream of leaving my job almost every day I am there. I would love to have my own yoga studio (and maybe hooping classes). I’m currently doing a yoga teacher training course.
Thank you so much, Kyla, for sharing your story and inspiring us, I think you can tell by all the comments above how helpful it is to hear about your journey! I’d like to share, as briefly as I can, my journey so far because if you have any advice or comments you’d be able to give me I’d be so very grateful.
I took the Indie Biz class last year too, loved every moment of it, it soooo inspiring! I launched my handmade business in the summer with an etsy shop, followed by joining a big marketplace website in the UK (the biggest but they take a hefty commission as well as charging to join, be in catalogues etc). Etsy hasn’t worked out for me really but the other marketplace site is working quite well. I also launched my own webshop in October and I’m finding it hard to get traffic, I know in part because I’m not able to find the time! I still work at my day job three days a week and I can’t afford to leave until I know I can make a similar wage myself within about six months of quitting. I find it so hard to find the time to make products, photograph and list them, make and wrap orders, write my blog, twitter and facebook, think of ways to promote my business and all the time I want desperately to leave my part-time job and do my own business full-time! But then I also have bouts of major fear that I’m never going to succeed, that my products are no good and that I’m fooling myself!
Sorry, I didn’t mean to go on so, but any advice would be very gratefully received. And thanks again for sharing, and for writing such a fab blog in general! x
I love this so much, Kyla! It’s all about taking a leap of faith to follow your heart, but with some reality in there! It really inspires me to get working on that book I want to write, to finish it and began pursuing the path to become a published novelist. Two years! I’m giving myself that timeline right now!! :)
Kyla – I feel like you are telling my story! Except where you get to the good part… I’m currently working at a 9-5 to “pay the bills.” My husband works with youth at our church, so I’m the majority bread winner at this point. I’ve always wanted to have my own business, which is what I studied at University… I just haven’t figured out doing what yet! I love the creative aspect and I feel like that’s what is missing most from my current job. How did you learn graphic design? Did you go to school for it or just dabble on your own? I am loving the “quit your day job” posts!
This is such an inspiring and helpful post. Thanks for giving your insight – I am definitely taking it to heart!!
Congrats, that’s so exciting. I’ve been reading your blog at least the last 9 months and it’s been amazing watching your dream come true!
This is super inspirational! I’d love to do creative work full-time. I currently do it part-time and have other freelance projects that are not quite as creative but still pretty neat. I love hearing success stories like this!
Kyla, you’re so inspirational to me and so many others…please help!
I’m twenty-one, I work in retail and I feel like I’m stuck here, doing the same thing day in and day out. Almost weekly I’ll make up budgets and plans to make the leap and make my life what I want it to be…but nothing ever comes to happen as I want, and I get down-trodden and eventually give up; I expect life to change on its own now, because nothing I seem to do changes anything around me :(
I think I can make an impact if I can pin down my talent and make a bee-line for the career it leads me to…but I’m interested and involved in SO many things, mainly online, that I feel stretched thin, and I become average at absolutely everything I try my hand at. In high school, I concentrated more on writing my “novel” and my friends than my exams, and I fell far below what I could have achieved…university was a real dream of mine, but I can’t get there because I don’t have the grades….to get the grades, I’d have to go to college…but I don’t have the money or assistance available to me to go to college….
As you may be able to tell, I’m caught in a vicious WEB, nevermind circle…any advice for me? :(
thank you for this post kyla. i am so inspired by you…and have been since we first “met” online. it seems like you are “living the dream” of so many and its kind of you to break it down like this so people can see the steps you took to really make it work.
so my question is: how did you really figure out what your niche was?? that is the biggest thing stopping me from moving forward right now. i feel like im falling flat in the online world and i don’t quit know where to focus my time and energy. i have lots of skills, but i don’t see a way to turn those into money makers. so how did you figure out what exactly it was you wanted to do within your creative life??
thanks for your inspiration kyla. you pretty much rock. :) <3
I am currently battling this right now. I would love to quit and pursue my passions. I would love to devote my time to raising children as well. It’s just so hard knowing I am leaving my other half with all of the weight and responsibility of everything. I feel like it would cause more strain than anything. I’m very happy for you to be able to do what you love.
You are so inspiring.
I love that you included deadlines, and you really though everything out, too many people rush into things and get overwhelmed. It’s great to see your dreams unfolding, and being able to do what you love! :)
You’re amazing, Kyla!
very very inspiring read as i’m in the very early stages of going after my dream job as well…my 2011 is to make this the year of ‘laying the foundation’ and hopefully in 2012 i’ll be able to go full throttle at it. fingers crossed!
Oh my goodness I am so in the very middle of this right now! I admire your ability to give yourself 24 months to get through this; I have been hemming and hawing for nearly that long as it’s a different game when there’s a small child completely dependent on the fact that you make him food and have clean, dry clothes for him to wear. Not to say that puppies don’t need things – I know that with two of them here as well! – it’s just a little different. I’m definitely the type when it comes to this type of thing to leap and hope a net appears when I jump. I do very much admire the fact that you’re being so smart & grown up about this!
I think it’s amazing you put so much thought into pursuing a life on your terms. Not many people have the courage to do something on their own, let alone really think about it before moving forward. Just goes to show you made the right choices at the right times and it’s paying dividends handsomely. Yay!
Oops, meant to say PASSION, not compassion. Although i’m sure you have lots of compassion too! But meant your passion for your creative life. :-)
isn’t it wonderful? i just JUST quit my job and i’m so excited for all that i’m going to do. i have so many dreams and i’m just pumped to flesh them out and discover which ones are realistic, which ones have to stay dreams for a little while longer, and which ones i haven’t thought of yet. :D i’m so much happier than i’ve ever been. and a lot of people i know think i’m crazy. and that’s ok.
If you had asked me what I wanted to do with my life 5 years ago, I probably wouldn’t say “I want to sit at a desk for 8 hours drafting and writing reports while being a glorified secretary and website developer.” I’ve always dreamed about doing something with graphic design, and unfortunately, the only creative outlet I had in school was for group projects and presentations. I had the reputation in university of having the nicest presentations that came with user manuals that my profs had “orgasms” over (as told by my guy friends. Kind of sick and creepy now that I think about it).
And now, after graduating, I’m getting paid to sit at a desk for 8 hours a day, doing the same thing I do Monday to Friday, and finding it frustrating because there’s very little creativity involved. The most I can do is make the nicest blueprints for our projects. And no one really notices. My quiet evenings are filled with ambitious plans and things I want to do with my blog, but there aren’t enough hours in my evening to do everything…
Between planning for the rest of my life and working full-time, it sounds like The Ultimate Dream won’t happen until I’m retired. So in the mean time, I will live vicariously through your posts. :)
Maybe one day, I’ll grow a pair and follow your lead.
Your story is so inspiring, Kyla. And the most important thing is that you have a supportive spouse by your side who makes things work for both of you!
I’d love to do more creative work, but unfortunately I think it can never be more than a hobby, as I am the main bread winner in our relationship (and don’t get me wrong, I love my job!), but my husband is the one who wants to try making a living by being creative (with music).
Um, yes, I’ve dreamed about something like this before, most definitely. I just don’t feel I’m as creative as I would like to be, so I need to work on that :)
Your journey is very inspiring..you have planned for & taken a leap that so many people can only dream about..way to make your dreams reality!!
:)
this post is definitely very helpful. I’m probably going to have to bookmark this :)
This was so inspiring. I really love how you broke it down and didn’t give the same tired old reasons that every other blog tells you to do. I know that the biggest thing holding me back right now is fear. Fear that it will be too much and I will some how break my dream, fear that there are so many business end things that I don’t understand that I worry about getting tripped up on. The idea of having a time line and deadlines is such a crucial step that I had never really fully invested in before. Thanks so much for this post!
Kyla, you have seriously no idea how inspiring this is. I definitely have a huge goal to work creatively sometime in the near future. I’m getting out of the military in 3 months, and will be going to school full time. During that time I won’t have to work, so I plan to use that time to explore my creative interests and see what works best for me. My dream is to work entirely for myself. And I believe it can happen, if I work hard enough! Thank you for the encouragement. <3
i just had to leave a comment, although i don’t know what to say except that you are inspiring in every way. you know my situation and i am going to attempt what you have done…maybe in a year things will be different. thank you again for being so kind and helpful.
Okay, this is getting me so pumped. I love, love, love this series. I love photography, using my hands, getting creative, and writing. I would love to design stationery as well and love vintage. As you can see, I’m all over the place. I need to get my thoughts in order and set a plan, but have no clue where to start. Thank goodness for this series. I realize now that I need to get my thoughts in order and on paper.
I can totally relate to your story. I’m about to turn 24 and know that I don’t fit in a typical 9-5 job. I went to school to teach but I know my calling isn’t there either. I just love being creative and would like to turn that into a career. My obvious issue is narrowing down my vision and figuring out how it’ll look for me. My husband is very practical but supportive, he wants me to look for a 9-5 job but is also rooting me on in finding my own vision for my career. I’m at a place right now where I work only a couple days a week, so this is the perfect time to start planning. I guess my thoughts and dreams feel very jumbled…and I’ve written a novel. ;)
Thanks so much for posting this!!! I’ve been dreaming of quitting my day job and turning my passion into a full time gig for years but I’ve just been waiting for it to happen instead of actually making a concrete plan to MAKE it happen. Today? I shall begin …
“…where my my blog would be welcomed as an asset instead of misunderstood as a secret-emo-diary-rant space” – I’m just BEGINNING to find that place. :) I’m a computer programmer (mostly web development, but some desktop software also) but I’d love to be 100% freelance one day. The one place I’ve been blessed, being that I’m focused on web dev mostly, is that I get to be a lot more creative and work closely with graphic design and marketing. If I was ONLY looking at code all day long, much as I love it, I think I’d go crazy. Ha ha.
Thanks for the inspiration!
I love this – you’re so inspiring! I really like that you broke this down and said here’s how I did it, steps one-three, instead of just “oh I decided to start my own business and it just worked out.” You were very realistic about your dream but you kept dreaming as well – love it!
I would love to switch into something that’s a little more handmade or personal, but as the breadwinner in our household I need the stability of a paycheck and insurance. Also, I’m good at a lot of things, but creating things (jewelry, sewing, etc) so I’m not sure where to start? Any suggestions for things that could guide me or ideas of how to eventually transition (while still of course paying bills and maybe starting a family)?
It’s all I think about. Seriously, every second of every day I run different scenarios through my head about how I could go about quitting my soul sucking 9-5 that i’ve been working for the last six years. I decided to start off 2011 on the right foot and do a lot of the things involved in getting my business off the ground that are expensive (buy more gear, LLC fees, Insurance, different photographer associations, etc…) with the hopes that in the long run it will help having those expenses paid for. Sadly, I can’t leave my day job until I can make exactly what I make there, which is what i’m struggling with I guess? It’s a hard balance to be sure and i’ve given myself the same two year timeline that you have, i’m just hoping i can make the jump as fast as you did! :)
Your story is so inspiring, Kyla! I appreciate you sharing it with us. I love that you have found a way to integrate everything you love to do. I have been working towards envisioning the creative life I want, but I’m finding it challenging to figure out how all my different passions combine (creative/design passions, yoga, healthy living, cooking, teaching, etc). A large struggle for me is my doubts, too– I worry that I’m not entrepreneurial enough to be successful on my own. Do you have any advice for quieting the doubts? … I have the feeling I need to just feel afraid and do it anyways :)
You go girl! I found your post very inspirational. It makes me want to quit my day job and pursue my creative interests in personalized scrapbook design but I just don’t have the guts. I recently had a baby and I’m currently on mat leave. My day job pays well even though it’s not what I’m passionate about. Hubby also has a well paying job but they just laid off a lot of people so it’s not very stable. I really admire your decision to break free from prison. I recently wrote a blog post on the same subject, entitled “Are you in the right career?” but yours is more motivating. Anyway, if you’ve got any advice for me, pls contact me. Good luck with your new ventures!
P.S. Love your name!
Sigh…I would love for either James or I to be able to work even part time and then do our creative projects to make up the rest. We dream about less 9-5 work and more creative and family time (another baby)…I don’t know if it will happen…but I’ve been doing more planning and dreaming lately. This is all VERY helpful!
♥,
A
I so do! You have no idea how timely these posts are for me. (So thoughtful of you! haha)
Interesting to hear one person’s story of making such a huge decision. I envy those who are able to do what you are doing and I think it’s amazing. At some point in the future my husband and I both hope to work from home and this gives me a little more hope it is “doable.”
This is awesome! I love the way you did this, setting plans and deadlines and putting pen to paper! I am starting to write (or I guess type ;) ) out some big goals that I want in the next five years and I’m totally putting deadlines on them. I think that’s going to make all the difference!
This was great to read, I am diving into full-time freelancing again due to lack of jobs in the economy, and it’s always nice to hear about others in different areas of creativity doing the same thing. A budget and just-in-case fund is SO important and makes things much more enjoyable when you know you can focus on the creativity rather than “oh crap I have to hurry up and get this done to make ends meet.” :)
I pretty much think you’re amazing… this story is so inspiring. As much as I adore teaching, if I do dream about one day being able to quit and write full time. I’m slowly picking away at a book project, but it’s difficult when you’re balancing work, family & attempts at a social life.
I’m so happy for you… it must feel amazing to have achieved such a wonderful goal! Congratulations!
What a great post – your story is so inspiring! I am just so impressed by you, lady!
I know I will never be an entrepreneur, but I had to go through this budgeting exercise when I left my job at The Pysch Experiment as I wanted to take a less intense/demanding job to give myself time to heal/move on.
I’m 28 and have a secret-emo-diary-rant space and live in a 4by4 shack full of old memories. I think this is my year of change…perhaps I’ll try write up a budget(I haven’t a clue where to start) and do some planning. I hope to find some handy tips here!
Emo diary rant spaces TOTALLY have their place- it just always makes me laugh when people who know me find my blog, which is linked all over my facebook, has pictures of me all over it and its own .com and assume that it’s a secret that I’m keeping! ;)
Thank you for sharing this, its so inspiring!
This was really interesting and inspiring to read. I’m glad you did what you did.
xx
I love that you did this. I think it’s amazing and inspiring. I like to think I’d do the same if I had any idea what it was I wanted to do with my life. Alas, I don’t right now. But it’s nice to know that if you do and you put in enough time and effort it can work out for the best.