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???”
Congrats on the big decision CCK!! You are adorable and your recipes are stunning. Can’t wait to try your new concoctions.
I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU- YAY!!! You go girl, for pursing your dreams. Can’t see what’s next for CCK!!
Congratulations on making such an awesome decision! I finished uni last June and I have been massively fretting about what to do and what direction to take. But I decided that as long as I was doing what made me happy at that moment (currently working in a cafe) then it didn’t matter.
I am so excited that we get to read your blog for longer (I was slightly worried at the beginning of the post you were leaving us) and I’m really looking forward to more of your recipes. Afterall if you’ve been creating all the recipes you have when at college full time, imagine the awesomeness that’ll be coming out of your kitchen when you’re doing it full time!
Elise x
My sister is in the same boat as you! She graduated with a business degree from a highly-accredited school (BU), but she turns down stuff she knows isn’t right for her… and for the past year she’s happily been working at a burger place! (Ok, so we are polar opposites in terms of our food choices, but the point is that she’s working a low-paying job and couldn’t be happier!)
I couldn’t bare to be stuck in an office all day, it’d drive me crazy even though I’d probably earn a lot more!! x
Did you just recently graduate from college in May? I saw you went to Bryn Mawr in your last post…What a prestigious school! How awesome! What did you study? I am so glad you have choosen to keep blogging. I’m currently in a similar situation. I’m finishing my Pre-Med and Marketing degree, and I have decided that I want to start an Organic Cosmetics line, because it’s ridiculous what companies put in their products. I have been researching this for the past two years. I kept putting it off because of the pressure to go to medical school, but you can only live for yourself. Most of my family is completely supportive. I know that if I went to medical school I would have job stability and a lot of money, but I would be so miserable. We spend most of our lives working, so it’s important to pursue what we love. I completely know how you feel when it comes to being uncertain about the future…It can been terrifying. Everything will turn out great in the long run, and it will be well worth the short-term sacrifices!
Hey Lauren!
I actually only went to BMC for my first year. It IS a great school, but it was hard to get into certain classes, and I found myself taking things I didn’t want, simply because they were the only open classes left that fit into my schedule (a downside of having a small school is that fewer class sections are offered). So I ended up transferring. I really did love the beauty of the school, though!
Good luck if you do start that cosmetics line. I’m sure I’ll someday be buying some, if you do ;).
*Chosen
Me and my typos ha ha ha 🙂
Wow, I can’t believe how many comments you have on this post! Obviously I’m not the only one who loves your blog! 🙂
Oh yay!
I was worried that you were going to close your blog down thereby rendering the internet a less delicious place. Good for you, Katie!
(Now that you’re a full-time blogeteer, I expect copious amounts of tasty treats from you!)
<3 Maddy
Oh I will have to work extra hard, then. I can’t let you down. Ooh yay, an excuse to make more chocolate foods (and thus EAT more chocolate foods!) ;).
Big time reader here! I love your blog and your positive attitude, Katie. I know you’re going to go far in this world!
Congrats, CCK. I adore your blog. It is my very favorite. Thanks for all you do. Your passion really shows through!
awesome decision! following your heart is always best. 🙂