I can’t speak for any of you, but I can surely speak for me and I imagine there are many of you who are just like me. Many of you who don’t bet on YOU. I was one of those people. Notice I said was? Yup, I’m working on it. I had parents who believed in me, encouraged me and gave me lots of opportunities so I am not sure where it comes from. I wouldn’t say I lack confidence either. I think of myself as a relatively confident, positive person, but when it comes to risks, to dreaming, to following my heart, to leaving the beaten path-I don’t bet on myself.
When I went to college I desperately wanted to do something in the creative field. I wanted to be a writer, a journalist, an artist, a designer, but instead I majored in education. Teaching was safe. I knew what kind of jobs teachers had and I knew those jobs existed everywhere. Obviously, there elements of teaching that are creative and I do love working with children, but I wasn’t following my heart. I didn’t bet on myself. I didn’t take the risk. I didn’t put myself out there. I doubted myself and my abilities. What if I never find a job? What if jobs are only in big cities far away from my family? What if I suck?
One day, I picked me. I was betting on myself! I stumbled into blogging. I never would have had the courage to walk away from teaching and pursue a new career path, but choosing to be a stay-at-home mom opened the door for me to explore myself. My blog is me, betting on myself. It is me, putting myself out there, finding my voice, sharing my ideas, connecting with people, exploring photography, creating, crafting, learning and pushing every.single.day. Some of you might be wondering, this is a career path? Why yes it is. It started as a hobby, but quickly grew into something I loved deeply. Isn’t there an old saying: “Do what you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life” or “Do what you love and the money will follow”. Am I doing this to make money? Not exactly, but if I can do what I love and make money at it, why wouldn’t I? Isn’t that the American dream?
At one point I thought I was crazy. Who am I to think I can have a voice, a community, a following, a book, an impact? Then I went to my very first ever blogging conference and I was surrounded by woman like me, I heard stories similar to mine and I met people who did all of those things. Yup, moms (just like me) who were betting on themselves and I was moved. If I ever wanted to be like them, I had to bet on myself. I know that this wont be easy or happen over night, but this is my passion and I am betting on myself and I hope you will do the same. (Bet on yourself that is, but you can bet on me too.)
With that being said, I have to say thank you to all of you who visit, read, comment, pin, share, & interact on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You give me the strength to bet on me. You make this blog & community possible. You make it possible for me to dream about the future. I hope you all have those cheerleaders in your corner making it possible to believe in yours.
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