Warning: Ramblings ahead
Last week, I lept (um, hobbled) out of my cast into a boot. One more little step so I can get my health back on track. But what about the big picture? My anxiety, depression, stress, and insomnia are each issues in themselves, but when combined together make up for a health-killer. These aren’t issues solved by pills or time – they have to be fixed by lifestyle.
For those who don’t know, I work. I love working and pushing and trying to do my best. I’m an overachiever, to the point of campaigning to be MBA class president and winning – I thought it would be perfect for my resume. I got to speak at my business school graduation, spouting off wishes for everyone to live their dreams and do big things. Perhaps I always pushed for these things because my mind is something I could have confidence in, seeing as my body and physical ability was so deficient (in my mind.)
You see, in addition to my full time marketing job, I do marketing consulting for a couple of local companies and do the social media marketing for ENELL. I also volunteer quite a bit and am working with friends on some projects that are amazing, but can be time consuming. In addition to this blog, I also have my plus size fashion site, Emmie Loves, and the poor, abandoned Emily Sandford. In December, I formally created my social media consulting company, Authentically Social. It’s a lot.
Late last year, I took a course from the fabulous ex-Googler and author Jenny Blake. The title made me hopeful: “Make Sh*t Happen.”
How many times have we dreamed about doing more or being more and just sat on the dreams until they seem so out of reach that you are filled with despair? I know my list of things I want to do in this life are long, and with each year I realize that time is more and more precious.
I wanted to “Make Sh*t Happen.”
image by Departika on Etsy, via Pinterest
This blog has made me realize that I CAN make sh*t happen. I can push through injuries, lose enormous amounts of weight, share my struggles with others, and use my voice to help others.
Throughout the course, I made all sorts of mind maps and did tough exercises to figure out what exactly I wanted. What are the key themes around things I enjoy, and what do they involve? The answers became clear, and I knew how to make some things happen, but not all. I made a plan, didn’t set a goal date, and just stuck to the process. Things got fuzzy quickly (“I’m tired, I don’t want to write any more email pitches…”) but sticking to the plan, things happened… quickly.
I’ve gotten more inquiries for Authentically Social which makes me happy. I also had a new work opportunity come up that meant I could work from home. It’s a much smaller company, and I think I will really get to sink my teeth into some great projects whereas I’ve felt like a speedracer who couldn’t come up for air before. I love the company I’m with now, but the opportunity to work from home with less defined hours fulfilled so much of what I was looking for. I will also have the commute time (as well as my normal nights and weekends) to work on my other projects.
So, I’ve put in notice. I’m leaving the office.
I’m looking forward to the possibility of working in my pajamas, keeping my french press nearby with a kettle on the stove, taking quick breaks by walking the dog, not stressing out about the timing of my doctors appointments, and using my lunch break to go to the gym. I’m also looking forward to more blogging, more social media, and more writing.
For tonight, that’s all. I’m leaping, and I’m making sh*t happen.
PS: If you’re on Facebook or Twitter, I would love if you could “like” Authentically Social or follow @authsocial!
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