The climb.
/I’m so stoked to write this because it isn’t some sob story like my last two posts, even though those were really dark times. It also isn’t a success story because I’m not quite there yet. This, my friend, is that awkward in-between update that you don’t always get to read about because it’s usually pretty boring. Or maybe it’s just not out there because it’s when you’re so caught up in your own life that you forget to write about it. Or maybe people don’t want to write about it because they want to wait until they’re at the “success” stage. I don’t know but I felt compelled to write so here I am and I’ll try to keep it short.
First of all, no - I don’t have a job yet and I’m not sure if I will anytime soon. It’s not that I didn’t like what was out there; actually, some of the positions and companies I did come across looked quite interesting but that was it. Just interesting. And for some reason that isn’t enough for me. Maybe I’m going through a weird phase but I kind of don’t want to work for anyone but myself right now; unless it’s something really effing cool that I’d enjoy. So instead, I’ve literally been living off my savings (and maybe a bit of my credit card, which I know I shouldn’t do… oops) while I figure out a way to make an income on my own and that’s what I’d like to share with you: this journey of figuring out how to live without a job.
Unfortunately, I haven’t quite figured things out yet but I’ve been listening to a ton of podcasts (my current favorites are Start Up, The Pitch, The Chalene Show, She Did it Her Way, Habitat, and pretty much anything else made by Gimlet Media) and through that, discovered the book Profit First by Mike Michalowicz (Thank you, Amanda). It’s pretty much a book about transforming your business from a cash-eating monster to a money-making machine because to be honest, I have no idea how to do that. Many people ask me if I make money from MLC and I’ll be totally upfront with you, I don’t. If anything, I just barely break even, if that and it’s kind of frustrating. I always thought that if I worked harder and just kept doing what I was doing that it would just magically work out somehow but now that I don’t have a job, I don’t have the money or time to figure things out that way. Shit, I still need to figure out how to pay next month’s rent. So the moment I heard about Profit First and what it was about, I ordered it online. Fast forward to today (aka a week later), I’m starting chapter two and I’m so excited and scared to see how things will play out from here.
Of course, that transition may take some time and there is no way that alone will help me pay my bills by next month so on top of that, I’ve been freelancing by doing some events for my chiropractor and I just got an opportunity to be a part-time consultant for a health-tech startup. I don’t know about you but to me, this is awesome because I can choose my own hours, work mostly from home and still have time to work on all my other passion projects!
A shot on top of moro rock from my one day road trip to Sequoia National park and back a couple days ago
As for the roommate situation, I finally furnished it and I currently have a temporary renter who is also a personal friend so I have more time to either find either a temp or maybe even a long term roommate. (Whew!!)
I feel like there’s so much more going on but I’ll stop there. If you’re wondering how I was able to turn my mind around, I recommend listening to The Chalene Show Podcast, Episode 306: 6 Morning Habits for Weight Loss with Shawn Stevenson during your morning commute. Odd enough, it’s not actually about weight loss but these morning habits that help you live a happier and healthier life which can eventually lead to weight loss. I like to ease things into my life so the one habit that I’m actively working on is “Focusing Your Power” aka writing three things I’m grateful for every morning. So many people have recommended I do this but it wasn’t until I listened to this episode that I decided to actually take action on it and it’s been so powerful. My mornings haven’t been perfect but they’re really improving and those baby steps are good enough for me. It’s a slow process but quitting won’t speed it up, right? Anyways, it’s getting late and I still need to read my 10 pages. If you’re interested in watching my journey first hand, follow my personal account on Instagram (@carrmelisaa) and watch my daily stories. I update that the most. Until next time!
xo, C