Stop Making Things So Difficult

Back in February I left my job. Ok, it wasn’t just a job. It was actually a 20 year career in insurance. A career I never planned or wished for in the first place, then again, no one in insurance actually plans to go into insurance. But wait, let me take you back to the early 2000s.

I’ll set the scene… 22 year old single mom doing over nights at a group home + 2 year old kid + college classes = very tired and stressed young lady. Not to mention my parents were helping me a lot so I had to get a normal, boring 9 to 5. It was supposed to be temporary but… life, kid, stability and oh, did you know when you’re in insurance they pay for all your education? And so begins my 20 year career.

It wasn’t supposed to be that long, but it happened. As the years went on I wasn’t happy and I didn’t LOVE insurance, but it became something I knew. Something I was good at. It becomes natural. Your mind starts thinking, well what else can I do? You get caught up in the cycle of looking at jobs and then thinking about how much easier it is to just stay where you are because… well, looking for a job IS A JOB! It’s tiring.

Fast forward to 2020. Covid hits. We all work from home. My son is now grown and on his own. People start calling and reading their policies and complaining and calling and complaining. I got to the point where I didn’t want to be nice anymore. Maybe it was burnout. Maybe it’s pre-menopausal hormones. Maybe it was the universe pushing me. Maybe it was joining Color Street and seeing all the potential I have. Realizing that I am so much more than an insurance customer service agent.

Now, I can’t say it was easy to leave. I definitely planned and planned and worked my butt off to make it happen. But I will tell you it was worth it!

“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Meanwhile, I took a job that I enjoy. One of those jobs that doesn’t even feel like a real job! It just felt so easy! And, it pays my bills! I have so much time to work on my own business and do all the things I enjoy. So please tell me why I continued to take on other part time jobs these past few months. Over the last couple months I took on 2 or 3 jobs that definitely didn’t last more than a couple of weeks. I would get all excited and start doing them only to realize it was eating up my time and energy, not to mention, I wasn’t enjoying it!

So… I am putting this out here right now to let you all know that this summer I am not allowed to commit to anything but ME! For the next 3 months I am not allowed to do anything except my one job and all the things I love. I will be reading and going to the beach and writing and doing nails! That’s it!

This summer I’m going to stop making more work for me. I’m going to enjoy this new found freedom. Let go of the idea that things need to be more difficult to be successful! Let go of the idea that we have to work harder instead of smarter!

I am committing to my health. I’m committing to writing more. I am committing to loving me and taking care of me. I am no longer making things more difficult!

Does this mean I’m giving up on building my business? No! It means I’m taking my time to explore what I really want. To enjoy all the things that summer in New England brings. I’m doing the work on me instead of giving my energy to all these other people and spaces that aren’t fulfilling me. I’ve realized they are just my way of avoiding focusing on me. Avoiding putting the work into myself!

So I hope you will come along and explore with me this summer. I hope to share more here and inspire and teach and motivate you all!

What do you do to make things easier for yourself? Or how do you make things more difficult? Let me know in the comments!