The Leap
Friday was one of the scariest, most
exciting days of my life. Friday was the
day I'd been working towards for quite
some time. Friday was the day that I
quit my day job.
I walked into work in the morning with
a new perspective. I knew I wasn't
permanent anymore and it made me
take notice more than I usually did.
The stairs seemed longer. The walls
seemed more vibrant. My desk seemed
really clear. I also noticed that my heart
was beating like a stampede. I was
nervous.
I am usually the first one at work, so
I get to see everyone file in and take
their seats to start their morning rituals.
Friday I said hello to everyone as usual
and waited for my boss to come in. She
finally did. I had made up my mind that
I wasn't going to prolong it. I was just
going to get it over with. Like ripping
off a bandaid...just do it quick.
So, I went over and asked if I could
buy her a cup of coffee across the street.
She said sure, and we began the long
trek over there. She made some small
talk on the way and I could barely hear
her because my heart was in my ears.
I'm sure I stuttered and babbled something
dumb. After we got our coffees we went
outside to sit down because inside the
air conditioner was on so high and I was
already shaking.
I handed her this card I created that read
"A ship in a harbor is safe, but that's not
what ships are built for.":
I paused to let her read it. Then I found
myself saying that this was my two weeks
notice. That I was going to do illustration
full time on my own. That it was something
I need to do at this point in my life,
and it was now or never. That I needed to
be brave and take this leap.
And to my surprise, she smiled at me. She
said good luck. She said she knew I was
doing the right thing and that she was
sad because she'd miss me. She even
gave me suggestions for a few contacts.
I was not expecting that. I was hoping for
that, but not expecting that. I was floored.
I went through the rest of the day barely
able to concentrate. I had so much going
on inside me. I felt free and liberated!
For those who don't know, for the past 5 years
I've worked as an Art Director for an advertising
agency. A very creative agency. An agency
filled with wonderful, talented people. I worked
on their biggest account, along with some of
the other ones. And I enjoyed it, for the most
part. I felt like I was always pushing the work
to be less structured and more organic...to
be more artistic, and it was frustrating for me.
It seemed like I never got the opportunity to
open my wings and go.
I'd always been interested in illustration.
I watched illustration move through the
ad world, observing what was popular,
who was who, and wanting to learn more.
And it seemed like one day I woke up and
slapped myself in the forehead with the
idea that "Hey, I don't have to just watch
illustration. I can do illustration...why
don't I?"
And it all started happening from there.
I made this website. I contacted my heroes.
I read everything I could in order to learn.
I started getting my own clients and lots of
work. I did it all at night and on the weekends
(which made for a very over-worked,
tired-lope.) And it all came together and lead
me to the decision to leave my job. So, you
see why Friday was such a big day for me.
Now I sit here and I'm really hopeful. And
I'm really scared. I wonder what the future
holds. What I'll do...What I'll begin...Where
this will lead me. I'm taking a huge leap of
faith. What's the quote? "Leap and the safety
net will appear." Yeah, I'm doing that. Except
I don't want to fall into a net. I want to
sprout wings and take off.
I'm scared but I'm willing to work through
that. I am going to do what it takes. (I'm
figuring on a lot of Ramen and pbj's.)
So, if anyone you know of needs an illustrator
or some work done, please send them my
way. I'm officially putting out the word.
I need work!
I wanted to end by saying thank you to
everyone who's been so so wonderful and
supportive of me thus far. Katrina, Kate,
Christine, Alex, Keri, Lori, Claire. You have
all been bright, shiny lights for me. Also my
mom, my brother, my mother-in-law. I thank
you so much.
And finally. My husband. I could not do
this without you. Thank you.
Here we go!...