Own Your "Ish"

Last night I officially published my first website, quartercenturechronicles.com! I am very excited about this project, and have been working hard over the past 2 days to get it done…Yes, I finished the entire thing within a few hours (not obsessed over it or anything). As I hit the "publish" button, a little box popped up asking me to share it on Facebook--my heart jumped. Did I want all my "friends" to read everything I had written? Will life-long fiends get upset I mentioned moving to AZ without telling them prior? Should I send a quick group text? Holy Crap…What am I doing? Within those 10 seconds of me just staring at that little box, I clicked "share to Facebook". This is what I wanted to do, and I was going to do it. My entire life I have worried what other people thought of my decisions, no matter if they were in my favor or not. As long as my friends and family are happy, I am happy.

Publishing this website was a huge step for me to take. I am not just posting random facts and information, I am posting personal and emotional thoughts--all of which leave me feeling vulnerable. When I first started typing, each story seemed to flow onto the computer with ease. Telling my stories, triumphs, and failures has given me a sense of empowerment I didn't know was possible. I know I am not even close to the only person going through the life situations I have already encountered or currently find myself in. So many people have inspired me;  most of which I do not even know---Thank you Pinterest---but if I am able to relate to even one person, I am happy.

Lesson I have learned: Own your "ish." Make decisions and don't second guess yourself. You will never be happy unless you allow yourself to actually do what excites you, whether that be at work, with friends, or even deciding between pizza or chinese for dinner---yes, that is a very serious dilemma!

Worried your peers won't agree with your decision? Honestly, who cares! They are not the one living you life---you are! Okay, you might be thinking, "but wait, I really value the opinions of my loved ones!" Don't get me wrong, I do too, and most times more than I need to. However, this is ultimately your life, live it the way you desire!

XXOO
Shannon

Life After Shanny the Nanny

Okay, so this currently takes the cake as my biggest dilemma. I have been living in downtown Chicago for the past two years, and was convinced I was going to be a lifer. However,  with a recent trip to Scottsdale, AZ mixed with quite possibly the most miserable winter known to mankind, my boyfriend and I have decided we are moving to Scottsdale. He has lived there in the past teaching flight lessons, and I have family close by in Cave Creek, so this is not a completely random decision. With that being said, my location is not my issue; my dilemma is what I want to do as a career once I get there.

I have my BBA with a Marketing emphasis, but have been a nanny for the past two years for a family in the city. At first, I thought it was going to be a transition job for a year allowing me to find my ideal position in the marketing world, but after falling in love with with kids and the family, one year quickly turned into two.

As many of my friends are excelling in their careers, I decided it was time to move on with mine. Then the question of a lifetime-what am I going to do? Will employers disqualify my as an applicant because I have been a nanny for so long?

I spoke with Jon, my closest friends, and my parents, and decided to just go for it. Sure I applied for multiple jobs that I wasn't exactly qualified for - but hey, might as well try, right? After the realization that no one was really taking the bait, I started applying for entry level marketing and sales positions. This was a definite struggle for me, especially since I have been out of college for three years now, but I was quickly reminded that I only have about 1.5 years experience in the business world---major buzz kill!

Did I make a mistake becoming a nanny in the first place? After being able to not even finish that statement, my mind automatically told me, "absolutely not!" The impact I have been able to have on those three kids, not to mention the impact they have had on me, is something I could have never experienced in an office setting. Not to mention the lessons and skills I have learned with this family can also be connected to a marketing and sales role! SCORE! Time to bump up the resume!


Biggest lesson I have learned with this experience? Everything happens for a reason. Take every opportunity handed to you and make the most of it. Not a single thing in your life is a waste of time; embrace life's journeys, and allow them to take you wherever they may lead.

XXOO
Shannon