This is my first blog post in well over a year. And no, I didn’t stop because blogging is dead. My absence from blogging was unintentional. In November 2023, I signed a contract to write my first book, 100 Things To Do in Green Bay Before You Die. The manuscript was due by March 2024 to meet the desired publish date and cycle. This meant all my time needed to be focused on writing the book. At the same time, I was also planning and promoting a group trip to Scotland in April.
Writing the book…
After submitting the manuscript in March, the editing process took another month. Before I knew it my publisher was offering to print and release it early. As long as I could be available for book events at the beginning of July, they would get it to the printer. The original release date was mid-September, so the early release of the book created demands of its own. These included planning a book release party, coordinating book signings and events with my travel schedule, and securing media interviews to promote the book.
To make all of this happen, I left my part-time job in International Education in December. I leapt headfirst into instability and chaos. If you know me, none of this information is shocking to you. If you don’t know me (yet), welcome to the chaos. My blog is called Creative and Ambitious for a reason. My life ambitions constantly challenge me to get creative with my time, energy, ideas, and travel plans. They push me to adapt while also being patient and as a result, I question myself regularly. I am constantly learning, thinking, and evolving to make my dream life a reality.
Hold up… You did what?!
Oh, and did I mention that I moved out of my apartment when I left my job? I’m not great at personal finance but I knew that little money coming in had to mean little money going out. So, I cut back on any expenses I could. I said goodbye to my apartment, utility bills, a Netflix subscription, and my 60+ houseplants (the hardest thing for me to say goodbye to) and headed North to stay with my parents while writing the book.
To this day, most of my things are stored at my parent’s house and I’m technically a digital nomad which has proved to be a challenging and uncomfortable way to live so far. I travel often (2+ times per month), rent a room somewhere or live with friends and family in Green Bay. I also visit my parents up North occasionally. It’s a chaotic way to live and I’m never anywhere for very long. But again, I get to travel, write, and create content which is exactly what I want to be doing. This is my dream life. Unfortunately, the reality of my dream life is incredibly impractical at times, confusing to many, and often unglamorous.
It was one heck of a year.
When the book was released in July, 10 days before my 27th birthday, I was in full promotion mode for the next few months. In November, I did a month of travel that included a road trip from Wisconsin to Florida with my best friend (we do it annually), then celebrated the holidays with family in December. As we rang in the New Year, I reflected on this chaotic year that had passed. It was the hardest year for my business and the hardest year in my journey as a blogger and content creator. It took a toll on my mental health.
2024 was the first year I really thought about quitting. I thought about what my life would be like without writing and content creation. I definitely thought that 5 years into this journey would look a lot different. With the chaos in my life and the question of if I should continue blogging, it was hard for me to write and publish blog posts. I felt like an imposter posting on social media without being transparent about my day-to-day life. I felt pressure to keep up a carefree, polished, perfect social presence. It was draining and exhausting.
During this unintentional break from blogging, I’ve had time to reflect on what was holding me back. Spoiler alert: It’s been me. I’ve been so focused on curating the appearance of perfection… combine that with the stress of being an entrepreneur and the instability that comes with it, it’s no surprise I froze and was stuck for so long.
Where I’m at now..
Along the way, I got lost. I forgot my why and what made me want to be a blogger and content creator in the first place. I was so stressed about what I should be doing instead of doing the work that brought me joy, work that I was proud of. While I’ve been struggling for a while, I’m still incredibly grateful for this journey and the lessons I’ve been learning. I know that everything happens for a reason. I needed to go through these challenges to come out on the other side better and more focused than ever.
My entrepreneurial journey is still quite challenging as I’m working in an industry with so many misconceptions. Most people have no idea what I do. The only thing getting me through and keeping me going is the fact that I get to wake up every day and do what I love. I get to create, write, and travel. I’m proud to say that I haven’t quit yet (even though my life would be simpler if I did) and I don’t plan on it.
From here on out I’ll be getting back to blogging and continuing to create meaningful content I’m proud of. Over the next few months, I’ll be doing blog edits, adding new content, and launching some new things so stay tuned.
Thank you for your support and for being on this journey with me! It means so much that you take the time to read my thoughts and words. I appreciate you.
