Reflections and new beginnings
Hello fabulous WA Community! Hope you're all doing well in your part of the world. I don't blog here much at all now, in fact the last time I blogged here was over a year ago. But I'd like to take some time to reflect on things, partly to share with you, and partly to go through the process of writing it, which in many ways can be quite cathartic.
Reflections
A lot has happened for me. For some context, let's go back to that fateful year - 2020. This was a year that really changed me ... in the best possible way. It made me realise that life before COVID was stressful, even though I didn't really know it at the time. There were too many things happening. Too much noise. Too much stuff. Trying to fit everything in. Not enough quiet time. Not enough time to reflect. I was on the go ALL THE TIME. Work. Kids. After school activities. Family stuff. Home stuff. ALL OF THE STUFF.
It was so good to slow down. To not go out. To not have to be somewhere. It was wonderful just to breathe and enjoy what we have. The relationships we have. The friendships we have. The four legged family member (Peggy the Pug) who has been overjoyed that we are home all day every day.
Many things that used to be important to me simply aren't anymore. I was very keen on fashion and was happy to part with my hard earned dollars to have the new pair of amazing shoes, the fabulous jacket, the designer handbag. And whilst I still like fashion, I really couldn't care about buying it anymore. Like many, I've been working from home since March 2020, so buying clothes for work hasn't been a thing. Now the thought of putting on a pair of heels seems ridiculous. Wearing a suit and getting dressed up seems ridiculous.
Now I really take pride in my little garden. I enjoy walking and going to the beach. I walk around the lake and watch the ducklings
Realisations
It also made me realise something else that had been hard to accept - I was in a workplace that was bad for my physical and mental health. The physical separation from it made it crystal clear. I realised that because I had been so deep in it, I was making excuses for people just to get through each day. I would tell myself:
"They're just having a bad day."
"I'm sure they didn't really mean that."
"Maybe I'm being too sensitive."
"My tiredness is making this seem worse than what it is."
"It will be better tomorrow."
Etc.
And then there was a particular situation that was like a slap across the face - I knew I was in a terrible environment, and that environment wasn't going to change.
An Action
When you learn something like that, you can't unlearn it - it doesn't go away.
So as everyone started to recently return to the office ..... I didn't! I said goodbye to my professional career. I actually did it. I finished up a little over a week ago.
It was pretty scary because my professional career has spanned about 25 years. It was what I studied, and what I know. And I was earning some decent $$ too.
But alas, no more corporate life for me!
A Challenge
So what now?
Well. I am using all of the skills I have picked up from this wonderful platform to join my husband and his business partner in their software business. It's a little scary because I don't have the security of my job anymore, but it's also very exciting. It is a massive learning curve for me, and a HUGE amount of work, but I'm up for the challenge.
The great thing about it is that it's all for us. It's for our family. We hope to build something we can be proud of that will take our family forward.
Focus
So what exactly will I be doing?
In the beginning I'll be:
- Creating user guides for our software
- Creating video demos of our software and 'how to' videos
- Building our social media presence across selected social media platforms (LinkedIn, Twitter, FB, Pinterest and Insta)
- Developing training modules
- Blogging and posting news stories
- Helping clients create solutions that work for them
Many of the skills I have honed through the training here on this platform, and continue to learn with the Expert classes. I'm finding that I get tangible information from the classes that I can translate into actions.
There's a lot to do. But you know what? I'm working to my own schedule so I can be with my boys when they need me. I am actively learning new things and challenging myself.
The future is exciting.
Use What's Here in WA to Move Forward
We have a huge amount of resources at our fingertips on this platform if we decide we want to use them. The classes are exceptional. The tools are all here. We have the ability to change our lives, or as Cassi of Troy says, 'Change Your Script'!
Everything we need is here.
Thanks for reading. Wishing you all a wonderful New Year, and much success in your chosen businesses.
With kindness and gratitude,
Melissa
Recent Comments
28
Your story is Amazing and Gratifying. You have taken a huge step. I know it is scary and a real challenge but you have what it takes to make anything work. I can feel your strength in the words you write. Go forward into that Good night where all your dreams hopes and wishes come true.
Thanks, Virginia. It certainly is a bit scary but I really feel ready, and we're throwing ourselves at this opportunity to do something great.
Wishing you every success Virginia in your pursuits as well.
Cheers
Melissa
Congratulations on realizing how little things make the day.
Usually, we wait too long to make a change.
Looking forward to seeing you here more often.
Sami
Wow, Melissa! You have grabbed the Bull by the horns, and are making it work--along with the help of Peggy of course!
Happy 2023--the world is opening up to your talents!
Jeff🐶🐶😹
Wow indeed! It's going to be a big year ahead. And I'm really looking forward to it. Peggy will of course need to meet her performance targets. I've explained the expectations and she wagged so I guess she's up for the challenge too :)
Happy 2023 to you too, Jeff! It will be a great year for us both my friend! And of course for our Furry Assistants!!
Cheers
Melissa and Peggy
As long as Peggy holds up her end, you will be fine, Melissa!
Happy 2023, and I know that with our furry assistants, we will succeed!
Cheers,
Jeff🐶😹🐶
See more comments
Melissa, this very inspiring. Making such a decision to quit a career job is not easy. But thank you for having done it. Secondly, the lessons picked from what seems to have been a terrible period!! It is the period when I decided to look for a way to work from any part of the world. I looked for an online work. That is how I landed on WA. And I am training. Although I have not yet quit my career job, I am not seeing myself keeping it for a long time.
Thank you for joining your best friend and decide to work together. I am sure everything will go well and give it all your energy. Have a successful 2023.
Thanks, Joseph! Sometimes it takes some negative experiences to really solidify that actions need to be taken.
It sounds like you've also made some big choices! Stick with the training. Keep going. Build your skill set. Get some wins and keep moving forward.
Wishing you every success and a wonderful year ahead.
Cheers
Melissa
Thank you very much, Melissa, for such encouragement. You have powered me up for 2023. Happy 2023