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 know I don’t always comment, but I am a gigantic CCK fan and will support you through whatever decisions you make regarding this blog. But secretly I hope you never stop blogging. Unless of course it’s to write that cookbook I am greatly anticipating!!!!
Yay Katie I’m sooo happy you’re continuing your blog! I just discovered it this summer but now I get excited to read it every day and try your recipes. It’s been a HUGE help for me in going toward a vegan diet — not to mention it was the whole reason I looked into it in the first place — and it’s just so fun and lighthearted. It may sound crazy but it makes me feel like a kid again to read your blog with all it’s excitement, sprinkles, and most importantly chocolate! You are definitely going places!
Haha maybe it’s all the funfetti and sprinkles I use? Cooking with sprinkles always makes ME feel like a kid again too ;).
Woooooooop! Congratulations! So pleased for you and good for you for following the dream, if that doesn’t sound too (vegan) cheese-y 🙂
I think it’ll be a real success because of how good your blog is.
And I also promise to give you full support by making your chocolate-covered creations. It’s a hard life *sigh* 🙂
I love this post, Katie. Just like all your other posts. You have a way of speaking to me. I know you’re writing to thousands (millions?) but it feels like you’re personally talking to just me. Thank you so much for all the hard work you do. I know you are going to succeed in whatever you put your mind to!
Wow, congratulations Katie!! That’s a big decision to make and I hope it proves to be a successful and happy one. Choosing the road less travelled is always a complicated decision, one that many people aren’t brave enough to do. Thank you for choosing to keep the blog, not only for the benefit of your readers (including me), but also for doing something you feel is ‘right’. Keep it up. There are many of us standing behind you, supporting you!
Congratulations to my favorite blogger and future (I hope) cookbook author!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We love you CCK!
Katie, I’m sitting here nearly about to cry after reading this post. I am so proud of you – that is a remarkably tough decision. I’m going through something similar as well. My biggest passions are health, fitness, and helping others, and I’ve known for years that I need to combine these things to live my ultimate, most-fulfilling life. I’ve been working a desk job for almost four years and just recently started my own home business as a health and fitness coach. I’m trying to balance the two right now without getting too overwhelmed, but doing something that excites every fiber of my being feels so… *right* (as you said in your post :), regardless of the time commitment.
I really wish you all the best in your journey. You have many loving, loyal friends and supporters, which is a priceless gift at the start of your new adventure.
Thank you so much, Jen. And I’m wishing you good luck too… I think the first step is KNOWING what you want to do and what your passions are. So many people are clueless (like I was a few years ago). So we are ahead of the game. You can’t follow your dreams if you don’t know what they are!
So considering i’m like the 4858 commenter on your post, I doubt you’ll even get to my comment, BUT, i just want to say thank you for sharing your dreams with us!! This post really helped me out today as I’m currently going through some mind-games, wondering if the path I’m on is worth the sacrifice etc, etc (just posted about it today, in fact – crazy coincidence!). Reading that you’re following your dreams, even though your not yet sure of the path (just like me) makes me feel a whole lot better in my own decision! So thank you, Katie!
Oh Allison, of COURSE I see your comment! It also makes me feel better to know I’m not the only one. We’re in this together, trying to figure out our futures. Good luck with yours!!! 🙂
Aw, this couldn’t be a more relevant post, Katie! Way to speak straight from your heart and go for your dreams. You’re an inspiration to all of us of that example 🙂 I’m going through the same thing, except I haven’t finished college yet 🙂 I badly need a job during school, but don’t want to have to lessen my blogging time as I LOVE IT. So true- my brain flows with foodie ideas each day and had I not started a blog, I’d keep all the ideas to myself! Blogging is super fun in that way and many more. I wish I could turn my blog into more of a job, but I guess that’ll come with that- as it did with you.
Good luck Katie and you’re awesome!
Phew! I was getting nervous reading this post. What would I do with out recipes like Blondie Batter Dip (how did you ever come up with that idea?! So, so good.) GOOD LUCK!!!!!! I think your decision is fantastic for you.