This is a feature of Always Rooney to highlight the good and the bad of “learning as I go” as I document and share about my journey of working for myself, doing what I love & taking time off from school. I want to remember these moments, and maybe…just maybe..other people will be able to relate along the way. I’d love to hear your thoughts and your own journeys (even if they look different) as well please feel free to share.
I felt pressured to continue with school after receiving my associates degree. It was pressure only from myself, I really think education is important and I really enjoyed my first two years of school. I chose a college I was not excited to attend and a major that I was not fully passionate about. A week before school started, I woke up with an overwhelming feeling that I did not want to go back to school. So I didn’t. My plan was to take a semester off and get a full-time job. I had never had a “real job” before so job-hunting odds were not in my favor. I had gone a few weeks and decided on a whim to open my Etsy shopto sell my DIY’s I originally shared on Always Rooney. The original thought was to just have it on the side of my 9-5 job that I would get and maybe a year from now it may turn into something more.
Then I started getting orders. I kept job searching because the thought of working for myself right away seemed like a dream that was too far out of reach. After talking to my parents one night, it hit me that I was making enough from my Etsy that I could no longer job-hunt and focus all my time on what I actually love to do: create things.
I’m almost two months in and I know that doesn’t seem long at all…but I wake up every morning just so thankful that I can stay at home and enjoy my work. I’ve been blown away by the feedback from my shop and the support from everyone. I have so much to learn and I know my shop will shift and evolve, but being here right now, doing what I love is the best feeling.
Through this time, my faith has been built stronger and stronger. I have really seen my faith grow by being inspired by other small business owners and people who start and keep going. Before you start something you are hit with so many emotions: intimidation, feeling defeated, inadequacy, eagerness etc. When you actually start it can be the easiest moments: they are fun, exciting, and fresh. Once you keep going things are tougher and can grow slow & stale. My faith has been built to trust God and know that I am here in this moment and particular season of life for a reason.
A highlight is getting to make my own schedule and make time to travel, but I also try to stay disciplined and I stay up to date on all orders. A really hard part is trusting that orders will come. That can sound so silly to write out…but I’m learning that with failing comes strength and I have to constantly evolve and learn from the little moments of this growing season I’m in.
Right now, I’m still in the “honeymoon” stage of my job…it rules, honestly. I can’t complain and I hope I never will! The mistakes make me grow, as well as doing something new…I’m growing daily and being stretched beyond my comfort zone. Now for the journey: it is only beginning. I’m excited to make goals and see how everything works out. I’m taking things day by day now and believing God that the best is yet to come.
I’m excited as well as nervous to write about what I’m learning because I want to share the good, the bad and the not so attractive side of the journey. Also, this will be fun for me to be able to look back on in the future and see how I’ve changed and evolved. As always…thanks for reading along the way!