you know how sometimes when you need it most, the universe leaves you a trail of breadcrumbs

In mid-August, I took a week off from my paid job.

I was tired.
I wasn’t happy.

and I was really wondering what the hell to do with my life

I hadn’t been entirely happy in my job for some time.  It had become an effort to get myself ready in the mornings, I was getting very short with the kids at work and then at the end of the day, coming home and drinking too much wine. Something had to give…

That something ended up being having my skill as a photographer questioned by people who know not-very-much about photography.  I was so severely pissed off at having my knowledge and ability questioned.  I’d reached breaking-point,

so, I walked into the Boss’s office and asked for the week off.  I looked like shit, so he told me to take as long as I needed

I took a week. A week of laying in the sun, reading my book and having conversations with the dog – who apart from wanting me to pat her all of the time, made for a great listener.

By the end of the week, things still weren’t any clearer.  I wanted to take a leap of faith and start a photography business… something I’ve been dreaming about for a little while now, but the uncertainty about income (especially when there always seems to be something popping up to drain the bank balance) had me torn.

enter the breadcrumbs

Part of my unsettlement (if that is even a word!) this year has been that it is my Beautiful Girl’s final year at school.  It’s been a big year for her, and for all of us in the family as well.  And even though I knew the time was coming for her to fly from the nest and make her own way in life, I wasn’t sure I ready for that.

It was a conversation with my Naturopath that was the catalyst for my first step.  I can’t remember the exact words, but it was the proverbial  lightbulb moment when I realised that it was time for me to put what I wanted first. And I wanted to start this business.

The longest journey, or project, begins with the first step.
When it is too hard to picture the whole journey, break it down into smaller ones.

~from Now Is the Time by Patrick Lindsay

A couple of days later I came across The 100 Day Goal – 100 days of actions towards a goal that you really want.  I’d made the initial decision and discussed it with the family, but now I had to start the journey to making it actually happen. This program was how I was going to break down the setting up of my business into smaller, manageable chunks.

A bundle of other advice was appearing in my inbox and feeds as well.  And instead of giving these things a cursory glance, I took the time to read them and to really mull them over.

I was following my trail of breadcrumbs.

Today is Day 50 of the 100.  I’m half way there, with still a bit to do.

By December 8, I will well and truly have this business up and running.  And I’m excited about it.

because life is short, too short to be unhappy and wondering ‘what if’

Anything is possible if you want it hard enough.  You’ve just to got to eat your elephant one bite at a time.

If you are thinking about starting your own photography business, visit my photography:business board on Pinterest.

Image credit: Sander Weeteling