Take to the Oars

I saw this quote the other day, written on a chalkboard at a local restaurant where I was having coffee and writing time with myself. It really struck me, because of where I was in my life and because of the big changes I’ve made so far this year.

“If the wind won’t serve, take to the oars” – Latin Proverb

My mantra for the last 10 years or so has been “I am not my job” in times of stress or professional frustration. It was a reminder not to get so passionate about my work that I forgot to be myself. We’ve all been there, or at least anyone who has worked a day job, tried to support a family, and had creative ambitions has been there. 

Nothing is perfect, don’t get me wrong, but if you’re not struggling to make progress in a career then you’re either not growing or not trying to. There are limits, though, and boundaries that define what is a healthy amount of struggle and what is essentially a boot party on your living soul.

For me, the wind wasn’t serving. My skills are the strongest they’ve ever been in a professional sense, and despite my education, experience, and certifications – I wasn’t getting where I wanted to go. So I’m taking to the oars now, and I’m going it alone.

I am still in the process of transitioning mentally. No longer a full-time employee with a title that’s backed by someone else’s authority, I am embarking on this journey as a freelancer with hope for an adventurous (and prosperous) future. That will be a story for another blog, someday, but for now I am simply embracing my freedom and my quest to rediscover my professional identity outside of the credentials on a business card. 

This blog will be a project I do for myself, and any kindred spirits out there who might relate. My creative journey has always taken a backseat, so this is my first foray into making it a higher priority. I’m excited to start creating more content, both written and recorded, that makes me happy and feeds my creative fuel tank.

Thanks for reading this far, and I hope you’ll consider subscribing. 😉