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???”
Recently found your blog while looking for healthy desserts. So glad you decide to continue with your dreams.
Best of luck to you.
Fran
Oh Katie! I cannot believe I missed this post! Ahh, I have so much to say, but I don’t know how to say it! Excuse me while I just let it flow: Congratulations…it takes so much courage to chose the “path less traveled” and I COMMEND you for it!…SOOO proud of you for following your heart/gut/dreams!
You are such an inspiration…both in and out of the kitchen! Can’t wait to see your future chocolate covered shenanigans now that you can devote yourself to it 100%…I already know it’s going to be great! 🙂
Whoa, what a scary and exciting decision! I’m excited for you, though, and know you will do well. You have this amazing vibe that comes through your posts; even though I’ve never met you face to face, I still feel amazingly positive and relaxed when I come here and read one of your posts.
I don’t know if you’ve ever thought about doing a cookbook, but if you put together a bunch of recipes and offered it through some kind of print-on-demand site, I’d buy it in a heartbeat. I think it’s safe to say a lot of people would. You have great recipes that I’ve been dying to try — and now that I found a job, I can actually buy the ingredients — so an entire cookbook would be amazing. There are tons of print-on-demand sites, like CreateSpace and Lulu… Just some food for thought. 😉
Also, if you need any technical help, feel free to shoot me an email, or tweet me @elizabethbarone. I’m a WordPress junkie and use it for all of my sites, and I certainly wouldn’t charge you for quick help. (For design work, I would, but only because I have to eat, too. :D) So just keep me in mind if you run into any issues with your site!
Awwwww! Thank you so so much, Liz! And lol I am actually having a bunch of tech issues at the moment. My blog keeps crashing! I would love for your imput: Do you know how many page views/day a shared server is supposed to handle? Apparently I have the super cache installed, yet people keep saying my blog is giving them database errors. I’m thinking I might have to switch to VBS? But I am so tech-illiterate that I don’t even really know what that means, let alone how to do it! I might have to hire you sometime!
Oh, and thanks for your sweet words about the cookbook. There definitely already is a CCK cookbook in the works :).
Bravo Katie! I absolutely adore you, and I love the fact that you’re following your dreams and not letting the fear of money (or the lack thereof) get in the way. I can guarantee you that money won’t be an issue for you. You’re already a success and you’re only going to continue to become more of one now that you can devote your time to this 100%. In fact, this post helped me too…I’m working through some similar issues and it was nice to hear someone else express the same love for blogging and desire to make it work rather than do something else with less passion.
Aww thanks, Iris! And good luck to you, too. Higgins hugs ;).
I am one of your newest followers and I’m looking to see what you have in store for this endeavor 🙂
I’m late-on-the-scene here but just wanted to share some encouragement and congratulations. I fully understand the fear factor that comes with taking a chance and running with your passion but I think you have the relatability as a person, food ingenuity and blogging skills to make blogging a full time gig. And with any chances you take, you have to take comfort in knowing that you tried – you can’t succeed if you don’t try. Not that you won’t succeed because you will. You’ve hooked too many people on those darn fudge babies 🙂
This post made me so happy, as I’ve been really debating what my future is going to hold once I graduate from university this coming May… should I pursue graduate studies? Or should I do what I really am passionate about, and attend yoga teacher training and nutrition school? Now I really feel like I should take control of my life, and do what I know will make me happy!
Woot! Go for it, girl! I quit my first time job out of college to follow my dreams, and it has been the best decision I’ve ever made 🙂
Blogging IS a job! Many people and companies earn their entire or a big portion of their income from blogging. There’s nothing wrong with being a professional blogger, especially if you run it as a business! So glad to see you make an awesome decision! 🙂 Good luck with it, but you’re already successful so I wish you continued luck and future prosperity!
Thanks Jenn! And lol I need the well wishes… I’m so naive when it comes to blog advertising! 😕
I am sooooo happy that you aren’t quitting! Yours are usually the only “desserts” that I can eat! What would I do with you?! 🙂
🙂 🙂
With a face and bubbly personality like yours I wouldn’t be surprised someone scarfs you up for your own tv show someday.
How ’bout trying to get on the Martha Stewart show? Promotion, promotion … maybe we all here can bombard her with a request to have you on? Would you like that at some point?
Oh gosh, that’d be AWESOME. Awesome awesome… awesomer than awesome ;).
HAY EVERYONE — JOIN ME! I just emailed Martha Stewart ( http://www.marthastewart.com/askmartha) to ask her to look at this blog and to consider having Katie on her show. I did mention that it was a vegan dessert blog because Martha has already been open-minded enough to have Biz Stone (founder of Twitter), Kathy Freston, and Gene Baur on her show.
Aw wow, Paula, you are too incredibly sweet! You put a huge smile on my face!!!
It is a wonderful gift and opportunity for you that full-time blogging is an option. Many people would love to delve into the world of full-time blogging but are forced to work full-time jobs. As you know, there’s just not enough energy in life to give our full selves to both. So stay grateful for your option, and I hope that it does become a sufficient source of income for you. You’re at the beginning of a wonderful journey.
Katie, this post is so inspirational! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on becoming a FT blogger – it may be scary, but it’s awesome and wonderful that you’re even able to consider this option. Best of luck to you!!!
PS – I was just wondering, who eats all the goodies you make every day!?
PPS – I know you menioned a while ago wanting a new look for the blog. now that you’ve decided to become “professional” you should definitely find a good web designer and have a ball. I wish I knew online coding, I’d offer to help you in a heartbeat – it’d be such an honor.
PPPS – you totally need to write a cookbook!!!
Hi Julie!!
Haha I actually wrote about this on my faq page because so many people ask! As a short answer, I eat some of it and my friends polish off the rest!
I really DO need a web designer… but I really wish I could find one in person! It’s so hard to describe what you want through emails!
I already look forward to my daily e-mail. In fact I got the yogurt news yesterday and checked at a local store that thinks it has it all…and they didn’t! Would love to try some. I appreciate your help as I’m managing my diabetes.
Keep the excitement coming!
Thanks,
Becky
A cookbook with all of your recipes would definitely go over soooo well!!! I am stationed in Germany, and my hubby is deployed in Afghanistan for a year. I’ve taken on a million different projects to keep me busy while he is gone…and my favorite has been whipping up your amazing recipes!!!! Even my little munchkins love these healthy little creations 🙂 It’s hard having their Daddy so far away, and I want to make them smile and happy…so saying “Sure, you can have another cookie” without feeling guilty for feeding them junk, is always a bonus 🙂 🙂 🙂 I know that I am only one of many that completely support your decision to make the next step in blogging….we sure do not want to see you walk away from something that you are so good at! Maybe you could even look into starting your own little cooking network on TV??? 🙂 🙂 🙂
Oh wow, Natasha, thank you so much for such an amazing comment. But even more than that, thank you so much for what you–and your husband–do for our country. I can’t even imagine the bravery and sacrifice it takes, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!
Also, haha a cooking show would pretty much be a dream… I probably need to get over my stage fright first, though! 😉