How to Be Fearless

This post has been such a long time coming, and I’m so excited to finally hit publish. We haven’t had a heart-to-heart in a while, so brace yourself…because a lot of life has happened in the past few months.

It’s been exactly a month now since I became officially self-employed. If you haven’t caught on via Instagram, or heard me say it directly…then let me catch you up! After 5 years of hard work, determination, faith, and perseverance… I am now a full-time blogger and content creator.

I cannot even begin to tell you how GOOD it feels to say that out loud….or, via blog.

Despite the eye-rolls and chuckles I get from time-to-time; whether it be from people who cannot wrap their minds around how this title generates income, or others who may be bitter that they didn’t think to try it out for themselves, either way, I let them fuel my fire to succeed.

In fact, in one way or another, it was others’ negativity, doubt, judgement, and whatever else you can think of that got me here. Of course there’s been a LOT of support, love, and affirmation from the supportive people around me, but a lot of that little voice inside my head saying “keep going” has been thanks to the people who say I couldn’t do it.

From the moment I started my blog, it filled me up to my CORE with happiness and fulfillment. Everything about the process brought me joy. The photo taking, editing, writing, styling, business management, planning, organization, site design, administrative work…you name it. When I was working for myself and growing my blog, my heart was radiating with joy. That feeling is how I even made it this far. It’s been 5 long years on this road of ups and downs, and I know that there is SO much more ahead of me. But never once did I think about quitting. I loved blogging too much to care what others thought about it.

Not only did I face blogging boundaries in my personal life, but I was also faced with much adversity in my work life as well.

When I moved to Los Angeles and started my first “real” fashion industry job, I was the over-achiever. I came in early, I stayed late, I gladly wore many hats, and I loved every bit of it. My blog was still so new, and I had no idea what I was even really doing with it, so it never got in the way of my 9-5 work life. Even then I can say I was faced with adversity, but I was still so green in this industry that I didn’t let it phase me.

It wasn’t until my next 3 positions following my first fashion industry job, I saw things unfold before my eyes, and my ability to deal with the bullshit and mistreatment became non-existent. I began to see through the owners of companies that did such a good job of acting like everything was great on the outside just to get me in. As soon as the walls came down, I quickly realized I was again in a situation I needed to get myself out of.

Even still, I cannot tell you why some past bosses disliked me.

I’d always been the over-achiever…the “it’s okay I’ll stay all night long and then come in before the sun rises tomorrow so we can get this done” employee. But then…I started to realize this mindset is not what life is all about. At least, it wasn’t for me anymore.

I found it impossible to sit in meetings where owners would tear employees apart just because they could. Also, I became unmotivated to continue working my ass off for an owner who laughed at me when I asked for a raise after a year of hard work so that I could afford my rent. In addition, I started to shut out the voices from upper management that enjoyed making an employee uncomfortable. Honestly, I no longer got excited when bosses would talk about all the potential the future held for their company because it was impossible for me to see myself in that future. Their future.

I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, or when I was going to do it…

But I knew that I was made for so much more than to be stuck at a 9-5 job with a boss who’s joy came from my misery. Also, I knew that I could pave my own way. Make money living out my passion every single day. Enjoy this life that I am so blessed to have.

As soon as I started to envision what my life could be, this dream life…I lost sight of all else.

Life is about moments that ignite you, that set your soul on fire…and that leave you breathless. Life is about quiet mornings, mid-day walks on the beach, extra long lunch dates with your significant other or best friend, impromptu week-day getaways. It’s about seeing the beauty in the mundane, everyday details that you don’t always notice. It’s about those moments that make you wonder how you got so lucky to be living this life that you live; this life that you created.

After 4 years in L.A., I finally made the jump.

I was in a very unique contract-to-hire situation where, the contract ended and I just didn’t get hired. LOL. Plain and simple. Again – overcoming adversity in the workplace usually helps you get to your REAL next step. The next step in your story where things start to change. For the better.

There are a LOT of other details leading up to this moment in June where I knew I was ready (actually if we’re being honest I’d been planning for this ending to the corporate lifestyle since around April…but God works in mysterious ways and took matters into His own hands on this one and I didn’t have to actually put my 2 weeks in THANK GOODNESS); and I’m SO excited for that post because I have a LOT to say about what I’ve learned since last October when things really changed for me. But we’ll get there eventually.

For now, what I have to say is this:

If there is something that tugs at your heart strings every.single.day, and you cannot help yourself but think about how much better your life would be if you just finally went for it…then please. I BEG OF YOU.

Just go for it.

Sure, you should have a bit of a savings account to make sure that if everything TRULY FAILS, then your bills will be paid and you will not be homeless.

But stop making excuses. It’s very rare “the right time” comes along. It’s never the right time to do anything scary. That’s why it’s scary – because we have NO IDEA what the outcome will be. There’s no roadmap, no 401k plan, no health insurance…no nothing. It’s just you, yourself, and your passion. Face to face, head to head, every single day.

But that’s why this is magic.

And that’s why it’s worth it all.

Because in the end, even if you fail…you still get to say you were fearless in the pursuit of what you wanted. Even if it was just for that moment in time; just that one chapter of your life.

You still did it.

You have the power to wake up on a Monday morning and be excited to open up your inbox. Also, you get to say who can or can’t ruin your day, not your boss. Furthermore, you can take that lunch time meeting, or you can take a drive to anywhere. You can work from a coffee shop, or you can work in your pajamas in bed. Take a 2 week vacation and work from the hotel or turn your OOO on. You can finally do what YOU want to do.

And there are going to be people who have a lot of negative things to say. They’re going to laugh, roll their eyes, say you’re naive or just down right crazy. But let them – because those are the people who will be watching you, wide-eyed and in disbelief, when you keep growing into who you were always meant to be.

The best part of that?

No matter what happens – if you make the leap of faith and fall flat on your face…you will still win. Because failure is what continues to shape you into the person that you were put on this earth to be. Success is great; success is the goal. But failures are what teach us how to keep moving forward, and keep bettering ourselves.

So no matter what…you will win. You just have to make the conscious decision to get out of your own way, and be fearless. No matter the cost.

“Forget the risk and take the fall, if it’s meant to be, then it’s worth it all.” – Unknown.

Because at the end of the day, why not?

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Olay. The opinions and text are all mine.