A stray cat walked into my house and threw up into my shoes… so I quit my job.
Heh, my husband was confused too but stick with me…
A couple weeks ago, we had a stray kitten wander into our yard and then eventually into our house. He was a sweet little thing and even though I swore no more cats, it was clear he was making himself at home. Unfortunately the food we so graciously bestowed upon our new guest didn’t agree with him; a few minutes after coming inside, he threw up in my work shoes.
Yep, this one!
I’m a simple gal with cheap simple tastes so I only owned two pairs of “work shoes” – both sets were solid black flats. And of course the pair he threw up on were ones that couldn’t be cleaned.
So while thanking the Universe for the cat throwing up on my shoes and not the carpet (it’s the little things…) I realized I had three choices:
- Waste my time and try to clean the vomit off of my shoes without ruining them.
- Find money in the budget for new shoes.
- Quit my job.
Okay so maybe I was looking for a sign where there really wasn’t one but…
I Quit My Job to Become a Professional Blogger
I’ve been with my current company for nearly five and a half years and I’m not in love with it anymore. I’m grateful for what it’s taught me and for the people I’ve worked with, but I’ve tried to force myself down that road for too long now. For two and a half years (almost exactly!) I’ve been ignoring my gut and fighting against the resistance that was this pathway. I have not been fully living the life that the Universe wants me to live.
It’s time to let go of the stress of my office job so that I can focus on the passion found within this website.
I genuinely love building the community that is Thrifty Guardian, which in my opinion is beyond even the top lifestyle blogs. I have so many amazing readers (like you!) and I want more time to help all of you unveil and achieve your own ambitions.
Too much time is spent ignoring dreams, thinking we’re too old, too young, too poor, too inexperienced. No more of that!
Will it be easy? Heck no. I know I’m in for even more late nights and early mornings. We’re only able to do this because of how much debt we’ve paid down recently and because of the thorough budget I’ve already developed.
So can I tell you the most frightening part? The part that absolutely rattles me?
For my entire life, it’s all I’ve ever wanted…and now that it’s here…
I’m scared
What if I end up hating it? Or if I’m awful at it? What if my kids get bored with me? So many what ifs…
I’m also really excited, though. So I’m focusing on those feelings and not giving any power to the “what ifs” (as loud as they may be right now).
I had no idea just how much emotional weight I’d been carrying around until it was finally lifted off of me. Parts of me that had fallen asleep are now reawakening (buzzy tingles and all!) It’s a brand new chapter and one that I’m oh-so-ready for.
UPDATE:
I have since launched a services site a blog mentor, called AmberLozzi.com
After only ten days, this site saw:
- An average of 1,200 PVs/day
- 650+ opt-in to the e-mail list
- Traffic from a $0.11 Facebook ad (CPC)
- Nearly 350 join my Facebook group
Hmm, yeah, I’d say I made the right decision. Heh, what do you think?
And guess what the best part is? I did it all MYSELF while being a work-at-home mom with two little ones.
It hasn’t been easy, but I couldn’t be happier and I know thing will only continue to grow from here.
Thrifty Guardian was founded as a way to help parents lead richer lives through money saving tips, side hustle ideas, and parenting advice (including fun DIYs and recipes!)
I’m so happy for you guys! And excited for what comes next with the website!
Thank you so much! Lots of great things in store!
Wow! This is so amazing! I wish you the best of luck and will stay tuned to see how it goes!
Thank you! I’m oh-so-very giddy about it!
Love this…sometimes we just need to trust our gut and take a leap…good for you!! I wonder if that cat was sent to you for precisely this reason..a little woo woo but makes ya think..good luck in your new adventure!
Thank you! I truly do believe that EVERYTHING happens for a reason…heh even if that involves cat puke. Blech.
Yay! Way to go! I so want to quit my job… Feeling the same as you, but I just can’t pull that trigger.
What’s stopping you? I mean obviously I don’t recommend quitting without a plan but…
Don’t make the same mistake I did – I was unhappy with my job for nearly THREE years before I finally quit. That is way, way too long to be weighed down like that.
You did the right thing. If you keep on waiting for the right time, it will never come. You got a chance and you made a right choice.
It would be very difficult and at times, you will think you made a wrong choice. I have done that myself and have been through it. But if you keep going… just a little more further… everything will be fine.
Good luck 🙂
Thank you so much!! I don’t doubt there will be times I question my decision (especially when both toddlers are throwing tantrums and I’ll have no where to run!!) but I have zero doubt that this is the best decision I could have made for myself and my family.
It’s great to see someone follow their dreams! Good luck!
Thank you, Frank!!
I really love your honesty about being scared ! Its a typical reaction but a pain in the butt! I do the same when reality good or bad is staring me in the face. I bet you do great 🙂
Thanks, Kate! I’m more excited than scared but the fear is definitely still there – not just the fear of being a work-at-home mom, but the fear of failing at this business. Can’t let it get the best of me, though!
I love the title of this–it’s the reason I opened it up! In December, my husband and I bought our first house because of our cats. (Long story short, the apartment complex didn’t much appreciate the two we had and the addition of two new stray rescue kittens!) It’s interesting how God can work those big life choices from something as lovely as a new cat!
Thank you, Katelin! The Universe works in mysterious ways 😉
OH YAY! This is an awesome post! You can do this… the Universe has given you a sign… Now follow your dreams xx
Thank you, Clare!! 🙂
Nothing like some cat vomit to steer you in a new direction! So glad you’re following your dream and it is paying your way – so many other people would like to be in the same boat as you 🙂
Aw – how cute in the cat?! Great that you’re following a passion – good luck with it all!
Thank you! And it’s a good thing he’s cute, I don’t deal with vomit very well…
Funny, how the universe speaks in strange ways. You were courageous to follow your dream to where you were meant to be. Great post.
Thank you! Tell the Universe you’re ready and great things will come your way!
Congratulations on your new venture!! I did the same (quit a 20+ year high powered career to pursue my passions) and am so proud that I did, especially after having been paralyzed by fear for years. Fear of regretting it, fear of never working again, fear of going broke. So much FEAR. I finally decided I was done being afraid, I only have one life, and I was going to give it a shot. Worst case scenario, I could always go back to Corporate America. Well – so far so good. Not an ounce of regret, and so far only excitement at all the opportunities and doors opening up. That’s not to say I won’t ever go back, but my only regret regarding taking the leap at this point in my life is not having done it sooner!
Thank goodness for the cat!
Right?? Love him!!