11 years ago, on Sept. 21, 2009, I hit publish on my first post on this blog. Over a decade later, I still can’t believe that this space has grown to what it is and that some of the same women who read my posts in those early days are still here today, growing with me through marriage, our careers, motherhood and more. I also can’t quite believe I’ve hit “publish” on a post I never anticipated I’d write.
Transparency has always been a huge priority for me – I want to foster a community where trust and honesty are at the center of everything I do. So, I’m sharing with you all today that after 9 years as a Sr. Public Relations Specialist, I made the decision to resign from my job – a career I loved and grew from tremendously. This decision was probably the most difficult one I’ve ever made and was made after several months of serious thought and with the support of my family, friends and the guidance of my therapist. My last day was yesterday, following my two-week notice period.
I very much respect the mission of my former workplace – there were a lot of challenges and unexpected changes over the last year and ultimately, I recognized it was time to pursue other opportunities, as did many others.
I was extremely anxious about leaving a career where I’d flourished and that I was committed to for nearly a decade. However, once I made my final decision, after months of uncertainty, I felt a sense of peace and relief wash over me – that’s when I knew I’d made the right one. As someone with anxiety, who constantly overthinks every decision and imagines every worst-case scenario, to feel at peace with such a massive shift was incredibly joyful and validating.
If you’ve followed me for some time, you know how much passion I had for my work – so much so, that after countless people told me I should work on my business full time, I told them I could never – because I loved what I did too much. I always did both, and it worked for many years. For me to lose that sense of fulfillment and happiness in where I was spending most of my time each week and in the work I was doing, was difficult to process and I’ve cried more in the last few months than I have in years. I like routines, comfort and security. So when I was forced to really evaluate what I wanted – and needed – it was scary and uncomfortable to realize that what I wanted, wasn’t where I was.
Last fall, I permanently reduced my hours at work, but even with that change, I felt compelled to take a leap that, truthfully, I have always been scared to take (and I do want to clarify that my decision had nothing to do with the pandemic). I never had the confidence to abandon the comfort and security of my job. I always worried I’d fail or that the pressure would be too much for me. But every time I think about this space and the community behind it, all I want is to do MORE. I have this list I keep in my iPhone notes of all of these ideas I have and things I want to do – a list I could have never even begun to dream of fulfilling. But with this leap, I feel endless excitement to make everything on that list a reality.
Not much will change in terms of this space – I will continue to write about the things I love and work with brands I align with, as I always have. I will now be able to do more for this space, my family and myself. I’ll be able to work from home and make space for the type of growth I’ve always been scared of. I know there will be challenges, uncertainty and moments where I doubt myself – lots of them, probably. But, I took this leap and I’m ready for everything that comes with it – the highs, the lows, the uncertainty, the joy, the discomfort. I’m proud to have overcome my anxiety about this decision enough that I feel absolute confidence that even if I “fail,” it was still the right one.
I’m also working on redefining what success means: because logically, I know I’m successful, but I’ve spent many, many years downplaying that, to myself, and others. Much of my personal identity and sense of worth and value is and has always been rooted in my job. My therapist asked me once during a session if I understood that I had worth and value, as a person, separate from and outside of my work and I immediately started sobbing because I couldn’t tell her I did. My identity is so deeply enmeshed in my work and career that thinking about myself as a person that has implicit value, outside of my work, is challenging – which I now recognize is extremely unhealthy.
I would be remiss not to mention that though I’m confident in my decision, I still struggle with feelings of insecurity about not working in a traditional 9-5 job. Over the years, so many of you have told me that I was “more relatable” because I worked outside of the home in addition to blogging. I put my full-time job on a pedestal and I’m only now recognizing the harm that has done to my sense of self-worth. I always downplayed the hard work that has gone into building this space and devalued what I built because it was “just my side job.”
Despite my excitement for this new path, I do worry about what some people might think or say, even though I know I shouldn’t. Even if I spend more hours working on this space than I would in a traditional/corporate job (which I already know with certainty that I will), I know I’ll still find it challenging to deal with some feedback. I’m trying to remind myself that what matters is that I’m happy and fulfilled in the work I do. That the work I do has the same value regardless of whether I work for a company or in an office setting or for myself and at home. And, that I don’t need to justify anything to anyone to “prove” my value or how hard I work. I will continue to be a full-time working mother, I’ll just be working from home (like many, many others are during this pandemic).
A question I ask myself a lot is what will my future look like 5 or 10 years from now? The truth is – I don’t know. No doors are closed – I’m open to many possibilities and opportunities, including in the corporate world. The most important lesson I’ve learned from making this decision is that life is too short to be unhappy and that sometimes a radical change can be just the reset we need to be our best selves, do our best work and find our next path.
Thank you for your kindness, support, love and for this community you’ve help build. I am so grateful for all of you. Every kind message feels like a hug from a friend – know that you’ve all played a role over the years in building me up, giving me the strength to make hard choices, and allowing me to grow this space in a way that fulfills me and supports my family.
Congratulations! This is one of my favorite blogs to read (and your insta is a fav too) so looking forward to seeing what you do next!
Congratulations! I know how scary the change can be, but I’m so excited for you
Congratulations! As someone who also works from home, I often find it difficult when meeting new people to say what I do for a living. Saying I have an “Etsy shop” makes it sound like I do arts and crafts all day but the reality is I make as much in my “Etsy shop” as I did at my corporate accounting job plus I have flexible hours. I would love a blog post from you exploring self worth and our job titles!
Isn’t it crazy? I also have a hard time telling certain people about my blog! I have made a full-time income from my blog for several years now, but I feel like I have to defend the work I do here because it’s not a traditional 9-to-5 job. One of my goals this year is to recognize and shout from the rooftops that all of our work has value, regardless of what industry it falls into or what the work entails day to day.
Congratulations on making this decision! I’m so excited to see where this leads you!!
Congrats Veronica! I’ve followed you for a few years now and looking forward to seeing where this new path will lead you!
I’m so happy for you, Veronika! I know that change can be so difficult and scary, but good for you for going with what was pulling at your heart! I’m looking so forward to seeing more of you and your work on here ❤️
Congratulations!!! I saw the title of your post and literally (irrationally?) got a pit in my stomach that you were going to announce you’d be quitting blogging. If that doesn’t speak to the respected and loyal following you’ve developed here, I don’t know what does!!! xoxo
Best of luck to you and sincerely, congratulations on stepping out in faith! You’re going to (continue to) do amazing!!
Oh my gosh! I don’t think I could ever leave the space unless it no longer brought me joy or fulfillment. I actually always felt that if someone forced me to choose between this space and working in my corporate job, I would have to choose the space because it’s so impossible to fathom giving up something I worked so hard to build. Thankfully, I did not have to make that decision under anyone else’s terms but my own 🙂
Isn’t it funny that we put so much emphasis on our careers defining us, yet in this space, I (and probably most of your followers) don’t associate you with your 9-5 career at all? You’ve always made it clear that you had a “real” job, but your followers are here for your passions and interests outside of a corporate setting. So keep it up!
Congratulations! This is exciting. I am happy for you and sending some positive vibes your way.
Wow! This is exciting news. I am so happy you were able to make a hard decision. You are going to love your new permanent work from home lifestyle. I admire you and I enjoy following you on the platform and the Facebook group so much! Congratulations and best best wishes for your bright future!
You got this Girl! Things will not bloom but blossom!
You are so sweet! Thank you so much for your support.
How very exciting for you! It must feel like a huge weight has been lifted.
It really does. The last year has been really stressful and difficult to process and I know this decision will be better for my mental health as well.
I’m an “oldie”, in that I probably found you circa 2010 or 2011 and I have to admit I did think it was so admirable that you did this in addition to a 9-5 job. I left the corporate world last July (maybe forever, but maybe not!) and when I was in it, it was 99% of my identity. I was THAT working mom! Now I’m out and getting to really explore what other passions I have at the ripe age of 40…I didn’t know I had so many!! Plus I’m way less stressed, sleep better, and am a better mom (this is just my experience, but I left a toxic place). Good luck on this new stage of your life. Like you said, you can always go back…if you want 😉 I can’t wait to see what’s next for you!
Thank you for your thoughtful comment! I can’t wait to have those same feelings – just feeling happier and pursuing my passions 🙂
This is an amazing post. Is always scary to make changes in life but know that it always turns out for the best.
thank you so much for your comment <3
Congrats! I have followed you for over 10 years now, wow! I am happy you made a decision for your life that works for you and the family. I was probably one of the followers who appreciated the realness that came with you working a corporate job *like us* but it’s not sustainable to do both, I’m sure, in this day and age where social media is 24-7, and you really need to follow your heart and passion! Not to mention, we all change, something that worked for us last year might not this year. I actually left my hospital corporate job last year even though I truly loved it pre-Covid. Good luck and thanks for sharing.
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment 🙂 It definitely wasn’t sustainable for me but I always restricted my growth in this space to work my hospital job. I agree people and situations can change over time and sometimes you have to make a tough choice. Glad you were able to leave your job too! There are always doors that open!
I’ve been around since the JCrew pencil skirt days and I am happy for you! You always take time to respond and I feel like you are very genuine. Best of luck! Can’t wait to see what the future holds.
Thank you so very much!! Always love hearing from the OGs!
Congratulations! I’ve been reading your post for so many years and the one thing I love about you is how humble and honest you are. The way you openly talk about your anxiety and fears is a reminder that we all are working through things. We support each other and stay strong. Thank you!
As a long time reader I’m so happy your path has lead you towards this. Its been an evolution and I think you needed to spend the years/time in your corporate job to learn, grow and get to this point. Wishing you much luck and sending you many good vibes!
Long time follower here-I am just so happy for you. This has been a big year of growth for you and you have learned a lot about yourself. Congratulations!
So excited for you, friend!! Congratulations. I am proud of you for making this leap!! You go girl!!!
I remember when you got started, following you since TheKnot/TheNest days! I always wondered if you would reach this point. That is great that you have grown this space to allow you comfortably leave a 9-5 career. At 45 I wish I was at a space I could be home with my kid more.
Happy for you! Best of luck to you in the mew chapter.
Thank you for writing me such a kind note and for being such a longtime follower of mine! I am very thankful for this next chapter!
Congratulations on making this decision to put yourself first. I can only imagine how scary it must’ve felt. However, I know the feeling of peace when one decides to leave a job that is weighing down and/or no longer fulfills. Once the dread of going to the job everyday kicks in, it’s time to move on. You’re living my dream right now because I’m beginning to feel the dread of having to return in person next month. I felt so much more balanced working from home this past year. The thought of once again having to commute, be in the office all day and around people I may or may not tolerate is killing my soul. But I have nothing to fall back on so I’ll just have to deal with it. You’ve accomplished something spectacular by creating your own brand that will be able to provide an income, work/life balance, time flexibility. I mean, that’s no small feat. THAT’S the dream! You’re business savvy and you’re going to love working for yourself. Every day will feel like a holiday because you’ll only answer to the one person who matters most: yourself. And she’s the one that’ll value you the most as well.
Veronika, I had to comment on this because I connected with your message in SO MANY ways. I love how honest you’ve been with these updates. It’s helped me process some things I’ve been gong through and not feel so alone. I am in Canada and on maternity leave with my third child, a boy, who is six months. I started seeing a therapist recently to try to work though a few different things. One big one is the major anxiety I have about going back to work. It’s been a very toxic work environment in recent years and I am struggling. It began as my dream job and I have poured so much of my energy into it these past 10 years, but it has turned into a place that is very toxic and it’s preventing me from growing the way I want to.
I’m so happy for you and excited to watch you continue to flourish! I started following you when I was pregnant with my first daughter and I’ve loved seeing your journey. Would love to see more of your skincare routines and maybe even some videos! Take care and best wishes!
Congratulations Vero! You are SOOOOOOO Brave to take a leap of faith!!!! Color me Jealous (in a good way)! I wish I could do the same, but I am the breadwinner (whomp whomp whomp)… Can’t wait to see/read what’s on your iPhone List!!! God Bless Always :).