(automatically, my mind finishes this sentence with “My name is HOV, H to the O, V!)

Good evening, errbody!

I hope today was a day to be proud of, one to smile at, one to make you look forward to the next. It’s been a while since I last posted anything on here and I decided I was ready to get back into sharing my life with whomever it sparks an interest with!

Back in December, 2017 (that was sooo last year), I officially decided to quit my corporate job. I was new to Texas from California and had taken the opportunity to get my first “corporate” job at age 30. Up until that point, I had created every career opportunity I had for myself (all while waiting tables of course). My life was satisfying! I wasn’t rich, I wasn’t poor, but I was happy and wealthy! The big move from state to state came during a transitional part of my life while I was deciding which way to go to continue my success and I chose to join the rat race!!! Yay, me!!! I thought, “Yeah, I need some consistency in my life. I need some real money! I need structure”! Boy, oh, boy was I wrong.

When I joined the rat race, I had decent money, and…. and…. and that’s pretty much it. I gave up everything else for that “security” I thought I needed to feel adequate about where I was in my life. My health went to crap because I had no time or energy left to expend on working out. Not to mention the struggle it was to maintain a decent diet on the road all day! My time disappeared because my days began at 5:30am and ended at 7:00pm. Both me and my car aged three times as fast because I was driving about 70-85 miles a day. My happiness deteriorated because I was unhealthy and just plain exhausted! I sacrificed all of ME and my creativity by boxing myself in an environment that was limiting and debilitating. I was left asking myself, “who am I doing this for”? It wasn’t for me and I wasn’t serving anyone else in a way that I cared to. So I concluded that I was serving someone else’s dream by sacrificing my own. It had to end. So, I decided to get creative again by sharing my experience right here on @steemit with some pretty cool people in the community! I wanted to capture the journey as I grinded it out every day up until the day I would quit. I was able to give you a glimpse of most of the journey, but I struggled documenting anything that was too negative, because let me tell you, there are a lot of negative days when you’re forcing yourself to do something you have no desire to do everyday, and nobody likes a Debby downer. Then, when I finally got to the finale of all I had been waiting for, I was so overwhelmed with mixed emotions that I couldn’t find the words or the focus to share it. Well, needless to say, I walked into that office on January 31st and said my goodbyes! I was so nervous about the whole thing because I loved the people I worked with and I truly thought the company was great. I didn’t want to be a disappointment, but let’s face it, I was only disappointing myself this whole time by being there. I was so relieved and thankful to receive the support and encouragement that the team gave me when I told them I was leaving. They hold a special place in my heart and they’ll never think anything of it because they have no idea what those 6 months meant for me and how they played a part in my life during that time (I just love people, so I’m so sentimental sometimes 🤗). While every day was a struggle working there, I truly worked hard, had some great success and appreciated the process I was undergoing for all that it was worth. I believe you gain something from every experience in life, good or hell, and that’s what I choose to focus on when things are grueling. Yes, much easier said than done, but the intention is there!

So where am I now, you ask?🤔 In my happy place!

Every day I get to wake up knowing that I have the opportunity to add value to a company I enjoy working with and to people who enjoy working with us! I get to tap into my creative mind to find ways to grow as a person, to help grow the company and make others smile! THIS IS WHAT I LOVE, PEOPLE! When you have the freedom and energy to tap into the things you’re most passionate about, it changes your world. I enjoy being back in the gym every day (or to be more realistic, every other day since we all a little lazy 😉). I enjoy sipping my coffee slowly in the comfort of my own home. I enjoy changing my atmosphere up if I decide I want to work in a different location with different vibes around. I enjoy constructing and reconstructing the ins and outs of the business. I enjoy helping those around me that I get to work with and those we serve in a special and unique way. I simply enjoy life again! It’s the little things… like that coffee in the morning.

To be able to find the peaceful moments throughout the day is so therapeutic and conducive to a better day served and lived. To each their own, yes, I know this. I just hope that whatever it is YOU decide to do in life, whether it be corporate or non corporate, you’re purely satisfied with how it speaks to your passion and aspirations in life. Do it wholly and do it authentically.

As for me, I have my feet planted again and I am back in my groove! I have no specific expectations for this platform and the community other than to learn and share what my heart feels a desire for. I can tell you that I enjoy fitness, food, work and new experiences, so expect a little bit of everything I suppose! Let’s get to know one another here and find what makes us happy!

Oh, and if you’re curious to get to know my new company… check out our website TheSleepyCottage.com. I’ll be posting more about it soon!

Have a wonderful night, y’all! (I’m, like, so Texas now, right?!)