Outfit Details: c/o Mint Julep Doing Something Right Vest (size medium) & c/o Mint Julep You Call The Shots Pants (size medium)
Where do I begin? After 8 years of working as a Corporate America employee, I recently transitioned out of the only world I knew. I am working for myself, officially! It’s been almost two months and I sometimes still have to pinch myself that I am actually living that full-time blogger life! So far, the full time blogging life has been liberating, rewarding, and refreshing but it’s not without challenges. This life is everything that I’ve imagined, yet still, nothing like I thought it was going to be.
In today’s post, I will share some of the behind the scenes stuff of what’s been happening in Cubicle Chic HQ. And of course, the less-than-glamorous details of the life of a newbie full-time blogger.
So, what is it REALLY like?
Honestly, it was initially a bit overwhelming to realize how much freedom I have. What’s the most difficult to deal with is the fact that meetings no longer run my day. I realized the rigidity and the formality of the corporate world that I thought was restrictive, actually provided structure and routine for my work days. The lack of it in my life now threw me off initially– I thought I could just go about my breakfast and morning coffee routine, then go straight into writing mode every single day. WRONG. I wandered around the house, contemplated if I should vacuum the carpet, read the 17 books laying around waiting for me to finish, or play with the cats for just 15 minutes. I’d inevitably end up doing whatever was on the path of the least resistance. Lo and behold, it was to play with the cats for 30 minutes (it was never JUST 15 minutes…) Every thought about getting more coffee, juicing for myself, grabbing a clementine for a snack, turned into a detour of something else, and I’d lose track of time. By the time I remembered the task I was supposed to be on, 2 hours had gone by.
To be 100% honest, I am still trying to find a routine that works for me. As of right now, I am still kind of winging it every day. On top of the new schedule and related discipline that I need to develop, I have also been dealing with a bit of a health issue. More on that later, but it definitely has not been easy. If you know of any productivity advice for freelancers, please let me know!!
Outfit Details: c/o Mint Julep Doing Something Right Vest (size medium) & c/o Mint Julep You Call The Shots Pants (size medium)
If you could wave a magic wand and change something about the blogging life now, what would it be?
A fixed schedule.
The Will Power to do it all.
Some more funds to make spending on my business feel less of a pain.
People that understand what I’m going through. Someone who’s been through this that can share with me what it is that lies in my path ahead.
Are you thinking about hiring a business coach?
Someone recently asked me during a conversation about my blog and business “if I had mentor or a business coach” and I was a bit dumbfounded. Obviously, my answer was no but as I was answering “No.” I realized how silly that is. Why have I not thought about getting a business coach or mentor? On this path of so many unknowns, why did I think I could, or that I should go at it alone? The woman that I chatted with promised to send me a few contacts so I could seek out some expertise. I also started to chat with others in hope of finding someone I can look to as a mentor… but neither front has proved fruitful so far. But I have not given up! If you know a good business coach or blogging coach you’d like to recommend!
That’s a lot of things that haven’t gone your way. What are some silver linings?
I am practicing re-framing more, and this is one example. When things don’t go my way, I re-frame my thinking my counting my blessings. And good gracious, I am SO. BLESSED.
First of all, amongst all of the slacking and procrastination, I did manage to read a lot of books. Books on positive psychology, books about Native Americans, books written by Virginia Woolf and Oscar Wilde (I’m on this 19th century classic English literature hunt) and read more Real Simple and The Atlantic magazines than what are sitting in my living room available. Intellectually, my tank is feeling very full.
We were also able to go on our honeymoon in February to Hokkaido and Maui which was an absolute BLAST. It was a much-delayed honeymoon since our wedding in March 2017, so we made sure we were unplugged, fully present in the moment when we were away. We enjoyed every bit of the trip with memories that would last a lifetime!
Outfit Details: c/o Mint Julep Doing Something Right Vest (size medium) & c/o Mint Julep You Call The Shots Pants (size medium)
We Took A Getaway Trip to Paso Robles In Mid-March
This was the first weekend-getaway that we took with me being a freelancer. And because my weekends are no longer breaks when I stop working it was important that we stay at a business-friendly hotel. The Springhill Suites hotel in Paso Robles was everything a work-from-home freelancer could hope for – fair pricing, business-friendly hotel facilities, friendly and super responsive staff. The rooms we stayed in was very spacious and demarcated into a living space and a working space. I love that about hotels – even when you’re traveling you have a sense of work/life balance!
It was a simple but refreshing trip. At the Springhill Suites in Atascadero, I felt like I was treated like a queen! The complimentary breakfast next was basic but nutritious and fulfilling and that was all we needed for the weekend. Thank you so much for the treat, Springhill Suites!!
Conclusion
Finishing this blog post actually made me feel like I am catching up with my inner SUPER SUCCESSFUL blogger. I vow to bring you more valuable posts more frequently in the upcoming months. Don’t be a stranger.. drop by and say hi when you visit Cubicle Chic! <3
Disclaimer: I was provided a 2-day free-of-cost stay at this Springhill Suites facility in exchange of my honest review. Because of the rain that weekend, we ended up staying for one day which was a shame. I wish I’d spent more time at this beautiful facility!