Last year on this day, April 1st, I had finally taken the plunge and left my full-time job. I felt relieved, excited, a little scared and overwhelmed all at the same time. I finished my last day as a Account clerk for the City of North Miami here in Florida, where I had been for 7 1/2 years, and while it certainly wasn’t a bad job, I knew deep in my heart that I was meant for something else. I was simply out of place.

On April 1st, 2022, many thoughts crept in, like “Will I be able to make a living off of my business?”, to “how do I start my new day to day routine?” to “Oh shit… I’m in charge now!!” … But overall, I was in a place where I really didn’t feel like I had a choice anymore. I was tired of telling myself no to opportunities that came up because I always had to be on somebody else’s schedule, I was tired of leaving my toddler for 8 hours a day, when all I really wanted was to work from home and spend more time with my family, I was tired of being in a position where I was living below my potential and not able to utilize all of my skills and interests and of course… I was desperate to feel passionate about what I was doing.

For years I just felt like I was stuck in the matrix just falling into redundant routine, and one day I realized that what might seem perfect for others, may not be perfect for you. This is where the key lies. Not to get influenced by other people’s opinion, but finding the courage to go against what everyone else wants you to do, or tells you that you ‘should’ do, if, at the end of the day, you are not madly in love with what you do.

Fast forward to today, April 1st, 2023, I sit here and think “oh my, what a difference a year makes!” Not only have I been able to make a living off of what I absolutely love, but I have streamlined my activities to focus on what is important (a miracle for me who is a bit on the artistic side and like to deal with things at the spur of the moment), I get to spend every day with my babies and work from the comfort of my own home, and not have to endure that hour and 20 minute grueling commute every day and waste time being in a car, and I feel like what I do actually helps people and make them feel like they can do whatever they want to do too.  Most importantly – I can finally be ME! Unapologetically, without having to fit into any type of mold, I can do whatever I want to do, say whatever I want to say, and work with whoever I want to work with.  Sure, there might be a couple of things in my business I’m not jumping up and down to do, but because I have a clear sense of WHY I’m doing what I’m doing and what my ultimate goal is, I gladly do them because at the end of the day they allow me to live a life that finally is in alignment with my values and with my personality.  Having a purpose for why you do things in life, is key to everything.

Another miraculous thing happens too when you open yourself up to be the best version of yourself. You start attracting other like minded people into your life like yourself, who inspire you, show you what’s possible and open up a whole new world of opportunities for you.  I wouldn’t be able to do it without GOD and the support of my amazing husband, he has been so supportive, lifts me up and encourage me on a daily basis.   That’s what happens when you have the right people around when you decide to follow your heart and go for what sets your soul on fire. My husband has such a positive influence on me, I sometimes wonder how I got so lucky and how would I exist without his support system.  But everything happens in its own time, and it happened to me last year because I was finally READY.

Now, I will not pretend that it all has been a smooth journey and that I haven’t had days where I found things challenging, a little scary and unsettling,  because let’s face it – as a new full time entrepreneur when you are just starting to set up your systems and get familiar with your new way of life and of doing business, you don’t really know what your next month will look like.  But I decided it was more important for me to trade certainty for passion. That was what living meant to me. I will choose passion and happiness any day over certainty, mediocrity and having a “decent” life.  Because I know great is within reach for all of us!

There is such enormous freedom in knowing that I, and only I, am in charge of my life, and I have the power to change things I don’t like or am not happy with. There is nobody else to blame or complain about, which is probably one of the best things about having chosen this way of life for myself. I hated feeling like I was giving away my power when I was pointing at other people for the problems or tough days I was going through. As if they were in charge of my day or my life, and that I had to just comply, or else… Like being in a prison!!  I now know that the only person I should be pointing at is myself. If something is not working 100% the way I want to, I examine it, put more work in or revise what I’m doing.  This always works, because I never quit, I keep going because I know I will eventually succeed. Having an unwavering belief in yourself is crucial when choosing a passion-based life. 

There is so much personal growth that goes on when you choose yourself, whether it is choosing to go into business for yourself, choosing to believe that you deserve that raise, that loving relationship, or even those extra few hours a week where you only focus on yourself and take care of you.  Ultimately, when you have an inner voice that tells you “I deserve more”, it’s there for a reason. Don’t ignore it.  When you start listening to it and respecting that voice, you are respecting yourself, and in turn – other people will start respecting you as well and you will get what you want and need in life.  This is how the Universe works.

Take it from me: it feels SO good to take a chance on yourself and finally make the best out of this one life we’ve been given. If you know what I’m talking about, wonderful, and I’m so happy for you! If not, why not decide to choose to believe that you can do whatever you put your mind to and see what happens?! Most often we end up astounding ourselves. Get in touch with me if you think I could support you – @ven_denim or check out my website if you would like to support me at vendenim.com.