After having a complete life evaluation last year, and deciding that I was finally confident enough within myself to make the giant leap from working in childcare to embracing a more creative path, I landed an opportunity that I could have only dreamt of. After leaving university, I had taken it upon myself to ensure that I continued to build and nurture my creativity, to not ever stop letting my fingers tap away at those keys. To always be writing. Whether it be a list, a blog post, an article, a recipe...I didn't want to stop. And last year, I finally started to realise my dream.
So you can imagine when, at the beginning of the year, and upon finding myself back at square one, what a shock it was to the system. To say I was heartbroken was an understatement. I was devastated. After building my confidence up for so long, I found it almost completely dashed. I wasn't really sure what to do at first. But, never one to be defeated by fate, I picked myself up dusted myself off, and jumped right back on that creative horse.
If you follow me on any of my social media platforms, you will know that one of the main things I define myself as is positive. I understand that being positive doesn't take all of life's problems away, but I am a firm believer that by adopting a positive and uplifting outlook, we can embrace anything that comes our way a little easier. Hell, I just need to look how far I've come with a glass half full attitude - how much I've learnt, how much I've grown....if positivity hadn't played such a big part in my life so far, I can't even imagine the person I would have been!
Which is why, instead of tripping and stumbling over this pebble in my road, I have picked it up, put it in my pocket, and carried on walking. I've taken the time I have had given to me as a golden opportunity, wrapped my arms around it, and made sure that I don't let it go to waste. I know in my heart where I want my life to lead me, and just because one door closed, it doesn't mean several haven't opened. And I feel that in a short space of time, I have really come in to myself more, and it truly feels wonderful. I have become what essentially equates to an almost full-time content creator for the time being. My little blog baby has become an even bigger part of my life than I ever imagined, and I have been so fortunate as to have been given some amazing opportunities along the way.
And it's not just writing. I've made it my mission to learn as much as I can. Things that I've always wanted to know. Sure, I am no expert, but I am so much more aware of some of the tools I have at my disposal. I've learnt more about Google Analytics, Windows Movie Maker, and Google Trends in the past few months than I ever have before. I have become more of a presence in online engagement, taking part in Twitter chats (The Girl Gang chat is my personal favourite) and really worked to get my blog, and my brand, to a place where I am proud of it. To a place that I feel really illustrates where I am right now.
Sure, there can be shitty days, but I never let them get me down for long. It is not at all in my nature to wallow in misery and let the world pass me by whilst I weep. Oh no. Life is too short to mope and wait for someone else to pick up the pieces.
Life can deal us a bad hand sometimes. It's bound to happen at one point or another. But we always have a choice. We can get caught trying to walk over that rock in our way or take it as a pebble of opportunity, one we don't neglect, but use as a chance to make this stumbling block our inspiration to spur us on and make a difference, whether it's in our lives, the lives of others, or making plans for the future. We create our own paths in life. They won't always be smoothly tarmacked, but they will give us one hell of an adventure along the way.
So walk on with your head held high, and plenty of room in those pockets. There are going to be so many pebbles along the way that try and trip you up. You've just got to decide what to do with them.
This is a wonderful post. Love 'There are going to be so many pebbles along the way that try and trip you up. You've just got to decide what to do with them."
ReplyDeleteSoo good