On Monday, I made a call I'd been longing to make for months. I made a call to notify my employer that I wanted to resign from my full time employment as University Principal Administrator, to become a full time Wedding Blogger.
A full time Wedding Blogger!!!!!!
As far as I know, I'm one of only two full time Wedding Bloggers in the UK. And whilst that's pretty exciting, it's also a little bit scary!
I put the phone down after that call on Monday and just sat there in silence for a little while, as a sense of peace came all over. Peace and comfort. I felt no need to go out and celebrate, It just felt that everything was right and in its place and as it should be. Like everything was finally in it's correct order. In that 10 minute phone call, I had made the scariest, but indeed the very best decision I have ever made in my life.
If he's reading this, I'd like to thank my old boss for being so gracious and supportive and helpful during that phone call, even if he was somewhat taken aback at my news. {by the way, I'm really looking forward to that lunch John :)...}.
It wasn't until two days later, after I'd met with my Accountant that it hit me: I am my own boss. I am now self employed. I have my own business that I love and am immensely proud of. I felt excitement and elation, mixed with sensations of pressure and even a little anxiety that I had turned my back on a well paid, secure job, to enter the wonderful world of wedding blogging. But not for one nano-second did I sense any regret.
The career path trodden by professional UK Wedding Bloggers is a very, very new one, and I'm proud to be joining colleagues like my friend Kat in leading the way in championing the role, defining the career path, and showing the UK wedding industry that we can add huge value and make a big difference.
Yesterday afternoon, I spoke about the influence of wedding bloggers to members of the UK Alliance of Wedding Planners in London, who invited me to give a presentation on the role of wedding blogs. I have already received a number of emails thanking me for my inspirational presentation which I look forward to sharing with you over the next couple of weeks. I have published just a few screenshots from my presentation below, including my new status update on my Facebook profile, as 'Self Employed' {hehe!}....
Love My Dress Wedding Blog, Copyright (c) 2011, Annabel Beeforth, Love My Dress
I talked about how I perceive the role of Wedding Blogger developing over the next year and spoke about how I see bloggers getting more involved with professional industry events - the photographs below are from the Designer Vintage Bridal show, where I was invited to exhibit at in my own right as Wedding Blogger last month....
As part of my presentation, I also considered what was next for UK Wedding Bloggers, which included the suggestion of a professional association. I referred to the fabulous American Association for Wedding Blggers,'The B-List'...
So, my thoughts this Sunday are on my roller-coaster of a week, my future as a Professional Wedding Blogger and on the many, incredible people that have helped make my dream of becoming self employed, true. There are so many positive forces around me at the moment, so many brilliant, kind supportive, wonderful, creative people that I have met through my adventures in blog land. You know who you are, and without you, I would not be here. That is fact.
This weekend has been quieter on the blog than usual, as I spend precious time with my family. My amazing Husband {who I love beyond words} and Children have allowed me all the time I've needed over the past few months, as I've poured all my energies into developing Love My Dress. Today, I owe them, and I'd like to close my laptop lid for a few hours and spend time with those who mean everything to me.
Sometimes in life, no matter how scary the prospect, you just HAVE to take that leap of faith. The landing is softer than you might think, and the view ahead from the otherside, is a bright one :)
Have a super lovely Sunday everyone.
Much love,
Annabel xXx
♥
More Thoughts for a Sunday here...
'Meet the Blogger' (that's me!) here...
