Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?

So I’ve decided to start a blog for Write Pretty for Me, which you’ve probably figured out if you’re reading this! I’ve had the idea of a blog for awhile, as a place to share calligraphy tips and tricks, show new projects that I’m working on, and talk about that little thing called running your own business, but I’ve put it off because 1. between the full time job, the side hustle and trying to keep up a social life, I just haven’t had time (lame excuse!) and 2. because I was never completely sure what I wanted this blog to be. I have a bad habit of hesitating to start something until I have a very clear vision, but over the years, I’ve realized that sometimes, you just need to start and see where it takes you. So this is me just starting. And I thought now is as good a time as any because I’ve got some very exciting news to share with you!

I recently left my corporate job and have turned Write Pretty for Me into a full time business!!!!!!!

Holy. Crap. That sentence is still sinking in. There are moments when I can’t believe that it’s actually true and that I actually took that leap. 

It’s been a long time coming, but still, the decision was something that I wrestled with for months and it was not an easy one to make. If I decided to jump, I knew I’d be walking away from a lot – I’d be leaving a great, stable job at one of the top publishing companies, I’d no longer be working with my friends, and I’d be giving up a steady paycheck and amazing health benefits. But despite knowing all of that, I still had a constant tugging in my gut that this was something that I needed to do.

As I got closer to making my decision of whether or not to jump, the doubts and fears got louder and louder and so many questions were racing through my head: Am I good enough at what I want to do? Have I been doing it long enough? Am I prepared to make this move? What if I can’t get enough work? What if I run out of money? What if I’m not cut out for freelance life? What if I fail?? What if I have to move back in with my parents???

All of these questions were (and still are) very real concerns and made me second guess what I knew in my heart that I wanted and what I could so clearly visualize for myself. Instead of letting those negative thoughts take over, I tried to focus on my “why.” I reminded myself that I’m jumping because my business — the work that I’ve done and the people that I’ve met — is what I’m truly passionate about. It has given me a greater sense of purpose that I had not felt in quite some time. It has brought people into my life that I otherwise never would have met (all of whom I turned to for support and all of whom were my constant cheerleaders as I was trying to come to a decision. Surround yourself with these types of people, folks! People who raise you up and make you believe that anything is possible!) and it has opened up so many new doors to me. It has helped me grow into the person I am and the woman that I am continuing to become. I reminded myself that I’m jumping because I’m ready for new challenges, I’m ready to say yes to new opportunities, and I want to continue experiencing new things, continue growing as a person and business owner, and continue pushing myself to be the very best version of me. I knew that I didn’t want to wake up in 20 years and wonder “what if?” and I realized that I would regret not trying more than I would regret trying and failing, and so with that, my decision to jump was made. I gave my notice to my boss, got all of my ducks in a row, and said goodbye to corporate America last Thursday. 

I have never felt so many emotions at once. I’m so incredibly excited and nervous and terrified and I feel so free. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead of me and how all of this will unfold! But of course, with the unknown comes fear and the possibility of that dreaded “f” word — failure. But I have realized that only positive things can come from failure. Even if this whole thing does not pan out the way I’m hoping it will, I’ll still be able to look back and know that I tried my best and gave myself the opportunity to create the life that I want as well as permission to possibly fail. Failure is simply a learning experience and with learning comes growth. Every time I fall or fail (and let’s face it, I’m sure I’m going to be stumbling quite a bit down this new and bumpy road), I’ll pick myself up, brush myself off and hopefully come out on the other side 1,000 times stronger. Falling (and failing) is inevitable, but as the saying goes “Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?”

So with that, here’s to the next adventure of learning to fall and daring to fly!

I’m so excited to see how Write Pretty for Me can grow and I’m thrilled that I’m able to keep creating for all of you! Thank you all for the love and support that you’ve shown me and my biz over the years and thank you for allowing me to pursue what I love. I hope you’ll stick around for this next chapter!!

Sending you all so much love today!
xox,
Alane