This is a very personal post, and I hope it resonates with my readers. I hope it encourages you to keep on keeping on, despite any setbacks or failures.
The past 10 months, to put it lightly, have been insane. Let’s recap:
April 2012: Left my job as an administrative coordinator at the University of South Carolina.
May: Moved to Birmingham, AL to be closer to my boyfriend and work as an administrative assistant for a large publishing firm. It was my first time living away from S.C. for longer than a couple of months.
Yes, the dominoes and polka dots were a play on the black/white thing. 
June: Got engaged!
August: Quit my job after being reprimanded for not doing a great job, even though I knew I was doing my best. I was extremely saddened and disappointed and felt like a colossal failure. This was not the first time I had been reprimanded in a job.
September: Started a new job as a receptionist at a smaller firm, and started this blog.
October: One week before my wedding day, I was fired for too many absences. Those absences? Sick days and doctor’s appointments except for one. One day I had a wedding fitting. I’m still convinced I was fired because I was about to get married and take off for my honeymoon.
Despite this, I got married back in S.C. and had a wonderful time. My family and friends helped me pull it off very successfully.
Yep, I was that happy and I had just gotten fired.
November: After unsuccessful job searches, I began networking full-force for my administrative consultant and writing business. I decided my past failures were simply a sign I needed to venture out on my own.
I managed to land my first major magazine freelance writing assignment, which will be published in a couple of days.
January 2013: Thanks to a wonderful group of women in Erika Lyremark’s Daily Whip, I have acquired my first two clients and a third prospect.
I’ve done all this while struggling with anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression, conditions I have had for many years but was exacerbated by all of these monumental changes. For a few months during this time, I had to go without medication until I was able to get medical insurance.
I’ve also had an old co-worker and friend pass away and a former business owner I really liked working with pass away very unexpectedly during this time. Both of these occurred in SC, unfortunately so I can’t attend yet another funeral.
And, yes, despite this – I have been able to persevere and move on and live my every day life. I have good days and bad days. Today is a bad day, but there is always hope for another great day tomorrow.
How in the world did I manage to do all of this? Honestly, I can only say it was the sheer grace of God and the wonderful help of extremely dedicated family and friends.
I’m currently writing an e-book about how to live your best life using writing.
I wrote the first draft in a couple of hours! I was so excited and I hope to launch it the same time as my new website.
You can subscribe to my blog to get updates on the site and the book.
Thanks for reading and God bless.
Bravo for keeping a stiff upper lip and charging through!
Thanks Mindy! It is soooo hard right now, but you have to live your life!
I know… But we will look back on these days and will be grateful for all the lessons we have learned.
God will never give you that which you cannot handle. Having similar depressive conditions you described I’ve gone through a few times where life fell apart and didn’t stop. Things got to be sink or swim, and with His help and that of family and friends, I was able to swim. Escaping back to Columbia on occasion with friends who knew nothing about these struggles was always a great respite, but in the end, resilience is a quality He gave us all, and for His reasons.
He seems to do that every once in a while, usually when we need it the most but don’t realize it. As things get worse and worse, we feel weaker and weaker until all seems lost and then we realize how strong we really are. Looking back on those days, I can’t imagine not having gone through them; I’d be even more shallow…
I’m happy to know all is well; best of luck in your new business. Small biz is exciting and challenging; I’m sure you’ll do just fine.
Thanks Regan! It’s really great to know I have friends who have experienced similar issues.
Writing is a great outlet for when you’re down. Even if no one reads it, it’s still a weight off your chest =)
Thanks Joanna! It did feel better. But I appreciate *you* reading!
You are going to not even believe you wrote this in a year. Fortune favors the brave.
And you’re going to move mountains, because you have LOVE in your heart.
Xo
It’s crazy to read even now haha but I am hitting the one year mark on quitting my job soon. You’re the best! Thanks for commenting.