I put in my two week’s notice at my full-time job.
All my life, I’ve considered different career paths. Many things jumped out at me… a dolphin trainer, a news anchor, a high school English teacher, a public relations professional. Each one intrigued me, but didn’t really excite me.
When I graduated from college with a degree in advertising and public relations and a minor in marketing, I found myself working in the public relations and marketing field. I quickly learned marketing and living by sales numbers was not for me and I gravitated toward tasks that involved writing.
Brochure and magazine content, press releases, e-newsletters. These were my favorite assignments.
After almost two years in the real world, I realized I wanted a career in writing. I accepted my current job in December 2008, excited to write website content for two large sites, even if the topics weren’t ones that peaked my personal interest.
The Beginning of Blogging
In 2008 I discovered Tina’s blog, Carrots ‘n’ Cake, while reading an article she wrote on Health.com. Her blog led me to discover the healthy living blog community and I immediately fell in love with blog reading. It wasn’t too long after I began reading blogs that a little voice in the back of my head started telling me to start one of my own.
In September 2009, I began Peanut Butter Fingers, thinking it would be a fun hobby that would serve as an outlet to write about topics that interest me – fitness, food and living a healthy, fun-filled life. I figured a blog would allow me to share recipes with friends and family while also providing me with a space to write every day where I could work on my personal voice and writing style.
I never really expected anyone to read it.
In the beginning my readers included my family and Ryan. I began participating in the blogging community by commenting on blogs. Slowly but surely people began commenting my blog and stopping by Peanut Butter Fingers regularly. I was so excited to hear from readers and receive comments from bloggers and the sense of support and genuine care that I felt from people that I had never met in real life was unbelievably moving and motivating. I kept on blogging, looking forward to sharing my life with my small amount of readers three times a day.
A Passion Begins
As the months rolled by, I found myself enjoying blogging more and more. Blogging was my “me” time. It allowed me to write and reflect. To share, laugh, learn and grow. I fell in love with my hobby and felt something inside of me.
I felt a passion begin to form.
Prior to blogging, I never really knew what I wanted to do with my life. I had ideas and career paths that sounded okay, but nothing lit a fire in my heart and brought me to life. Until blogging.
The idea of blogging for a living crossed my mind many times. It didn’t seem like a realistic goal, but it became my dream.
And now it is my reality.
My dream is coming true because of you and your readership… and my heart overflows with gratitude for the support you provide to me every single day.
So, What is My Plan?
I don’t want the core of my blog to change. I have worked very hard to build a blog I am proud of and will strive to keep it that way.
While my blog will serve as my “backbone” and is allowing me to take the plunge and leave my full-time job, I am not depending solely on my blog for income. Not at all. In fact, I hope freelance work is what inevitably keeps me afloat. I have been actively pursuing freelance writing opportunities and my desire is to continue to seek out freelance work regularly.
Throughout the past several months, balancing my blog with my full-time job became too much. I wasn’t pouring all of my efforts into either my blog or my job and I felt like I was spread too thin, approaching both my blog and my job at half-speed. My love for my full-time job, which I absolutely adored in the beginning thanks to fantastic coworkers and a wonderful office environment, began to lose its luster and didn’t ignite me like it once did. My commitment was first and foremost to my full-time job, but that caused me to turn down freelance writing opportunities that I otherwise would have poured myself into because I simply did not have time to maintain my blog daily, work full-time and balance freelance work. I also couldn’t provide my blog with the attention I longed to give it every day.
My blog consumed my thoughts… in a good way. I found myself thinking about things I wanted to share on my blog all the time. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to implement the exciting ideas I have for my blog or complete backend work on my blog (coding, aesthetic changes, etc.) because my free time away from my job was dedicated first and foremost to simply writing daily blog posts. I struggled greatly with feeling like I was not giving my best effort in my everyday job or my blog.
Finally, after many, many in depth conversations with Ryan, I knew I had to make a decision.
My decision was to take a chance and follow my heart.
Two weeks ago I decided to put all my eggs in one basket and take a leap into a career in blogging and freelance writing – a career that excites me, energizes me and terrifies me all at the same time. I am a planner and not really a risk taker by nature, so this transition will be the biggest leap of faith I’ve ever taken in my professional life.
Never in a million years did I think I would not work in an office environment. I thrive on a schedule and have always been hard working and ambitious, thinking about how I can benefit a company and grow to my full potential. Though now I will technically be reporting to myself, I plan to work hard and keep my current schedule. I will still wake up with Ryan early in the morning, go to the gym, walk Sadie and head to work by 9 a.m. – only my work will be freelance writing projects (or actively pursuing freelance writing projects) and dedicating time to making Peanut Butter Fingers a place on the internet that you want to visit.
I have so many ideas and thoughts running through my head and I cannot wait to continue to share my life with you every day.
I am scared… but I am thrilled. I have never, in my entire life, felt this passionate and excited about a career path.
I feel like I’ve finally found where I am supposed to be.
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Congratulations, sweet thang! For some CRAZY reason, I just knew this was going to be the next step for you! I knew it was going to be your announcement. Your passion and enthusiasm shine through in every post, and that’s something that can’t be faked. I cannot wait to see where your blog goes now!
I would also love and appreciate advice on how to find/start freelance work. I have the writing chops, I’m just not sure how to get that process rolling!
Huge congrats again, Miss PBF! 😀
Congratulations! I just found your blog a few weeks ago, and I absolutely adore it and YOU! You are precious and full of wonderful energy. Thank you so much for sharing your passion with us. I am in the progress of starting my own blog now, and I can already feel that passion building within me! I pray that you will be blessed beyond blessed in this new endeavor!
So very excited and proud of you! You are a wonderful and positive influence in this crazy world of ours. Thanks for always sharing!
Oh my! What a huge step. Congrats to you!
Congratulations! This is a big step but one that will be truly rewarding. I can’t wait to read more 🙂
Congratulations! I am so excited for you! This is such a terrifying yet exciting new step in your life. What’s a life without taking risks?
Congrats Julie! “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step” So proud of you.. giddyup!
Congratulations Julie!!! I’m so excited for you–I know you are going to completely rock this career!!
Good for you Julie! Your blog is the reason I wanted to start blogging. You already are incredibly successful – now you just get to LOVE what you’re doing 100% of the time. I’m envious and happy for you!
blogging is such a wonderful thing that can add so much to day-to-day life. i’m so glad you’re enjoying it!
Julie, I’d like to THANK you for being an inspiration! Congratulations on following your dreams! What does Ryan think of this? Lol
I’m kind of worried about my future right now, but things have acqay of working themselves out 🙂
he was actually the biggest proponent of my decision. he said i might NEVER feel okay enough to leave, but i just have to have faith and believe in myself. it was hard, but i’m excited!
Good for you!! You will do great and I look forward to seeing what will come next.
I think it would be wonderful to work from home and do something you are passionate about. That is my problem at the moment. I don’t know what I want to do and I know I will want to do something I love and care about! I don’t want to hate what I’m doing but it pays well. Looks like you found something that will work for you. I hope I can find that “thing” soon too!
Congrats, congrats, congrats Julie!! This is such exciting news. I know you will do great in your new career path and I can’t wait to “be along for the ride”. Congrats again on taking such a brave step towards your passion!!
Congrats Julie!!!!! Such an exciting move, thanks for being such an inspiring, positive influence for all us readers!
Congratulations on this, it is hard to make any change and even harder when that change will bring uncertainty. But life is about taking risks and at the end of the day you need to do what makes you happy, if it is blogging and writing then make that leap!
Congratulations Julie!!! I’ve been reading your blog for around a year now, and every day I look forward to your posts! I’ve tried reading other blogs but yours is the only one I love to read. Thank you for being such an inspiration! Best of luck 🙂
Wow, you’re going to devote even more time to the blog? Dude, you already post more than most of the blogs I read 😀
Looking forward to seeing how this works out for you!
I know you already have a techy person, but if you need an extra hand with programming type stuff, let me know. I’d do interesting projects for free.
thank so much for the offer, lissy!
Wow! Congratulations and good luck! You know a lot of bloggers are sooo inspired by this!
Congrats Julie!! you’ll do great!
Congratulations!!! I’ve been reading your blog for a while now and I feel like this is such an exciting transition for you!!
That is amazing Julie. I’m sure this new adventure will be one that you’ll thrive and enjoy! 🙂
That’s awesome!! One of the key points to living a happy life, is to love what you are doing for a living! Good luck! 🙂
Congrats Julie! You are such an inspiration, and I think this is a great move for you!! Risks are scary but without them, life just isn’t as fun or interesting!
Congratulations!!! I am so happy that you have chosen to follow your heart. You are an incredible writer and I know that you are going to be even more successful 🙂 Looking forward to reading more!
Congratulations! You won’t regret it! 🙂
I am loving blogging and writing full time there is nothing like it! 🙂
Congrats on persuing your dream!
I think this means you will need to get a full-length mirror at home so you can still take fashion pictures!!
I used to want to be a Marine biologist so that I could play with dolphins, etc. Then I found out most of them work in labs. So I went into genetic research instead and am working in a lab as a graduate student… funny how things work out.
Congratulations on following your passion!
Congratulations, Julie! I, too, left a full-time communications job in December to pursue freelancing full time. The jobs have been plentiful, and while I too thrive off routine, it’s easy to work from home and you’ll get your work done. It’s a big leap of faith, but with a supportive husband, I’ve found it to be the most rewarding decision of my life! Good luck!
Congratulations! I hardly ever comment, but I read quite often, and I am so, so, so happy for you, Julie! You totally deserve to live the life of your dreams, and you inspire me daily with your positivity. I just got the biggest smile on my face for you. I hope that this switch brings you all the energy, love, creativity, and enjoyment that comes from living a life that you LOVE and that you wake up each day excited to get to do what you do. 🙂
My hunch was right! Congrats again, Julie! It’s been amazing to see your blog GROW.
Congrats pretty lady! I admire you for having the guts to follow your dream and not let it slip past you. Wooohooo!
This is awesome news! good for you for being so brave to take the plunge!
Reading this just gave me chills…I’m currently sitting at my desk at work and have been thinking about taking a similar risk for a while now.
You are incredibly brave and I can’t wait to read about where this decision takes you! Life is about taking risks. We have to live in the moment and do what makes us happy…why suffer when we only have one shot at this, right? Congratulations!!!
What a big decision, thanks for sharing it with us! It’s awesome that you can still do what you love, can’t wait to hear about all of your new adventures!
Congratulations Julie! I have been a reader since the very beginning and you have certainly shared a lot of your life, meals and antidotes. Each one of these has me looking forward to your posts each and every day! I think you will be wildly successful and you certainly deserve to be 100% fulfilled by your job! Can’t wait for what’s to come with PBF 🙂
How exciting! Congrats! I know going into the unknown can be scary, but it can also be amazing, and I wish nothing but the best for you! You really inspire me as a blogger, so I think it’s awesome that you’re doing this!
Congrats!! I am so happy for you!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog!!
Congratulations Julie! I feel like I know you just by reading about your life, which might sound weird but ever since I found your blog in March, I have had it bookmarked ever since & read it 3+ times a day. You used to be my lunch time reading material when I worked in an office for my internship 🙂 You are both brave and incredibly smart for following your dreams and I know it will pay off for you because I can see your genuine love for blogging.
All the best 😀
So happy to hear about your new adventure! Sometimes the most rewarding things in life begin as some of the scariest ones. I picked up my life and moved to Texas (from NH!) and it was the best decision Ive made thus far for myself!
Congratulations Julie, so excited to see where this opportunity takes you!!
Congrats Julie! I have faith that this decision will bring you so much joy! Recently I quit my job of 3 years to pursue a degree in nutrition, and today is my first day of classes. It’s a scary world when you’re used to being at a desk, but it’s exciting and full of possibilities 🙂 good luck!!
oh that is so exciting!!! best of luck to you!
This is wonderful news, Julie!! Congratulations and I know you’ll continue to inspire others like you do for me every single day!!
Congrats! 🙂 I’ve been in that position these past few years too – where I’m still searching for the right job. I hate working in an office but I have to find my way. I’m so glad you’ve found yours with your awesome blog! You’ll do great and make great things happen. Maybe you’ll even motivate me to make mine public and stop being scared to share myself with the blogging world.
Good luck!
congrats on your decision! im sure it was tough to make but you’ll be just fine. although maybe you should rethink it and become a dolphin trainer 🙂
This is epic-ally amazing! So proud of you!
congrats Julie! So happy for you! I know you’ll do great 🙂
I couldn’t agree more! I too sometimes hear the alarm and think “Argh! I don’t want to get out of bed….but Julie is right when she says it gives more energy throughout the day!”
You are inspiring!
Congrats!!!! I think the best part about this post is how honestly you share with all of us. I think that is what keeps us all coming back. You always give us your heart, and that is so admirable. You have not only inspired me to be a better blogger, but you have also pushed me into the morning workout routine and I couldn’t be happier about it! Sometimes (and not in a creepy way 😉 ) I am in my work out classes thinking…. I bet Julie is in her class too, and that gives me the motivation I need to keep pushing through those squats. Thank you for all the time you put into your blog and I can’t WAIT to see what comes next 🙂 So happy for you!!!!
i do that too!! on the weekends i’ll think i KNOW a blogger/blog reader is out there working out!
Congratulations! I’ve read your blog for a long time and never commented but I just took a similar career leap (from public relations to hair stylist!) and wanted to share my support and enthusiasm for making terrifying life decisions!! Yay!
Congratulations and good luck in your new endeavor!
Awesome!!! Congratulations on following your dreams, Julie! Can’t wait to see where this path takes you!
Congrats!
I’m training to be a Yoga teacher and I know when the time comes to quit my 9-5 and work for myself, I’ll be just as terrified. I look forward to reading how it turns out for you!
Good luck!
congratulations Julie! I am so thrilled for you and look up to you in so many ways. I am excited to watch you on this journey and look forward to what the world has in store for you!