Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.- Albert Einstein
I couldn’t agree with this more. I have always been a creative person- loving all forms of art ever since I can remember. As a child, I would “borrow” my mom’s Polaroid and waste all the film taking pictures of anything and everything until I received my first camera of my own for my 10th birthday- a purple Vivitar 110 with teal accents. I have kept diaries for as long as I can remember, and I’ve always loved drawing and painting; I have tons of old sketchbooks filled with my artwork tucked away in the storage containers around my house. And, of course, I also love to sing (as anyone who knew me in school surely remembers).
Lately I’ve been spending a lot of time creating- whether through photography, writing, or making videos for TikTok or YouTube. I recently made the risky decision to leave a job at a company I no longer felt valued at, and am currently seeking new career opportunities. It has been an emotional roller coaster, but I have learned a lot about myself in the process. I have spent a lot of time reflecting, sitting outside in nature to connect with God and do a lot of deep thinking about my life’s path and purpose. Some might call it a “midlife crisis” but the marketing professional in me likes to think of it as a “personal rebrand”. 😉
I’ve reawakened parts of myself I thought were long gone, which has been both eye-opening and refreshing. I’ve also done a lot of thinking about what makes me truly happy, and what brings me the most peace in my life. I am 43 years old, and I’ve been through more than my fair share of struggles in my lifetime. For almost the entire last decade of my life, I have worked multiple jobs to try to create a wonderful life for myself and my children, and I’m exhausted- I physically, mentally, and emotionally can’t do it anymore. I had lost my spark, and the things that used to light my soul on fire didn’t anymore. I knew something had to change.
At this age, I just want to live a peaceful, comfortable life with my family, filled with joy and fun memories with the people I love most in the world. I have decided that working from home (at least most of the time, anyway) is the best option for me and my children, and I am looking into a few different ways I can continue doing that while also doing the things I love to do.
In the meantime, I recognize that it was not a great decision to leave a job without something else already lined up, but you know that quote about getting up the moment respect is no longer being served at the table? My self-worth is no longer something I will allow anyone to take from me, and no one else should either. Leaving my job was not an easy decision, but the weight that lifted off my shoulders the moment I did it is worth everything to me; I know in my heart that I made the right decision for me. And you know what? I feel happier than I have in years. That’s pretty important to me.
So as I continue searching for the right opportunity, which I have faith God will present to me when the time is right, I will continue to do what makes me happy. I will continue to explore my creativity, and allow myself to be at peace with my decision and the new path this will take me down. I will allow myself to feel joy at the fact that I get to spend more time with my children and still do the things I love to do, like sunbathing on my back deck or taking pictures of the wildlife that live around my house. Life is too short to be miserable, y’all.
If you are reading this and you were previously my friend on social media and aren’t now, you can follow me here through my website (subscribe via email using the form on the home page) or on my public Facebook page. ☮️
Discover more from Brittany Dawson
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.