No one said it would be all plain sailing!

No that's right, no one ever did say that. But perhaps that's part of the problem? 

Perhaps that's what put you off in the first place? Maybe what you need is a bit of support? Maybe hearing that it will be difficult, that you will work harder than ever, that money will not flow easily into your bank account each month like a regular salary does, is not helpful?

I'm not saying all of that stuff is not true but every journey is different and you need to find your own truth instead of filling your head with negativity and bad expectations before you even start. You're a sensible person, you've considered all of the things that might happen already, it doesn't take a genius to work out that things might get tricky and that quitting the 9 to 5 might not be a bed of roses all the time. So instead of listening to more of the same scary thoughts try to replace them with positive ones and remember why you are doing this.

Before you start on your journey, or even right now wherever you are on your journey, remind yourself why you are doing this. Write it down. Get a piece of paper and write a letter to yourself outlining all the reasons why you have made this decision.

Maybe you are thinking, 'but I didn't make this decision, I have to do this because I was made redundant or because I am unemployed', that's ok, this applies to you too. Whether it seems that way or not you have got choices, you have the choice to stay where you are or to move forward, everyone has that choice and everyone has to make it.

So write the letter and tell yourself that you are doing this, you are embarking on this new choice for certain reasons and then write all of those reasons down like a list (or however you like). Make it a letter than inspires you later on when you need to remember what led you here, talk kindly to yourself.

Remember that the decisions you make now should say something about who you are, about what you believe in, about what you think is right. Understand what your values are and live by them and you won't go far wrong.

So if you believe that beautiful things make people feel better about themselves, then feel good about the fact that you want to become a fashion designer or a jewelry maker - you are living by your values.

The only reason that anyone consciously makes changes in their lives (and sometimes unconsciously - think about the job you hated and therefore didn't do well and consequently didn't progress in or eventually left - even though you needed the money), is because they are not currently happy where they are. Use this to your advantage...you, on some level, can be very happy that this is where you are because now you have a blank sheet, a new page and you can write on it something different to what went before.

What do you want your life and your work to say about you? What will your decisions say about you? Will you decide that this is a good thing or a bad thing?

So no, no one said it would be plain sailing but you have your reasons, you have your values, you have your own decisions to make and you can still sail, whatever the weather. 

What would you write to yourself about why you are doing this? Share your reasons and inspire others!

Love Nova xxx