I’m not going to lie, when I first got my job I thought about not telling anyone except my close family and friends. Why? Because honestly, a part of me was embarrassed. After proudly boasting about quitting my previous job to pursue freelance writing and working on my book I felt like I was giving up by going back to work a regular job. After a friend joked in the past about me being a slave to the clock and working for the man, I really, really didn’t want to tell anyone. So let’s play catch up shall we? Unfortunately my plan didn’t pan out exactly how I wanted. I wasn’t getting many stories I was pitching placed and I didn’t have much work coming in. Despite my efforts I simply wasn’t able to live comfortably and pay my bills without getting a job. I knew that I absolutely could not work another telemarketing job and cringed at the thought of customer service.

So I searched for something I could do, writing. I applied for quite a few social media jobs and writing gigs along with going on auditions and continuing to pitch writing jobs. Randomly I received a call from a staffing agency letting me know that I was a great candidate for a job I applied for. I sent over a few writing samples and within a few days I was hired to be a writer/blogger and social media coordinator working in house for a makeup brand/skincare brand. Being a licensed esthetician and an avid lover of all things beauty, that is right up my alley. So though now I will be juggling a bit more with actually having to go to an office to work full-time as well as freelancing and working on my book, I’m grateful. I’m grateful that God provided a way for me to provide for myself as well as be able to utilize two things I love while working. I’m grateful that for the first time in my life I’m working in an office not doing sales or customer service. I’m grateful that no matter what twists, turns and set backs I take on this journey that I have so many people rooting for me and cheering me on. I’m thankful that I have friends and family who support me and I’m thankful that God has gifted me with something that no person could ever take from me.

I thought it was important to share this because so often we only see a person make it from point A to point B without knowing the in betweens. It’s not always easy. There are always going to be set backs but when you are motivated, passionate, living within your passion and following the path God has set for you, eventually you will come out on top. I’m happy to share my journey no matter what set backs or comebacks, i’ll continue to share.

 

As always, thanks for reading!

 

Ashley Renee is a soul food enthusiast, sometimes vegetarian, spoken word poet, who doesn’t trust boxed macaroni or cats. keep up with her @ashleyreneepoet on twitter & instagram also check out her website.