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!!
Congrats! That is amazing. You are such a great writer and will succeed in whatever you do!
Congrats Julie! That is very exciting. I wish you nothing but the best. 🙂
I can’t even believe this!!! Just YESTERDAY I was sitting in the car with my fiancee thinking “hmm, I wonder when Julie will make that move…..Tina, Meghann, Catlin have….she’s sure great to read…I bet it will be soon”! My jaw is on the floor… this is too weird!!! BUT OMGOSH congrats!!!! And know that if it ain’t hard…the rewards won’t be as good!! This will be soo fulfilling. You’re an entrepreneur!! BAH I’m beaming (or should I say BReaming) for ya!
LOL – loving your last sentence! 🙂
Good luck! So awesome that you are taking the road less traveled (I truly do hope that it makes all the difference <—-cheesy but true!)
I totally predicted this! Congrats, girl! Keep it up. I love your blog. Follow your dreams. I really think you will be successful! 🙂
Congratulations on taking the leap of faith to pursue your dreams! Not many people have the courage to do that. I wish you nothing but success and happiness on your new journey!
Yay Julie!! I am just a few years out of college and I cant wait until I can quit my current job and follow my dreams! I want to have a summer outdoors camp for girls! ps I hope you still do lunch posts! i read them during my lunch and they are a nice little pick me up during the middle of the day 🙂
So excited for you!
Congratulations on your leap of faith. May it be all that you have dreamed of and much, much more.
this is AWESOME news for you. i love reading this blog and actually Carrots’N Cake is the first blog I ever stumbled upon as well, and suddenly my whole “free time” each day is spent reading them. This is inspiring for me, as I really wish I had begun a blog already, but at home we are in between computers for a few months and its just not the right time. Looking forward to the future of PB fingers 🙂 congrats!
That is amazing that you chose to truly pursue your passion – thank you from all of us readers 🙂 and I know you will succeed because your enthusiasm for blogging is always evident in your blogs! Best of luck 🙂
OMG Julie! So exciting! I know we don’t “know” each other since I rarely come out of lurking to comment but I do read daily and love your blog…am so excited at what lies ahead for you.
Also really admire people who have the courage to pursue their passions- you are awesome 🙂
Well done Julie!! i myself, have just taken a big leap of faith. Quit my job to become self-employed, it is a big step and so frightening but i’m hoping it will be worth it 🙂 Good luck!! xx
This is awesome Julie, thanks for being an inspiration for living a healthy life but also in the endeavor, an inspiration for following your heart! I know you will do amazingly! I bet Sadie will be happy about your new routine! Congrats!
The biggest risks are always the most rewarding. Congratulations!
I can’t wait to read all your freelance stuff in addition to the fabulousness here at PBFingers!
Congrats, Julie! This is so exciting and I know you will thrive in your new job! Looking forward to the future of PB Fingers and watching it blossom!
Congratulations! LOOK AT ALL THE BLOG LOVING!! You’re amazing, and you can totally do it. Holla!!!!!
Julie – how inspiring are you! You have an amazing blog, and I can’t wait to see everything that you are going to do! This was such an inspiring post, and was so good to read. My life is changing drastically at the end of this month, and I will also make the transition of working from home – you just made me feel so much better about it! Thanks!
Ahhh I’m so excited for you, congratulations!! What an exciting turn in your career– I’m sure you will do fantastic!
How exciting! I’m a new reader and have loved your blog! Good Luck!
Julie, I am soooo happy for you!!! I know you will succeed and do great things. I wish you all the best in this new career choice. <3
Julie! this is awesome. I am so proud of you and I know how important it is to follow your heart. I think this is a great decision and I am so excited! Maybe I’ll do the same someday?!? 🙂
Congrats lady! You are so brave! This sounds so right for you 🙂 Enjoy the new adventure.
I am so happy for you, Julie!!! Fingers crossed for your bright future 🙂 Well, I might be very ‘selfish’ reader, but now that you chose that path, I am so excited to read your future posts on your blog that are full of more fun materials!!! So, thanks!!! in advance for dedicating yourself to PBF and making me (and other readers) happy everyday:) cuz reading your blog seriously boosts me up every morning!
Congratulations! You are an inspiration. I am a new reader to your blog, but I look forward to what this next chapter will bring for you and your readers.
Congrats! I knew from the first day I read your blog a few months ago, that there was something super special about it. I feel that your optimism (even on the not so great days) always shines through. It’s what keeps me coming back for more!
oh and Sadie pics, of course 🙂
Congratulations, Julie! Looking forward to seeing (reading) what the future holds for you. One thing, though: does this mean no more fashion shots in the bathroom mirror?! 😉
High five! (Borat style)
I have been wanting to leave my job now for quite a long time, this is inspiring and your blog is so bitchin’, I have no doubt you’ll succeed. Congratulations!!
That is beyond exciting! Congrats on taking the leap and best of luck in doing so! I am a fairly new reader of the blog and love it!
Holy crap! That is super exciting! Congrats and good luck, I am sure you’ll be great!! I’m so happy for you!
Congratulations on following your heart Julie. I am a dedicated reader and simply cannot wait to see what happens to PBF. I know how scary such a big decision can be but I know you’re surrounded by supportive, loving people both in real life and online!
CONGRATULATIONS! I am excited for you and your new path – such an exhilarating energy when you find IT. Good for you!!
That is great Julie, I am so excited for you! I can’t wait to see the changes you will make to the blog, I’m sure it will be amazing! Best of luck.
Congrats! How exciting to truly do what you love! Best of luck and I can’t wait to keep reading!
Congrats, Julie! Know that no matter what your job or title, you live a purposeful and inspiring life. And at the end of the day, that’s what matters.
How exciting! This is the first post I’ve seen on your blog, I don’t even know you and I’m SO excited for you!!! How wonderful to be able to do that. Maybe one day I’ll be able to say something similar & thank Emily @ Daily Garnish. I’m new to this community but it seems so supportive, I can see how you get sucked in!!
Good luck!! I enjoy your blog and I hope that you can make something really great out of it! How awesome would it be to do what you love AND make money at it!!!
Woohoo! That is so exciting and I admire you for taking the plunge, the fact that you have OVER 300 comments on your post shows you how much support you have :), good luck and I look forward to continue reading your blog xo,
This all sounds so familar! I feel like I could have written this post myself.
I am SO HAPPY and PROUD of you! Congrats, Julie!
That is so awesome! I recently started reading your blog and I love it! I think it is awesome that you are taking that leap and doing what you really want to do.
Julie, I am so happy you are following your dreams. Passion is what keeps us alive – best of luck to you, my friend! 🙂
I’m so excited for you!! I haven’t missed a post since you started the blog. Excited to see what’s to come. Congrats!!
Julie!! Many many congratulations! I am so proud of you for following your heart and believing in yourself. That is one of the hardest things we can do. You deserve this! What a great way to start off June! Yay you!
Congratulations, Julie!! This is so exciting and I’m so glad you’re following your dreams! Like I always tell my little brother and sister, “if you’re not doing something you absolutely love, if you’re not doing something that makes the time fly by every single day, then you’re not doing the right thing.” Work should never be work, and blogging has become your passion! I’m so excited for you!
congratulations Julie!!! so excited for you, I hope it’s everything you dreamed of and more!!!
Julie, this is awesome! I am so so happy for you! Your blog along with Tina’s blog are what inspired me to start my own blog. Although I have not been able to dedicate the time I’d like yet due to a job change, I find it is my favorite time when I get to write. I am also not a risk taker and my husband is constantly telling me I need to follow my heart as he does. I am soo soo excited for you and know that this is such a great decision! You are amazing at blogging and I will look even more forward to reading your writing. Good luck with everything!
Oooh, how exciting!! Congrats. I love your blog. It’s one of my faves. 🙂
Yay!!!!
Congrats Julie. I’m so excited for you.