The New American Dream.

My mom went on a trip a couple weeks ago and brought the issue of Spirit (Southwest's magazine) home for me and said I just had to read this one article. I finally got around to it this morning, and it was such a great read I thought you would enjoy it, too.

"The New American Dream" by Taffy Brodesser-Akner is about entrepreneurs who traded in the corporate desk job and created more fulfilling careers for themselves.

"The changing economy is spurring a radical new approach to living, and to earning a living. And for a growing number of creative entrepreneurs, that approach seems to be working."

I was so happy to find that the entire article is online. Check it out!



Now I'll spill the beans on what's been going on in the past few months and why this article really hit home for me. I quit my job right before Thanksgiving. I had known for a long time that I needed to rearrange things in my life. Juggling my Etsy business, craft blog, full-time job, and whatever tiny bit of a social life I could manage had worked fine over the past 5 years, but I knew I didn't want another 5 years of it. Additionally, recent health problem in the family (my mom's stroke last year and my dad's heart disease and battle with cancer) had reminded me that HEY, LIFE'S SHORT! Finally, after many stressed-out evenings and lots of tears I decided to make a change. A very scary change for a practical gal like myself. I walked away from my job of over 5 years (and the steady paycheck, health benefits, and stability that it provided) in favor of going it on my own.

What I've been up to since then: you may have noticed, but I'm expanding my line of handmade gifts and stationery. I've been working on my own shop website outside of Etsy and hope to start adding new wholesale accounts. I also will be working on some sponsored posts here on the blog and possibly some advertising. Cause, you know, a girl's gotta pay her bills!

Do I have it all figured out yet? No way. Is it scary? Hell, yes. Am I happy? More than I've been in a very long time.

So that's that! I hadn't planned on writing this post at all, but when I read the article this morning it just made sense to share. And now I don't know why I waited this long.

Oh, wait, I do know why. It was because I was scared. But I'm working on that.