Popping in early today with a little somethin’-somethin’: I had two guest posts go live this week. Thought you might want to see them for yourself. They vary a bit in content, one a little more traditional-DIY-me, one a little more revealing. Both blogs that invited me to participate are very cool. All of it’s very exciting. And that’s why I’m casually celebrating with a morning mocha and side of chocolate chip cookies.
1. Read about my DIY driftwood lamps while I fill in for Lana at the blog Making A House A Home: It’s an all-in-one tutorial showing how I made my much-loved living room table lamps and the coordinating paper lampshades. You can see the guest post for yourself here.
2. The ever-inspiring designer Kara Paslay invited me to contribute to her blog and open up in a guest post to kick off her “Inspire Me” series. This post showcases in a little more detail how I mustered the courage to leave my job last spring, squeal of glee. I can hardly believe that it’s already been almost 10 months since I made the decision to leap from my advertising career path, and elated to report that I’ve been very-successfully chugging along independent of a corporate infrastructure. Dream-livin’. I hope it inspires a few more people to speak your dreams aloud and make them realities. Read the whole guest post here.
Thanks again for your invites to participate, Kara and Lana!
And for all your curious bathroom-remodeling-lovers, I’ll be back this afternoon with a Day 10 update for DIY Network!
12 Comments
Congrats on all the features you’ve had lately, and extra super-duper congratulations for chugging along these last 10months solo sans corporate world! You’re doing amazing and inspiring things Emily, keep up the fabulous work :)
Thanks Martina! It’s been a wild streak with everything hitting at once. Still, wouldn’t go back for anything (less than a billion dollars). Encouragement + support appreciated!
Is it weird that I’m so relieved you don’t have a 9-5 job??? I’ve been like HOLY CRAP HOW DOES SHE DO IT ALL? And now I know.
What kind of freelance do you do?
Haha, still feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day. I do marketing consulting/advertising project management/ghost blog writing for a few companies. It’s a lot of work, but at least I can juggle my time better than if I were trapped in an office, like do client work late in the evenings but get out to Home Depot at 10AM if I need something for a DIY project.
Hi Emily! I saw your guest post over at Kara Paslay Designs and I am totally in love with your site. Your story about becoming a blogger is really inspiring and your work is beautiful. So glad to have discovered merrypad! Good luck!
Hey Becky! Thanks for stopping by – glad you like the site!
congrats on both of the guest posts! Absolutely love you post on Kara Pasley about leaving your job. I couldn’t agree more… if you want it bad enough, you’ll make it happen!
Thanks Ashley!
Hi Emily! I just read your post over at Kara’s blog and your story was truly inspiring for me! Just like you were, I’m in a season of desiring more. I have a great job, but ultimately it’s not my true passion. The 9-5 cubicle grind is starting to wear on me. I’m craving more freedom and craving more hands on creativity. I started blogging back in May and have fallen in love with the blog community and it’s been an amazing creative outlet. Righ now I’m trying to figure out the path I want to go down. I love that you set out goals and wrote things down to work towards. I think that’s the next step for me. Hoping I can realize my true dreams and make them happen at some point this year :) Thanks so mug for sharing your story!
I could squeal with excitement for you, Megan! It’s a pretty amazing feeling when something clicks and you can take next steps to make it a reality. I’m a firm believer of “if you want it, it will work” so best wishes and keep in touch, I’d love to see you do awesome things and follow through on that dream!
Hi Emily–
That third paragraph of the Kara Paslay post really got me. In the same boat, and have been there most of my career. Lots of security, and just enough good stuff to keep me there. But always knowing that it wasn’t quite it. Like you, have found that I love blogging. Yes, think about it all the time, in a way I long ago stopped doing for my “real” work. Don’t really know where I’m going with it–still much in the learning/exploring/just seeing what happens stage–but it’s inspiring to read about others who have been able to figure out what their dream is. Thanks for sharing.
Hey Rita – it’s so nice to hear that my story struck a chord with you. Best of luck on your journey, mine’s been nothing but good surprises and I hope the same for you!