Tomorrow, Friday March 23, my new life begins. When someone asks me what I do for a living, I will no longer say Associate Director of Blah Blah Blah at XYZ Inc. Instead I will say I’m a travel blogger, a writer, owner of There’s So Much to See, a world traveler, a Capoeira Instructor, a photographer. I happen to prefer any and all of those titles.
But if I’m being honest, I have to admit I’m still a bit shocked by the whole idea of it. This new me.
I had always seen myself in a corporate setting; somewhere between business suit and business casual. Someone with a corporate credit card and an electronic photo badge on my hip. I had never seen myself as a business owner, a creative writer, a martial arts instructor.
A small part of me cringes a little as I write this. I know that some of my co-workers will be reading this blog for the first time and I’m a little self-conscious about calling myself a travel writer or a martial artist. These are not the job titles I climbed the corporate ladder to achieve. This is not why I spent thousands of dollars at Georgetown University earning a business degree. This is not why I interned in Fortune 500 companies during college summers.
I am not disappointed by the choices I’ve made as they have led me to this point. I’m not so sure I took the most direct route to get here, but still I got here. So it may take me a little while to get used to this “new me”. I think being on the road for a few months will help me put things in perspective. I just hope a year from now, 5 years from now, I am still able to have my job title match my passion. I think that is the ultimate sign of success.
So one more day to go! Wish me luck!
I LOVE that you’re doing this! I’m cheering you out into the world and can’t wait to share in your journey. I walked away from a tenure track teaching job… so as I sit with my PhD as a “writer, teacher, consultant” with no clear idea how any of this will turn out, I can feel your fear. Go, be free, enjoy the journey! An army of women cheer you on!
Thank you for stopping by to leave a comment! Sounds like we are both on a similar part of our life journey – so exciting (and a little scary). But exciting and scary are better than bored and numb, any day! But let’s keep in touch – I’d love to know what you end up doing.
That is so cool! Go and enjoy the world – tell us all about it. I’m just creating a small blogger mastermind group, the goal of which is to help fellow bloggers be accountable for their goals, brainstorm ideas and get feedback from each other.
If you are interested let me know and I’ll send you an invite. If not, enjoy your journey, it takes a lot of courage to do what you are doing and it’s nice to see someone taking a chance.
Hi Kate! Thanks for stopping by and for the support! Yes – please me info about your group…it sounds interesting!
You WILL do it! My mom always told me “fake it til you make it” and for the last 3 years I’ve been travel writing on the side. You put in your time just like any other job and you ARE climbing a ladder….just not the ladder you thought it would be.
My last day of work was today too – I’ve done this before but this time it’s a much more solid plan and I quit to be a PAID travel writer. Ahhh it’s so great when a plan comes together ain’t it?
Much luck and many blessings to you.
This is fantastic, girl! Congrats to you. Its so good to hear success stories like that. And thank you for the encouragement – i know it won’t be a fast or easy journey, but I’m willing to give it a shot. Hope we get to meet in person one day soon…may just have to drag myself down to Jamaica to make it happen.
I am so so so envious! Congrats and blessings to you! See you in Spain!
Oh whatever, Oneika! You travel more than the rest of us and you manage to hold down a job. Hahaha. Brilliant! Thank you, sweetie and yes! See you in Espana!
ENJOY IT! I left my job in 2010 and moved to France 4 months later. The. Best. Decision. EVER!
The only person who can define ‘success’ for you is you. What may seem daunting now will seem so ho-hum in a couple years. Just continue to move forward with the aim that you’re doing thing for you and for your happiness. Everything else will follow. I congratulate you and I look forward to your future posts!!!
Tanya! Truer words were never spoken…you’re so right about defining success for yourself. I still get caught up sometimes, but I’m working on it. Great blog, by the way and I love your story! Taking off for the south of France ALWAYS seems like a good plan!
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This is wonderful! I love the first paragraph 🙂
All the best and enjoy this new life.
Thank you, Carminelitta! I know you made the leap a few months before I did – thanks for setting a good example! Hope to see you in Europe this summer!
I am so proud of you!! Follow your passion!! And I will continue to live vicariously through you for years to come!!
Maybe your travels will bring you to New Mexico and you can visit us.
Love ya!
LaMonica! I think I still have a ways to go to catch up to all your travels. But feel free to follow along as I make this journey and let me know if you want to meet me a long the way (I’m sure the boys must be ready for their first passport stamp soon).
OMG Nailah! Welcome to the club! What an incredible journey you are embarking on. We knew when we met you at WDS that it would be only a matter of time. So excited to hear about this new chapter in the story of your life. Kudos again for having the courage to take bold action in the face of uncertainty!
We are SO PROUD OF YOU !!!
How about this title: Chief Executive of Operations, Globetrotting-Asskicking-Photography Division
Your friends in World Domination,
-Marv.n.Jo
I LOVE that title. Hahaha – you two are great and I truly appreciate the supportive words. My only regret about taking this trip is I can’t make it back for WDS 2012, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed for 2013! And maybe I’ll have something to present at 2014.
Congrats Nailah:
This is truly The Year of the Woman! We can do anything that we set our minds to. I’m a friend of your mom’s. I just moved back to Massachusetts to begin a new life. It’s scary but so much better than before. Life is all about attitude and you have a fabulous one. Carry on and good luck in all that you do.