Trading the Corner Office for a Kitchen Table

Harvey Mackay once said what is now a famous quote, "Do something that you love and you'll never work a day in your life." Having been in the workplace since 1998 (wow, that's last century!), I didn't understand that. Wasn't work supposed to feel like work?

Since 2000, I've been a working mom, so I really thought that work was just supposed to feel like work. My life was chaotic most of the time—balancing a job, a family, and maintaining a household on a daily basis. While I was promoted and made a career through those years, I don't think I would tell anyone that I "loved" what I did. I was good at what I did, but that's very different.

It wasn't until this past year that I paused and asked myself, "What do you love doing?"

Did I really love being in an office all the time? Did I love the pressure of being an executive leader for a company I had no stake in and never would (due to it being family-owned)? Did I love the stress of making sure the finances worked out every month? And overall, did I love the industry I was in and could I see myself doing the same thing until I retired?

When I started to answer my own questions, I surprised myself. By this time, both my kids were out of the house and my husband had a stable, successful career, so I decided to do something I had been denying myself for a long time. Tell myself the truth!

So I said, "NO."

Then what did I love? I love being creative. I love writing. I love cooking and baking. I love making things with my hands. I love the idea that I can work for myself. I love making my everyday meaningful and contributing to the world in a positive way.

What could a fifty and seasoned woman with a lifetime of bills and debt do to transition into doing something she loves, but was a bit risky from a financial perspective?

Well, I quit my full-time job. I know, I'm crazy.

But I really couldn't do it anymore. I was cracking a little and I could feel it. Every day was drudgery—like reheating leftovers with no joy, just going through the motions. I really needed to make a change. I could feel myself suffocating (I know, dramatic). So I did it, with some understanding that I would continue doing some consulting with my employer (which actually never came to be).

I thought, I'm going to go full into being a consultant. And then that would give me time to do the other things I was passionate about. But as it turns out, getting consulting jobs has proved very challenging. It makes a lot of sense though, especially in today's economy and in an industry that continues to shrink.

But that hasn't stopped me. In fact, if anything, I've gone full bore into my other endeavors—my blog, recipe writing, cookbook creation, building out an online store, and the thing I've put my heart and soul into: Flour & Wisdom, my handmade craft, hand-poured candle, and fresh baked goods business. I started with some farmer's markets this summer and have now moved into craft shows.

While this type of work is physically more challenging than my old office work, it is so much more fulfilling. I'm figuring out what works and what doesn't, but with every smile or compliment for my baking, I'm growing more confident and driven to succeed.

I want to continue to build this out—see where it goes! I am truly loving what I'm doing now. Will I go back to some type of "office job?" Maybe, but for now I'm creating the path that I want to follow into retirement. It gives me such joy that I didn't even know you could feel "working."

If you're asking yourself these types of questions like I did, I encourage you to really think about it and be honest with yourself. Life is short. Do something you love!