This weeks blog is more personal than the others. It's a celebration of sorts because a year ago to the day, I quit my 9-5 banking job and took a leap of faith and started my Interior Decorating business! *** The crowd cheers ***
These are the top 10 lessons I've learned over the past 12 months of my Freedom Journey.
1. YOUR HOME CAN EITHER BRING YOU DOWN OR HELP YOU FLOURISH.
When you run a Home Based Business, you have to make sure that your home supports both your family and your business. I've written about it before in previous blogs but I can't stress it enough. Distractions will derail you on the daily so decluttering and getting some of the smaller projects of your To Do List will really free up your bandwidth so you can focus on work.
When you intentionally decorate your space, it can help you flourish. It can be your sanctuary, your muse and your utopia. By intentionally decorating your home workspace, you are making a declaration to the Universe that you are open for business!
2. YOUR CLOTHES ARE A POWERFUL TOOL TO CREATE A NEW YOU.
The first thing I did when I quit my 9-5 was donate all of my corporate banking clothes. I know it sounds drastic but I had no intention of ever needing them again so they had to go. I had to slowly acquire a new wardrobe and create a new me. It doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg either. Most of the items that I have acquired came from the same charity shop that I donated my own clothes to. No excuses.
3. YOU HAVE STAND NEXT TO OR IN FRONT OF YOUR WORK.
A lot of us creatives hide behind our laptops and our designs. I had to learn to be the "face" of Rachel Moriarty Interiors. This was something I needed help with...big time. I found a coach that worked with me to bring some play back into my business in order to get me comfortable with my new role. I had to take hundreds (if not thousands) of self portraits to get comfortable but I finally got there.
4. MOST OF THE TIME IT'S SCARY BUT YOU GET USED TO IT.
Putting yourself and your work out there can feel scary. You will face rejection. The good news is it's never as bad as you imagine it will be. It passes. In fact, that scary feeling that used to paralyze me from taking action has become an ally. It's really just nervous energy rather than fear but I wouldn't have figured that out if I had stayed out of the ring.
5. THE PROJECTS WILL COME BUT YOU HAVE TO GET INTO ACTION.
What I mean by that is that I don't just sit in front of my laptop refreshing my inbox. I haven't advertised once this year and have completed about 50 room projects. I learned to fit in rest periods after the completion of a project but I also learned that in order for the next project to appear, I have to get into action. That could mean mentoring a new designer, giving advice in design forums, giving workshops or using my talents by taking on a service project.
6. IF YOU'RE HAVING AN OFF DAY, PUT ON RED LIPSTICK AND GET OUT OF THE HOUSE.
Every time I have had an off day, I have gotten myself showered, dressed, put on my signature red lipstick and got out of the house. I have had the most incredible chance meetings and opportunities happen on these days!
7. "SACRED STRUTS" - THEY'RE A THING.
A walk around the neighborhood is a game changer. Sunshine, fresh air and body movement can be like a prayer or meditation.
8. THE SOLUTIONS DON'T COME SITTING AND STARING AT MY LAPTOP.
I have found that my best ideas come when I'm driving, in the shower or washing dishes. It's odd but I've come to accept it.
9. DECORATING IS NOT FUN - MYTH BUSTED.
Sorry HGTV. When I tell most people that I'm an Interior Decorator, they say, "how fun!". Spoiler alert....not always. Like anything else, it's work. It's a process. A well decorated room doesn't come together by accident. It's a balancing act and often when one thing changes in a space you have to reshuffle the deck and change everything. I most certainly wouldn't want to do anything else but just for the record, it's not always fun.
10. SOME DAYS I'D RATHER BE "INSTAGRAM RACH".
Sometimes when I'm home and there are dirty dishes in the sink, and I haven't showered yet and the laundry has piled up, I think to myself, "I wanna' be Instagram Rach". She's got it together, she's out doing something fun and she doesn't have to do any of this kind of stuff. Reality check, yes she does!
THE NEXT 12 MONTHS AT A GLANCE.
As many of you know, I've dived back into my Maker passion and am hosting POP UP VINTAGE TRUNK SHOWS every other month. I am working on teaching DIY Workshops, Workspace Workshops for Women Entrepreneurs, New DIY Decorating Products that will be available here on my website. I have also plunged back into Personal Styling and Image Consulting. I was a Fashionista waaaay before I was a Decorista and I have gotten so many requests from people to help them with their personal style that I've created a new Closet Therapy Session Service as well!
THANK YOU to all of my clients and readers of this blog for your support over the past year! I think you rock. As always, if you have a room project that I can help you with, click on the contact tab to set up your consultation! Also, sign up for my newsletter and receive my Guide to Choosing Furniture Like a Boss!