If you’ve read some of my posts prior to this one, you already know this first part of my story: I’ve been blogging for nearly twenty years (!!) but only started doing it “seriously” (i.e. for profit) in November of 2015.

I don’t know what the weather is like where you’re at, but it’s FINALLY (sorta) starting to feel like Fall here in Illinois. And with Fall comes those memories of last year…

Desperately wishing to quit my 9-5.

Hating having to bring my kids out in the cold weather every day and physically feeling my heart rip each time I had to leave them crying at daycare.

Making only $2.70/hour after paying for said daycare.

Having this ache, this KNOWING, that I was meant for more but instead trudging forward through the sludge of what I was “supposed to do” vs. what I WANTED to do.

Then on Nov. 18th, ever so quietly, I hit “publish” on my very first TG post: A Review of InboxDollars

Little did I know that less than 5 months after that, I’d be quitting my career in Higher Education to work from home full-time as a blogging mentor and online business strategist.

I say this not to brag, but to encourage YOU to follow YOUR dreams. To celebrate your strengths and listen to your heart. Don’t waste years and years doing something you hate, or even just something you feel “meh” about.

Time passes you so quickly, with no real knowing of when it might end, so why waste another day feeling anything less than your best?

You were given your dreams and passions for a reason and they deserve more than just a passing glance as you once again shove them into the darkness. I know what it’s like to think your goals are unreachable, merely childish whimsies and fantasies, but I promise you, you CAN get there if you actually take a moment to acknowledge them, to say “Yes, I WILL do this.”

I’m living proof that anything can happen, so long as you keep trying.

It is NEVER too late to do better. To find your joy, to love your life, and to live each day as it comes, simply grateful it arrived.

Make today (yes, today) a wonderful one. You’ve got this.

(Sidenote: I wrote this post on November 9th 2016 and if I can stay optimistic even on the darkest of days, so can you!)

What dreams will you acknowledge today?

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Thrifty Guardian was founded as a way to help parents lead richer lives through money saving tips, side hustle ideas, and parenting advice (including fun DIYs and recipes!)