A few years ago, I had a moment about two days into my new job. I had just started my third year of university, and had taken on a contract at the newspaper for a couple of months, working full time as a news journalist. I was writing a not particularly interesting story, when I stopped what I was doing and realised: I am playing with words and people are paying me.
I sent a text to my tutor and mentor: “I’ve just had a “moment” in the newsroom – I am putting words in order for a living”.
I was a writer.
I can’t say that I always wanted to “be a writer”. I just always knew it would feature in my life somehow. It’s like I can’t say “I always wanted to be a breather”. It just is. I just am.
But that day when I finally saw it all come together, I had a moment. I didn’t know how I was supposed to get there, but I knew that I would.
I feel a bit the same way about blogging. I am away at the moment on our annual meetup with The Remarkables Group. Each year we gather all the bloggers from across the country that make up our ragtag team, and hang out. We learn from inspirational experts, we get a feel for where everybody’s at, and we possibly drink a little too much wine.
I was filling out a form for a spa treatment at the Sheraton in Noosa, after a magical breakfast on magical Noosa beach. It required us to state our occupation, and I wrote “blogger”. Because after all these years of writing, being on social media, learning, networking, making friends, making mistakes, and a hell of a lot of “well let’s just see where this goes, huh?”, I am a full-time blogger. It feels weird and crazy and fun but at the same time, totally normal.
I am truly grateful. I know plenty of people out there who aim for this. And there are plenty of you out there who have supported me in it. I feel as though I deserve it, but also that I’m exceedingly fortunate. I feel as though I want to buy you all a drink and get a bit emotional in the loos later.
Ugh I’m getting soft in my old age. Don’t tell anyone.
Isn’t it wonderful to be able to follow your dreams and live your passion!
It is scary and good!
I know what you mean; I have two years writing for the college newspaper and it was never something that I really thought about. Reading and writing are things that I just love to do!
vegcourtesy.blogspot.com
It just happens automatically!
I so needed to read this today – you have great timing! I am a freelance writer and have been having a bit of a boo-hoo day because sometimes being a freelance writer can be a bit hard. But reading this has reminded me that I have had some pretty crapulous jobs in my time (hello dunking machine girl!) and actually this gig is pretty sweet, not to mention what I have wanted my entire life. So thanks for the perspective. And hopefully I will be joining you in Noosa some day. 😉 Thanks Stacey – and go you good blogger! xx
I want to hear more about the dunking girl job!
Buy me a drink next time we see each other, and I’ll share all. 🙂
hah what do you mean sometimes? It can be hard lots of times (I wrote about it here: http://theveggiemama.com/2013/03/no/) but I know what you mean. It’s everything we ever wanted, but that doesn’t mean its easy or we’re going to enjoy it 100% of the time. But perspective helps us snap out of being a little blue x
Exactly! Everything worthwhile is hard – otherwise everyone would do it. And it makes the wins so much sweeter. Would love to follow that link and read more of your freelance learnings, Stacey, but it’s coming up with errors??
Hooray for you!
You do totally deserve it!
I hope you enjoyed the hell out of that spa treatment!
Oh I totally did! I need to buy like, a year’s worth of those babies.
I love your pink toes. I’m at a place where I no longer know what I want to be when I grow up. I’ve been all the things already. I feel like I went too hard at the beginning and then realised it was a marathon not a 100 metres.
You give good blog. It’s good that you’re happy giving it.
I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up either!
I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. I think it’s the person who sits in libraries all day reading shit.
Of course you are hon! And an inspiring, lovely one at that x
You are too kind, I swear I’m actually less lovely in real life 😉
Rock it baby!
You know it!
Completely deserved! Enjoy! x
Thank you kindly xx
There’s a saying my husband likes a LOT ‘the harder you work the luckier you get’ you’ve worked really hard and very much deserve the “lucky” parts.
Oh my gosh, that’s so funny. I totally agree – that hard work does make you “lucky!” 😉
You are awesome.
ha takes one to know one!
Living your dream. Good for you 🙂
Thank you my dear x
Aw what a lovely post and a huge well done 🙂 I work in freelance writing and blogging too, and whilst it’s hard to juggle at times with a family I also love it and feel so lucky x
It’s the flexibility that makes it so attractive to me!
Ummm, really interested in the drinks/loos scenario. 😉
PS/ Totally fortunate. Totally deserved. xxx
Hit me up next time we’re in the same place at the same time!
Enjoy all that your hard work has produced gorgeous girl. You inspire others of us who would like to one day be in a similar position. 🙂
You can make it, I know you can x
Indeed you are, a wonderful, generous, totally endearing type of soft though. I vote it stays. Haha. Loved this post Ms. Full-Time Blogger! Livin’ the dream. x
I AM NOT SOFT SHUT UP!
HA. You wish.
So wonderful that you’re living your dream, but also very obvious that you’ve worked mighty hard to get there! Surely that makes it all the sweeter.
Thanks for inspiring along the way, Stacey.
You’re right, it is SO great when hard work pays off. It’s so nice to feel as though there’s room for everyone 🙂
I’m just at the start of my journey (currently creating self hosted site and getting a bit more organised blah blah blah ). I want to be like you when I grow up!! Woo hooo. You should be proud of yourself. Oh, and I’m a G & T girl!! 🙂
hah! *pours gin*
Self-describe–our hardest request in life. You’ve certainly made the grade in the blogging field-you’re a Pro !~! An inspiration to many among whom I count myself.
You’re very kind, thank you!
Have you stopped lecturing etc? You are full time as in full full time? Go you x
Haha yes full time as in full time. This and ProBlogger. I don’t lecture any more since I moved 🙂
You deserve this life! You’re an amazing blogger, I look up to you 🙂
You are lovely to say so. And I haven’t forgotten about the sleep thing!
I love this moment! so happy for you stacey xx
I love all moments that are massage ones!
“get a bit emotional in the loos later” made me chuckle. You should feel super proud, your blog is quite the achievement. I read hundreds of blogs, literally, and yours certainly stands out!
Well now, what a rad thing to say! Thank you! I know what you mean, I read a lot too. And there’s just some that are especially indescribable 🙂
Big fan of the blog and everything that you write – so go you (because I feel there isn’t enough support in general in the female world).
You are very kind, and you are very right x