When I think back on this past year my mind runs through the many challenges and accomplishments I have experienced. This past September marked one year since graduating from University and boy has it been one eventful year.
When I finally walked across the stage - degree in hand - I knew I was in for an abrupt shift as I entered the shiny gates of adulthood. Gone were the lazy mornings getting ready for lecture or the perfectly laid out class syllabus with every project and description glowing before you. I entered the stage of unknown and joined my peers in the search for a job. This stark change in routine lead me into a panicked state, one that engulfs so many postgraduates as they search for their first job.
With every unanswered job application or email of regret sending a sharper stab into my side. It wasn’t until I desperately accepted my first 9-5 offer that I realized the office life just was not for me. From feeling restless at a desk to wanting to quit every day at around 3 pm, I just could not fathom the idea of spending the next 30+ years of my life sitting behind a desk building someone else’s dream. In my spare time, I would spend hours writing to deal with my frustrations. I had always dreamt of becoming a writer creating captivating content for books, websites, and magazines but the idea of actually attaining this dream seemed so far away.
Luckily for me, a close colleague of mine shared the same idea. Prea and her husband were the definitions of side hustler’s. They worked themselves to the bone, building their side business while both maintaining office jobs during the day. Our office jobs soon turned into daily 8-hour support sessions for our side hustles. It was through her support that I was able to take my idea of entrepreneurship and quit my office job running!
Now don’t expect this story to end in multiple clients calling every day with invoices clogging up my inbox. At the beginning , the truth was quite the opposite but it was that stark “what if” that kept me going. The “What if” I succeed? “What if” I grow my business into the national company I've always dreamt it as?
It is this stark image paired with my overarching ambition which keeps me going every day. Sure I’ve had ups and downs as every new business will but it’s the journey which keeps me going. With every mistake and lesson learned I know that this was my mistake and is simply another lesson learned while building my dream. At the end of the day I go to bed feeling accomplished because I am working my butt off to build the life I want and the career I dreamt of and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
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Meghan founded the creative communications company 1840 Creative House that helps businesses tell their story through the use of social media. 1840 Creative House works with companies that range from accounting services to lifestyle brands, connecting businesses to consumers through the love and creativity of words.
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