Hi everyone! It's Monday…and it's July 10th. There is huge significance in this date on the calendar for me, and I wanted to take just a few moments to write about it here. My blog is my creative space, but it has also served as kind of a life journal for me over the past eight years. I journal here, and write my thoughts about important events, and I like to go back and read to see where I was and how I was feeling – as well as how my art has changed over time. Today is the two year anniversary of the day I took the biggest leap of faith in my entire life and quit my very secure and steady corporate career of 30 years to become a self employed creative professional! It's like another birthday – the day I started the journey to become my true self and integrate my life with my work. The leap of faith that confirmed who is in charge, and confirmed that I will always be provided for. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think of how major this life change was. I'm filled to the brim with gratitude, and a feeling of responsibility to honor the ONE that makes it possible. All glory and power to God for blessing me with the opportunity to live this new kind of life!
People ask me all the time what it's like to be a creative professional and to make my living as a photographer/blogger/designer. There is no easy answer to that question! It's the hardest thing I've every done, but it also makes me so very happy. It's really hard to earn a living this way. I do not want to sugar coat it or act like my life is perfect in any way. I am so at peace though. Truly at peace with where I am and what I'm doing, and the opportunities that come my way. I'm grateful for every person that hires me to create, write, photograph, blog, etc.
There have been about a million lessons in the past two years. It's been a real roller coaster of high highs and low lows. People have shown up for me in ways I never dreamed of. People have also burned me in ways I never dreamed of. No one talks about the non glamorous parts of being your own boss lady! Contracts, and asking people to pay their invoices, and broken appointments… It's all a process, but there is way more good than bad. My life is simpler now. I stay home a lot, I cook for us a lot and my husband and I are closer than we've ever been. We spend time together here at home, instead of out running around shopping and spending money. I have decluttered our home and our lives. It's wonderful. And it feels more meaningful to me. I may not be able to live this way forever since I am not earning a big income, but the break has been amazing. I am forever changed and the past two years have allowed me to regroup and breathe and think and BE. I spend a lot more time in reading and studying the Bible and in prayer. I feel compelled to use what has been given to me (1 Peter 4:8-11) to bring glory to God.
My life and my work are now the same thing and that's what I was striving for. Before I always felt like two different people. Monday through Friday Wanda and Weekend Wanda. In my corporate life I had to be hard and factual and analytical almost all the time. But the real me is much softer and gushier and more emotion and people oriented. Now, I work at midnight sometimes, and sometimes I can go out and play in the middle of the day. Not having my time structured for me is awesome. I am not a morning person, and this new life allows me to wake up and get my day started without having to fight road rage at 6am on the way to the office. Total blessing! I miss my steady paycheck and I miss the office camaraderie, but not a lot else about that life. Now, I have a really cute furry office assistant and I listen to music all day! I have been given the gift of time. Time to learn new things and meet new people and be more present with my friends.
Gratitude is the center of my day, and being a faithful steward of God's grace is my goal. I'm a work in progress and that's totally okay. I celebrate this two year milestone by planning my week ahead and hoping for new opportunities and jobs, and new ways to encourage and engage others through my works and my words.
I wish you a happy week ahead! XOXO
Comments
33 responses to “Marking an anniversary today….”
Congratulations Wanda and happy anniversary!!
All best wishes to you as you continue your journey.
I enjoy your art work so much and especially appreciate your courage.
🙂
Wow! So significant! Love how aware you are and how much you appreciate the changes in your life. Happy for you, Wanda.
Congrats and Happy Anniversary! I love how you inspire others and share the real you.
What a great day! Congratulations and happy anniversary, my sweet friend! Wishing you many, many creative adventures to come! Love you!
Happy Second Anniversary, dear Wanda!! I love your authenticity as you follow your creative path. Celebrating all of the new ways you have grown… with much admiration!💕
Congratulations! Your courage and honesty and authenticity are inspiring (as is your creativity)! Thank you for all you do.
LOVE! Wanda, you are such an inspiration! I recently took a big leap of faith and did something that scared me and there is NOTHING better than trusting our Lord! It strengths our faith and relationship with the Lord. My life is also far from perfect but His peace is worth the struggles.
Happy anniversary Wanda! Thanks for sharing. It is encouraging to those of us that have not yet taken that leap of faith in our lives. I pray you will have many more years in your journey, with more ups than downs! God bless you!
I’m happy for you. Wishing you more good on your journey.
Happy Anniversary! Thank you for sharing your journey and a special glimpse into what makes you, a wonderful YOU.
Congratulations! I always enjoy reading you blog and your beautiful creations.
Happy Anniversary, Wanda! I remember when you took that giant step–hard to believe two years have passed! Here’s to many more years of a happy, crafty life! Amen!
Very well written!! Happy Anniversary! I’m sure that was pretty scary! One thing I like about being my own boss is my life is truly my own! I literally make my own schedule – now that means working 7 days a week most weeks. But it’s what works for me!
Happy Anniversary my dear Friend!!
SO well said..
you have been given the gift of time…such a precious gift..
Such a sweet blog post too!!!
I am Grateful too..that it has brought you many good things..sad about the bad part and hurt it has given you…but Life is about good and bad …..
Love you!
Holly.
Wanda,
A beautiful testimony of His faith!
I LOVE your work, you are definitely using your gifts and sharing with us.
Thank you Sister in Christ!
Thank you for your testimony of faith. I’m sure God will continue to bless because you are giving Him the honor and glory by sharing His wonderful work in you. Blessings!
Happy Anniversary, Wanda! I’m so glad you took the leap and made the decision to become a full time blogger, creator, and photographer-especially since you share much of it with all of us!
Cheers to many more years of creativity!
Congratulations on your anniversary. It’s wonderful you are enjoying your life without the corporate world. I agree. It’s a different life not being in the corporate world. There is so much more to life than that paycheck.
Congratulations Wanda on your Anniversary! I could not be happier for you! There is something to be said for a slower paced life and minimal income… I know b/c I was a SAHM and I had a little flack from a few who treated me as though I was “less than” because I didn’t have a “career”! It was a choice my husband and I made for the sake of our family and I have never regretted it. You have no idea how many times my children have said how glad they were that I was always here when they got home from school. Some things money can’t buy! Yes, there were “lean times” (money wise) but we were rich in so many other ways! I can feel that in you now, in your post! So happy for you!
Happy Anniversary! It is hard to step out in faith, and I am glad that you had the opportunity to do so. God has blessed you with the gift of time and you have used it well!
Happy Anniversary Wanda. What a positive an heartfelt post. I love your courage and so appreciate your talents. Wishes for many more years of this new found freedom. Wednesday is my wedding anniversary. Proud to say 31 years with my true love. Hopefully lots more to come. Have a great week!
Wanda, thank you again for being so open about your life!! It is so encouraging and you never know who needs that inspiration and blessing you so freely share. May God continue to bless your work !! Your GA fan, Julie L
Congratulations on your anniversary…here’s to another year of amazing creativity and inspiration!
Awesome blog post. Congratulations on your Anniversay 😘
How quickly these 2 years have gone by – seems like just a while back I read about your new adventure in life, and oh my, where your decision has taken you, Wanda! Thankfully, it has allowed us to continue seeing all your amazing creations (and more of them). Congrats on this milestone and may you have many more!
Happy Day! Good for you!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful post, Wanda! Congrats on your two year anniversary! Being at peace and serving the Lord is so more important than the weekly paycheck. I know some aren’t able to do it, but one must do what is the best for them. I know, too, after quitting my job two and a half years ago that I’m happier and healthier. Continued peace and blessings to you, Wanda! Take care, hugs!
Congratulations Wanda! Thousand miles to go before you sleep, best wishes from me 🙂
Congrats & Happy Anniversary, Wanda! I always enjoy reading your blog. Thank you for sharing your personal journey with all of us. What a blessing it is to know that you’re living in the will of God. There’s no greater & satisfying feeling in all the world.
Hugs & Blessings,
Sharron
Wow, great post, Wanda. Love to hear how others have taken the “leap of faith”. Congratulations and thanks for being here and sharing your gifts.
Happy Anniversary ! Keep creating. You inspire us!
Great testimony of God’s faithfulness.
Wanda, I appreciated getting to know you better through this post. Congratulations on your 2 year anniversary and all the positive changes that go along with it. I also appreciate hearing the negatives as well as the positives of this change. Sometimes I think we tend to think that creative professionals have the dream job without thinking too much about the “down sides” of which there are usually some in any job. Your honesty may just snap some of back to reality (especially on day’s that may not be going so great at work). Enjoy! Look forward to your latest projects.