Facebook just informed me this was my Most Liked Photo of 2013. This was my first live television appearance on a Milwaukee morning show…and I totally bombed. This is back when I was a full-time blogger, and I had the honor of representing some pretty awesome national brands, like Lowe’s Home Improvement, HGTV, Delta Faucets, Rustoleum, GMC, and Mike’s Hard Lemonade, to name drop a few. For this company, they wanted me to do television appearances all throughout the Midwest, showcasing my DIY projects live on air. Even though I was terrified (and had zero experience) I said, “Sure, I’ll do that.”
This first appearance was so bad, I literally remember the anchorwoman looking at me with her eyes bugging out of her head and a silent plea for it to all be over soon. I was shaking so badly, I didn’t know what to say, I had no concept of segment timing…it was really, REALLY bad, you guys!
But I didn’t quit.
I kept showing up, and doing it, and giving myself permission to suck, as long as I kept trying to get better. No matter how scared I was, I just kept thinking to myself, “Nobody ever got anywhere worth going by staying in their comfort zone.”
Nobody ever got anywhere worth going by staying in their comfort zone.”
I kept at it, improved, and ended up having this really incredible experience in my 30s where I got to appear live on morning shows throughout the Midwest, talking about home decor and DIY projects. (For reference – my college education and pre-blogging career were focused on children’s mental health and social work, so this was quite the 180!)
I look back at this photo – remembering how scared I was; that poor woman’s terrified eyes – and now I can’t help but smile.
I stepped out of this path (being a professional blogger) because it wasn’t the direction I wanted for my life, but boy do I appreciate that little detour, and all that I learned.
I’m proud of this younger me who said yes to things even when they scared her. I’m proud of this younger me who said, “I’ll figure this out.” And then did.
That was seven year ago, and I’m still saying yes to things that excite me (even if they scare me). When you do the hard things, this magical thing happens where you start to realize…you can do hard things. I literally started Details Boutique two years ago by Googling “how to start a boutique…” and these past two years have the been the happiest of my life. I have a fabulous little boutique that brings me joy every time I step into it. I get to serve some amazing people in my amazing little town (and beyond, now that I’ve built an online store). I have an incredible support network of other small business owners. And I have flexibility that fits just right for my family, so we can play hard in between working hard, and be together for the quiet times when we need rest.
If 2020 has taught me anything it’s that life is too short. Don’t wait for that 20/20 hindsight to look back and say, “I wish I’d done that.” Say yes to the things that excite you. Even if people look at you with their eyes bugging out of their head. Even if you’re scared.
Especially then.
You never know where it all might take you, and there’s a whole lot of fun, living, and learning to be had along the way.
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