I took a leap of faith, and it was scary as hell. Here is my story…
ROCK BOTTOM IS THE BEST FOUNDATION
On April 1, 2016 I worked my last day at my full-time job. While I loved (and still adore) the people I worked with, I became extremely unhappy. I won’t go into details, because that’s not what this post is about, but it was a tough situation. I like to think I’m a generally happy-go-lucky gal, but I became so unhappy and overwhelmed that it started to effect my heath.
I’m not an anxious person, but had three panic attacks in two months. When I went for my annual OB/GYN appointment the doctor wouldn’t even write me a new birth control prescription because my blood pressure was so high. I actually rolled my eyes and promised her I’d do better if she would just write the script because I needed to get back to work. I actually said that!
I was becoming this person I didn’t like. Two weeks later I put in my notice at work. But, I figured out a plan.
I had this very basic blogspot blog that I started a little while ago as a creative outlet. I didn’t do much with it, but over the past few months I was actually making some minor money doing sponsored posts. Maybe that’s something?
OK, NOW WHAT?
My blog was crap. The photos were crap. My outfits were crap. No one was really reading it either. But, what if I put in more effort? Could this be something? I bought thenomisniche.com domain name and started building a website. I had no clue what I was doing. But I spent 48 hours (no sleep) trying to teach myself how to code and build a website that I had no idea how to build.
I had quit my job and all I had was this blog that no one was reading. What the hell was I doing?! I prayed. A lot. I had no other option other than to pour EVERY BIT OF ENERGY I had into it. I figured I had enough savings to get me by for six months, but I would need some sort of supplemental income.
I took on social media management jobs, I watched houses, I dog-sat… I did everything I could for some extra money. All my outfit posts were from thrift store, and I only had enough money to buy those thrifted pieces because I had been selling all the other clothes in my closet. I was broke, but I was loving every minute of it.
WHAT THE HELL HAVE I DONE?
Six months went by. My savings diminished. I knew I had to get a job that paid consistently. I thought my career in TV was done, so I was applying to retail positions because it just made sense. Nothing. I prayed that a part-time position would pop up so that I could continue working on my blog and make some money to pay the bills.
In the meantime, I spent every waking moment trying to make my blog better. I was commenting on 75 blogs a day in hopes of getting noticed. I was liking 200 photos a day on Instagram and commenting on at least 100 of them. I was sending direct messages to brands I found on Instagram in hopes that they would want to work with me. If I woke up at 4am… I would try and do double what I did the day before. I had no other option. This had to work.
AND THEN THIS HAPPENED
In December 2016 I got a phone call about a new lifestyle show popping up in Vegas. They were looking for a host. Mind you, I had already written off TV. I had given up on that dream. Plus, after months of busting my ass for the blog, I was finally seeing some results. I was fully prepared to say no when they suggested a part-time position.
I was house-sitting for a friend at the time (again, trying to make some money) and didn’t have any of my clothes other than a pair of pants! I ended up wearing clothes out of her closet to the interview. I wore 6 inch heels to the interview because those were the only shoes in her closet that fit me.
Anyways… I got the job. I was now doing exactly what I had dreamed of doing since I was a little girl. I was hosting a show. I was also fulfilling my new dream of running a blog that, after much hard work, was actually paying the bills.
THREE YEARS LATER
I look back on that first year with my blog and all the confusion that went with it and it makes me so happy. I took a huge ass risk. It didn’t make sense and it was incredibly scary. Most times I felt like a fraud, but I couldn’t give up because I put way too much time and effort into it.
What started as a creative outlet where I could share my outfits has morphed into this space where I can write about not just fashion and beauty, but my adventures of motherhood and thoughts on life in general. You all have followed along as I announced we were engaged, got married, had a baby and everything in between. I really can’t thank you enough for your support!
I still have a very long way to go, and I still have those moments where I question whether I’m good enough. But, hot damn! I’m a lot farther than I was three years ago. And guess what? All those prayers I prayed were answered. Just at the right time.
Love, Lindsey
