The weeks are just flying by, aren’t they? And I can’t believe today is March 1st! It seems like I was just grouchin’ about it being Christmas and now my birthday is in four days. Well, it’s Friday and taking over this week is Natalie Chiles from aptly titled NatalieChiles.com. While you’re reading Nat’s reflection of her own leap, I’ll be off at the doctor being fitted for a lymphedema sleeve. Good times and more to come on that. For now, enjoy what Nat’s serving up. Happy Friday!
Have you taken a leap? A big one. Something that probably makes a family member ask if everything is okay, or a friend hesitantly ask how you’re doing with that tone that says, “Are you sure you aren’t… a tiny bit looney?”
I have.
I highly recommend it.
Even if people look at you funny.
I’m not talking about leaping off a cliff into shallow water or bungee jumping off a high bridge {though those do sound amazing}. I’m talking about making a change in your life so that you can be happier, more fulfilled and alive. It’s really scary to do, but it’s really worth it.
Leaps don’t have to be instantaneous, either. You can make them slowly, and plan them out. Think of it as the focus and determination before the leap. But whatever you do, dear friend, make at least one in your lifetime. Just one. So you can say, “I made a leap.”
This picture at left (click for source) represents where I am right now in my life. I’m in the middle of my “leap” right now.
I’ve left the world of teaching behind me. Gone are the days of rising {super early} to wake up my kids {super early} to get them to day care {super early} so I could get to my own school {super early} and teach a full day.
Ahead of me: an aspiring career as a photographer. I’m leaning towards super-yummy, squishy baby photography, but am not closing the door on doing family portraits as well as some yummy food photography as well. At nearly 37 years old, I am a newbie. The new kid. I’m gaining experience, but I am also a small fish in a super-huge pond. An ocean, really.
What drives me crazy?
I have no idea what’s going to happen.
People who know me well know I’m a planner. I don’t do well with spontaneity, at least when it comes to careers and stuff. All I DO know is that I will be putting my heart and soul into this new passion and hopefully making something of it. I think I’m doing pretty damn well so far.
With all the stress that comes with trying something new, I will tell you this:
If I were still teaching, and letting the schedule of my job, the politics of teaching (yes, there are tons of politics in teaching), and the day-to-day grind drive my life… I don’t think there’d be much light in my eyes. I’d sort of be a less animated version of myself. But now when I wake up every day, I get to think about what part of photography I want to learn about the most, who I’m taking pictures of next, or what photos I get to edit up that day. I have choices. I am in charge of myself. I can also pee whenever I want. You can’t pee whenever you want when you’re a teacher (did you know that?).
Making a leap is like giving yourself a gift. It’s the equivalent of gifting yourself a hot-air balloon ride or a skydiving session. It’s an adventure.
So I ask you: do you need to make a leap? Maybe it’s not your career, but something else. Maybe it’s a relationship {finding or ending one}, or a location change {Bali, anyone?}. Maybe you need to go find a dog to bring home, like Wendy did. Somewhere, sometime in your life… make a leap. You won’t regret it.
Have you made a leap already? I’d love to hear about it. OR, better yet, tell me what leap you need to make, but are too scared to. The first step, I’ve found, is naming it.
My favorite part of this entire post is when Natalie writes “I don’t think there’d be much light in my eyes.” I absolutely 100% agree that if we aren’t looking forward to what the day holds, we are doing the wrong thing. Would you agree?
Be sure to click on over to see what Nat’s working on at NatalieChiles.com. I love this cute printable (she’s like totally crafty too!), see some sneak peaks from a photography shoot she did and definitely grab Nat’s at home juicing tips!
I’m in the same place…Going from teaching to medical coding so that I can be home more, and flexible, with my two young kids. As always, Nat, your thoughts are thought-provoking. You put into words what I have been freaking out about. Putting a name to the leap has helped calm the “what do I do” storm.
My next leap will be organizing our family so that things run much more smoothly in the mornings and evenings. I’m more scared of THAT than the career change!
Thanks for publishing this!
Bethany, that’s awesome! I can’t wait to hear more about it- I didn’t realize that was in the works. Thanks for commenting!
Such a great post! Loved reading about your leap, Nat! I took my own about a year ago when, like you, I left a stable, high-paying job to be my own boss. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made and I don’t regret it one bit. Cheers to us both!