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| top - pants - belt - earrings :: Forever 21 shoes :: JustFab.com |
You might know I'm a graphic designer, but what you might not know is what I do for my day job.
There seems to be this transition period that happens before you can turn your dreams and passions into a full time gig. Instead of jumping the gun on my design business, I've been putting on my big girl heels during the day, kicking them off after I beat the five o'clock traffic, and then settling down with my Adobe Creative Suite during the evening hours.
I'm working as a real estate agent's assistant around five hours a day, and although it might not be that ideal situation I'd hoped for after graduation, I have to admit I feel it's a really good place for me to be right now.
Sure, I could be looking elsewhere and applying for big-time graphic designer positions, and I've felt pressured to do this in the past... to be better than where I'm at, to keep up with expectations, to please others in the hopes that it might be what's best for me... but when I really think about it, I know it's not the direction I desire at this point.
To be honest, I'm happy where I'm at - the pay is fair, the hours are flexible and convenient, the people I work with have turned into really good friends, and not to mention I have a wonderful boss who appreciates and treats me better than any manager or corporation I've worked for in the past.
There's no doubt about it - I'll keep working for that day when I'll be able to focus 100% on running my design shop, adding beautiful pieces to my portfolio, and loving every second of being on my own, but what I've realized is this...
Sometimes it's OK to let go of the anxiety of what we should be doing.
Sometimes it's OK to just be grateful and content with our current situation.
And sometimes it's OK to trust that everything will fall into place... exactly when it needs to.
We are in similar situations! By day, I am an assistant at a Property Management company. I don't talk about work a lot because it's not really what I want to be doing long-term. People ask why I'm not writing or doing something else full-time...and you're right, it's not that easy sometimes! Hopefully one day my passions can become my career, but until then I'm still so happy doing blogging and writing on the side. :)
ReplyDeleteps - cute pictures!
You gotta do what you have to in order to pay those bills, which in turn allows you to do what you love. They aren't always going to be the same thing. Eventually, I think that's what we all want, but it takes awhile to get there. I love that you shared this!
ReplyDeleteVery beautifully said. I've struggled with finding my way in the world and feeling frustrated because things haven't fallen into place yet. But I'm growing to be okay with my situation of this full-time student gig. I might not be studying for my ideal job but it'll work as a good stepping stone to where I want to eventually end up: independent and free.
ReplyDeleteSo thank you for such an inspiring post and those shoes look gorgeous on you! ;)
xo, Adriana from Horses of Ares.
I really love your outfit! And your haircut and those pumps! You just look sooo adorable!
ReplyDeleteAnd when it comes to the job... Well, I'm currently not working because studying architecture takes all my available hours, so it's not possible. But if you enjoy what you're doing, then keep at it!
Xo, Aleksandra.
Hi!
ReplyDeleteThis post hits so close to home! I'm a graphic designer too and can relate to this post so much!
Thanks for the lovely post, I really needed this :)
xx
http://pantonesandposes.blogspot.com
I can relate so much to this post...
ReplyDeletethank you!!
xo Bea
dailylivingingeneva.blogspot.com
I think we can all relate to this post! I. Ironically am a real estate agent. I long for the day where I can have an assistant :) but right now I still have to other jobs to pay the bills. Namely, cleaning houses. It's not glamorous by a long shot, but it's flexible & pays very well - gotta do what you gotta do.
ReplyDeleteI really needed this today. I'm feeling a lot like I should jump the gun that I'm not appreciated that I actually sometimes don't really see what I should see.
ReplyDeleteSometimes life's very pressure-ful!
xx
Hello hot stuff! You look sassy and adorable!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder that it IS ok to let go of the anxiety of what I *should* be doing. That's something I struggle with. I have to remember this is where my life is right now and it IS okay.
I love this post! Seems like you are making the right decisions for you, and that's more than most people can say!
ReplyDeleteI could have written this myself :) I am working at a medical sales company doing office assistant work but during my down time I am building my photography business and blogging. I definitely hope to make it my full-time thing. I'm constantly working towards that. I just get so impatient.. :) Keep workin' towards your dreams, love! xo
ReplyDeleteYou are adorable! I love this outfit, especially the blue belt. Having a job that you're happy with is so important in life and it sounds like you hit the jackpot (especially with the flexible hours) and if you need more to add to your portfolio I could use a blog update ;)
ReplyDeletexx
I absolutely adore your final statement in this post. Well that and your outfit, but namely the final statement! Thank you for your insight and sharing a big of your personal life with us! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteOH my goodness this is exactly how I feel! I quit my job to move to Indiana...so I sorta had the opportunity to do creative things full time, & I did...but I don't have a big client base, or sales in my shops, etc for it to be worth while right now.
ReplyDeleteI could go get a demanding creative job (if I could find one :( ) but I'd rather be an administrative assistant or receptionist or something. I like the work, it's fun & different that what my passion is so It's like a break that pays me. I think it's ok to be satisfied with where you are. I don't want to work for the man all my life, I want to work for me....and jobs like this give us the opportunity to. I think it's perfectly fine to want to work in a great environment doing something you appreciate. Why do we always have to go for 'the next best thing'? Too many people aren't satisfied & when we are, we feel bad....like we're missing something.
So I think your day job is great. I'm looking for something like that right now where I'm not burnt out at the end of the day & can focus on creativity!
as always. You go girl.
I'm happy for you! Your job sounds pretty awesome!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love this outfit! You are too cute!
This outfit is fantastic...and so are you! <3
ReplyDeleteI definitely can relate to this. My day job is being a web developer, and despite the fact that I'm sorta not happy with the job I'm in right now, I'm also sort of grateful because the company I'm working at right now is a brand new consulting agency, and it's been really educational to be in a situation where I'm a little more aware of the process of courting potential clients... Something I've had little experience with. I can see that being helpful down the line!
ReplyDeleteI totally understand where you're coming from. There are times when I think I should get a full time design job, but the thing is, I know I won't be happy. So for now, I'm sticking with my part time design job until I can branch off on my own. Or until this job becomes full time, which I totally wouldn't mind because the woman I work for is awesome!
ReplyDeleteI agree. While my job isn't the most exciting, the pay is great, hours are good, the people I work with are lovely and the company values me. It's pretty great. I know I won't be doing this for much longer too which makes it not so bad that it's a bit of a mundane job..is that the right word? You look awesome PS!
ReplyDeleteI can understand. I need to go back to school soon-I make good money, have good benefits, but am not doing something I love. I need to go after something I love. For now, this is a good place to stay until I can make my real dreams a reality...
ReplyDeleteYou look so cute in these photos- you remind me a bit of the gorgeous Ashley Green (twilight)! Love the outfit too!
ReplyDeleteLindsey
thriftandshout.blogspot.com
!!! I totally thought design *was* your day job. Color me surprised. Regardless, if you're happy with where you're at and what you're working towards, that's all that really matters. Looking cute doing it, too! ;)
ReplyDeleteAwe, I loved this! If YOU are happy that is all that matters.
ReplyDeleteI can so relate to this. I've been looking into this self employment idea recently, turning it around in my head, weighing it out... Some days I just think I should just go for it! Other days I'm more reserved and that I should research some more and plan it out.
ReplyDeleteMy day job is with an ecommerce site and while I don't LOVE it, I also don't hate it. It pays the bills, the benefits are great, but it's just a bit boring.
Your last few lines. Wow. I need to print those out and read them every day. :)
And I actually totally thought your day job was as a graphic designer! I checked your portfolio the other day and I love your work. Are you taking any work? If I do end up doing my self employed idea, it'll probably be in January(hopefully!) and I'd love some graphics done for the site. Let me knowwwww :D
I love the belt! Your blog is adorable. I'm a new follower!
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely correct! Cute outfit btw:)
ReplyDeleteThe other person whose expectations matter are YOUR OWN. And maybe Josh's. ;) I love this post and I think it's so important in our "rat race" society to appreciate what we have, while we have it. And you're 100% correct: when it's time to chase graphic design full time, it'll happen. Like anything else, if you go after it before you're really ready, it won't work out the way it should anyway. And "should" is a dangerous word. Someone once told me, "stop should-ing all over yourself." Love it.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! I'm learning daily to quit rushing to the place I think I ought to be, and just enjoy what I've been blessed with for now.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog! I am joining your from Yours Truly!
ReplyDeleteGreat attitude! Sometimes you don't get your number 1 choice, but it turns out to be just okay like that! =)
ReplyDeleteGreat point(s). =) I think way too much emphasis has been put on doing the work you love. That didn't use to factor in. Sometimes you have to do your duty, and find joy and contentment there.
ReplyDelete