This $hit is About to Get Real
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I couldn’t help but notice the lone bird apart from all the others on the next light pole. The one mid-flight was just a fortunate happenstance since this photo was shot quickly at a red light on my bike ride to pick up my daughter from daycare while pregnant. Many evenings, as I biked home, I thought about a similar situation to the lone bird…breaking away from a very comfortable 7:30-5 job to put the focus on our young family.
Last week I was a software engineer with a blog called JustNeedsPaint on the side.
This week I’m a full time mom, business owner, and blogger–because that’s what I want to do, not because I have to.
Scared? Excited? Hopeful? Terrified?
That and more.
Who in their right mind leaves a VERY comfortable job to go into the unknown?
Who would look back and regret not trying something completely different?
Me.
As a couple, my husband and I look forward to spending more time with family. We’ll be present to watch our youngest take her first steps. Hear her first words besides her incessant, “Mom!” Teach our oldest to read. Show them both how to tile like Mom.
We are excited about creating a job with like minded clients–focusing on quality and craft over production and rushing to the next job. We obviously have a few trade skills, a few tools, and some writing skills. We also have a willingness to learn and try something new. With this combination the worst case scenario is filling out an application–there is always another job waiting in corporate America for someone willing to work.
So as much as we all love the goodness coming out of JustNeedsPaint, the number of posts is staying at a steady whopping one a week. Various other demands and balancing acts are about to take over. Our family will finally all live under the same roof. Together we will provide even higher quality emergency services and build backs while raising our girls. There will be time for some serious breakfasts (like the one pictured below of the first real day “out”–Monday!), bath time on any given night of the week, and beach bumming.
No one under the age of 40 was served fresh squeezed backyard grown tangerine screwdrivers and Crown Royal maple flavored pancake syrup.
In the meantime, I’d like to share the resignation email I wrote to my past coworkers:
What’s your biggest asset?
Your 401K? Your house? They all add up, but your biggest asset is YOU!
Every day we learn something new, bring our A-game to work (or at least after coffee), and build a great product.
YOU are the reason why <great company> is great. YOU are the reason we are successful as a team.
It’s not just about work though. You and your team is the reason why I’ve enjoyed waking up and coming to work every morning.
You don’t need a lottery ticket. You have a winning lottery ticket at <software company>. I especially feel that way having the opportunities <company> has afforded me, both professionally as an engineer and activities outside of work. This winning ticket has afforded me the chance to attempt an entirely new direction in life.
As I transition from <company> to self-employment April 4, I’ll be diving into more house renovation / construction bordering dangerously close to a real business in Texas. You are welcome to follow this adventure, as the house renovation blog I’ve developed in my off hours will start shifting from past projects from early in my <company> career to current and future projects:
https://www.justneedspaint.com
You are also welcome to follow our family’s adventures on Instagram: justneedspaint & randrpropertyrehab.
I’ll also leave you with this gem of a blog I stumbled upon a few years ago:
https://www.mrmoneymustache.com
I will miss you all. I wish you the best and hope you also make the most out of your time here!
Let’s see what we can build!
Remember that post “Don’t Quit Your Day Job“? Me too. But I just did.
Side note–once you have a date set, you know what is funny? Seeing that exact date in everyday places, like milk jugs at the grocery store. I savored this moment in the dairy aisle…and then very obviously pulled out my phone to capture it.
Second, my brother challenged me to use every last pot, plate and utensil in the house on this momentous occasion. I totally appreciate the sentiment, and I did–as much as I was willing to clean.
We sure enjoyed him and his family’s company during our celebratory meal.
