Life in interesting. I noticed that the first year I worked for myself - really worked outside of corporate walls - my "true" personality fully emerged. All those years playing nice-nice and deftly working office politics resulted in a more muted version of me. Dress codes, corporate policies, internet usage protocols, meetings, break room etiquette, schedules... all part of the "work as a team" package. Imagine not having to abide by anyone else's rules or standards. That's freedom.
A few months into my journey I was shockingly aware that the fullness and realness of me had arrived. I laughed more, played more, worked more, delivered more and certainly learned more than ever before. The "real me" as Carrie Bradshaw would say had so fully come about that I could (and would) never again hide my shine from the world. Five years later and it's clear to me that the changes are irreversible. Never again will it be possible to work in the confines of a personality stifling office.
Surely this isn't the case for everyone, but for me - a very creative individual who might just be a wee bit too full of energy and a zeal for life - office living doesn't work. For me to fully embrace my creativity, my passion for fashion, my love of design and my desire to express myself fully it took building my own business. Maybe the changes simply coincided with personal growth that would have occurred anyway. Maybe building a personal brand changed me. Maybe the changes were inevitable. It doesn't matter. What does matter is that I'm free, I'm fabulously happy and it's empowering to create your own future.
Is it easy? No. Nothing worthwhile ever is easy. And I wouldn't want it to be without challenges. I savor the difficult projects and the occasional frequent long hours because it gives me great satisfaction to invest so fully in myself and in my future. If you give of yourself completely and bring passion and purpose to every engagement, success won't hide from you for long. Is it an awe inspiring responsibility? Holding your own future in your hands? Yes. But I wouldn't trade it for
all the Herman Miller chairs and break room Starbucks coffee in the world.
On this long holiday weekend I find myself taking a step back to marvel at the journey of my life and appreciating my own personal braveness. Life is fun if you seize it. A good life - a full, exciting life - involves risk, periods of uncertainty and a complete trust in your instincts.
Do you want to know what defines true success? Being the best that you yourself can be. It's not about living to meet anyone else's standards. It's not about making 10% more than your neighbors. It's not about having what someone else has or wanting what someone else covets. It's about achieving all that you yourself can achieve. Being your own personal best. Nothing else will deliver such satisfaction.
Happy independence day everyone. I hope you create a terrific weekend for yourself. Relish and delight in your personal freedom. You deserve it.
{the above to-die-for shoes are none other than the delicious Yves Saint Laurent Tribute Sandals in Metallic Gold.}
