Time to talk about the F word.
Yesterday’s f word was frivolous: Healthy Frappucinos.
But today, it’s time to get more serious; today’s f word is “future.” Specifically, my future and the future of my chocolate-covered blog.
The future of Chocolate Covered Katie…
This summer, I had to make a big decision regarding the blog I’ve written for over three years. I enjoy every second of the blogging process—from writing posts to creating recipes to setting up photoshoots to interacting with readers. But keeping up a blog takes a lot of time, and as the blog has grown, so too has the time requirement. Answering the hundreds of daily questions I receive from readers could be a full-time job in itself!
I knew there’d be no way to maintain a full-time job and still focus as much passion and energy as I’d like on CCK. If I didn’t want to give up the blog completely, I would at least be forced to give it less than my full attention.
This was not ok with me. When I do something, I do it 100% or not at all. But I couldn’t imagine giving up all my passions to make room for a job where I’d be miserable. Therefore, I decided to make this blog…
My full-time job.
It seems to easy, now, to write the above statement. Just. Like. That. But the truth is my decision wasn’t just like that. It took many hours of going back and forth, writing pros-and-cons lists, and eating a copious number of chocolate bars to counter all the nervousness. There were many “cons” on the list of reasons not to keep blogging, but I realized that most of them had something to do with security. And when it comes down to it, I’d rather take a risk if there’s a possibility to be ridiculously happy.
With Robert Frost’s “Road not Taken” poem in mind, I’ve decided to not go out and look for a “real” job. Instead, I will be a full-time blogger, at Chocolate-Covered Katie.
Nothing is going to change, except that I’ll now have even more time to dream up—and experiment with—healthy dessert creations like hot chocolate fudge cinnamon rolls or chocolate pumpkin cream pie. If I have a chance to do what I love for a living, I need to take that chance. I have to take a risk and at least try!
The fact that I even have the opportunity to make this choice is all thanks to you. If you’ve ever recommended my site to a friend, shared a link, liked the Chocolate Covered Katie Facebook Page, made one of my recipes, or even simply read one of my posts, I am so incredibly grateful.
Yes, I’m scared about the future now that I’ve made my decision. But I’m also excited because of the people with whom I’ll get to interact every day: you all! (Well, you all and chocolate. I must admit to being pretty thrilled my job lets me work so closely with chocolate.) I think part of my apprehension for the future is unavoidable no matter what route I take. That’s just the nature of getting out on one’s own and defining one’s life. It’s a scary time.
I am so indebted to your support and kindness that makes it even possible for me to explore this path. I hope, if any of you are ever faced with a scary decision requiring you to take a leap of faith, that you go for it! Don’t force your passions to take a back seat to the “shoulds” and “have to”s in life, because you only stand to look back someday with regret, thinking:
“What if I’d followed my dreams???”
I’m glad you’re going to keep blogging. I would miss you if you left. <3
Congrats on the decision! Looking forward to still following chocolate covered katie.
Katie, I don’t even know where to begin. First, when it sounded like you may be ending your blog, it nearly brought tears to my eyes (not even joking!). Then I decided that you knew what was best for you, and I would happy for you for doing whatever else you were planning on doing. Then I got excited that you were going to keep blogging. Then I almost began crying again because the last part was so touching (I’m sooo sensitive! Ever seen Marley and Me? I definitely cry at the end EVERY time!) and is something I think about a lot – doing want I want to do because it’s my dream. In the end, I’m so incredibly happy that you’re following your own dreams! Even if your dream wasn’t to continue blogging and you went with whatever your dream was, I would happy for you. Truly. You can definitely tell that blogging is something you love from the all the heart you put into each post and comment. You will be sooo successful in life because of how caring and dedicated you are. This was an incredibly inspiring post. (And obviously pretty emotional for me 😉 )
We’ll always be here for you! (Especially me! 😀 )
Chocolate hugs to you too x 1000000!!
<3 <3 <3
Haha I think I am even more sensitive than you… I refuse to even see Marley and Me! I still cry thinking about Old Yeller, and I saw that when I was in 5th grade!
You are so incredibly sweet, and I love you!
Your blog is one of my favorits and I look forward evrry day to your post.
Chocolat huggs from Denmark
Awwww chocolate hugs back from Texas! (Unfortunately, they’re melted chocolate hugs because it is so hot here!)
I hope now that you will be a full-time blogger that you expand your blog even more!! All the healthy desserts are wonderful, but I’d like more of the day-to-day type posts too! Congratulations and good luck!
Aw, I’m so excited for you! I’ll admit I was a little nervous when I first started reading your post. I may not comment all the time, but I love your blog and would hate to see you stop! Good luck! Although I know you wont need luck 😀
Congratulations! I am so happy and excited for you! This post is such an inspiration to many of us out there hesitant about following our dreams!! Your blog is one of a kind,and I look forward to reading more!:)
I read your blog every day, Katie. It makes me think I could someday be a vegan!
I am so happy for you! I’m sure its scary as hell, but I’m sure your blog will prosper! Everything will work out for you 🙂
Your blog is my favorite, CCK. I was so worried for a minute that you were going to say you didn’t have time to blog any more. I would’ve been SO upset! I’m so selfishly glad that you’re going to find time to still post those delicious desserts. I am in love with your blondies, raw chocolate fudge cake, oatmeal trick, fat pancakes, and every other recipe of yours I’ve ever tried!