Since quitting my day job on July 1st, I've received a lot of questions about how it feels, what it's like.
Most of the questions relate to the quitting and the dayjob: What's it like to not go to work? Is it hard to stay motivated without a boss? Do you miss having coworkers?
But these questions are hard to answer. My life is so different now, I find it impossible to compare dayjob to yarn-job.
This whole big scary experiment doesn't feel like a quitting as much as a launching.
A launching into a new way of thinking about work.
A launching into a new way of connecting, of being a part of my community.
A launching into more responsibility, more discipline than ever.
A launching into a very unknown future.
A launching into doing what I love, without excuses, without somedays, without anything (but myself) to stop me.
Like a big space rocket launch, it's exhilarating and terrifying and filled a thousand movable parts that look like they might fall apart at any time.
I realized this week that although I told everyone I quit my dayjob and I immediately devoted myself full-time to Blonde Chicken Boutique, I didn't take the to celebrate. Or to ask you to celebrate with me.
This is a big momentous thing that needs proper yarny revelry. I've pondered the best way to make it a real celebration and I've come up with a Grand Launching Week-long Extravaganza!
Launching Party Fun-ness
Everyday next week, I'll share my story, from French Major to Yarn Wrangler, here on the blog. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any of it.
I'll also be answering your questions, everyday at 3 pm on Twitter (starting today!). We can talk about any little thing (quitting the job, wrangling yarn, studying French Lit, ANYthing!). Just put #askthechicken in your tweet to ask me.
Launch Party Yarny Discounts
For the next week, any NEW customer of the Boutique will get $10 off orders of $30 or more and returning customers will be get $5 off orders of $25 or more.
Really want to party? Buy more than $100 worth of yarn or fiber and I'll send you a skein of yarn (or bump of fiber – your choice!) and a pattern for FREE in August. Think of it as investing in your future!
Not a yarn-y person? This sale ALSO extends to the Gift Certificates!
Thanks for celebrating with me.
I wouldn't be launching into this new life if weren't for you. Whether you buy yarn or not, whether you comment or not, whether we've met or not, everyone who shows up here has helped bring me closer to this goal, has helped encourage me and teach me and inspire me.
Thanks!
(PS. Special sparkly rainbow of thanks to Leonie for the gorgeous graphic!)
maya | springtree road
July 17, 2009 at 11:44 am (15 years ago)brilliant. you're brilliant! 🙂 best of luck to you, tara.
Pace
July 17, 2009 at 12:25 pm (15 years ago)Yay!!!!!!!!!! I'm super excited for you!
Sonia Simone
July 17, 2009 at 1:56 pm (15 years ago)It's so exciting, and I'm so glad you just kept at it and made it happen. So many people talk and talk about doing it, but you did it. I suspect you're going to absolutely love it.
tattyfraney
July 17, 2009 at 2:06 pm (15 years ago)how exciting!!!!! can't wait to party with you!
Barbara Martin
July 17, 2009 at 2:50 pm (15 years ago)Wow Tara. When you say Celebrate, you C E L E B R A T E!!!!
knitgrrl
July 17, 2009 at 3:46 pm (15 years ago)Congratulations again, this is going to be great!
alpacafarmgirl
July 17, 2009 at 3:58 pm (15 years ago)This is so exciting! Working for yourself is hard. But you get to pick which 80 hours you work. Lol! Hope you enjoy it, and wishing you great success. You're so talented and generous with your gifts – you're sure to do great.
Meredith
July 17, 2009 at 4:07 pm (15 years ago)Wow. It's all here. The party. The “hi – I'm over here now”. The “you folks are great, and I want to thank you”. The plan.
Happy day. Happy day.
Congrats and confetti — and cake, of course.
Meredith
Nathalie Lussier
July 17, 2009 at 5:45 pm (15 years ago)Congratulations. Thanks for bringing us along for the fun too! 😀
kyeli
July 17, 2009 at 5:49 pm (15 years ago)I am profoundly happy for you, Tara! *dance and squee* Yayayayayayay!
Sandra
July 18, 2009 at 8:27 am (15 years ago)Good for you; once you get off the boat, it's difficult to return. I've been out of a corporate job for more than twenty years and LOVE my life!
leannich
July 18, 2009 at 5:28 pm (15 years ago)I'm so pleased to have found your blog – your new yarny life-launch is so exciting, and such an inspiration! I look forward to reading the backstory in the coming week 🙂
Havi Brooks (and duck)
July 19, 2009 at 11:46 am (15 years ago)Whooooooooooooooooooo!
That is all.
tricia mckellar
July 19, 2009 at 11:58 am (15 years ago)Blonde chicken, you are my hero! I have really been enjoying reading about this change in your life. Wishing you huge success! 🙂
Eileen
July 19, 2009 at 4:47 pm (15 years ago)Wooo hooo!!! So much to celebrate. Go Tara! 🙂
Woolyhands
July 20, 2009 at 10:26 am (15 years ago)Tara – I am so excited for you. I've said that about 100 times on Twitter, but I mean it. This past weekend, I spent a lot of time with my wool. I made batts, photographed them, set the twist on new year, photographed those. And you know, for the first time, I made enough money over the weekend that if I could do that full time, every couple of days, I could see myself doing this as my job instead of my current job. I'm no where near it, but it was exciting, fun, reassuring! I know you're going to be FAB as a a full time yarn wrangler and I can't wait to hear your story… starting with French Major 🙂
blondechicken
July 20, 2009 at 11:58 am (15 years ago)Thank you so much Erin! I completely believe you could do it, if it's what you wanted (your day job sounds pretty cool to me!)
Thanks for always encouraging me and being there through it all!
Tara
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Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome
July 21, 2009 at 2:38 am (15 years ago)I love that you see this as a whole new beginning and that negative ideas such as “quitting” don't even appear in your vocabulary set! Woo hoo!!!
Tricia/LazyT
July 21, 2009 at 7:12 am (15 years ago)Congrats and good luck!
Tricia/LazyT
July 21, 2009 at 11:12 am (15 years ago)Congrats and good luck!