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???”
Wow! Congratulations on the brave decision! I wish I had the guts to follow my dreams like you do. I wish you lots of luck and success in your “new job” 🙂 .
Big life decisions are always stressful – totally how I felt when I gave up my full-time job two years ago to go back to school, in hopes of getting into the dietetics program…and it all turned out. Sometimes you have to take that leap of faith and go for what you really want and where your passions lie. And never think your college education was for not – you will have learned things you never thought applicable until you come to a situation where you use them. Plus you never know what other opportunities will present themselves, and you may very well end up with a “real job” part time to compliment blogging.
Looking forward to many more desserts from my favourite hockey lovin’ Texan!
Right now, it’s hard to believe they EVER play hockey in Texas… it is 110 degrees (which is like 44 C!) Yuck!
I’m glad you decided to continue blogging 🙂 I like your recipes so much and you are very inspiring.
Katie, I heard this once and I thought I’d pass it on to you:
If your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough.
I’m so happy you’re doing what you want to do. 🙂
Thanks Eva! What a great quote!!
Katie…I am so happy that you are following your dreams. Especially because your desserts are so dreamy! But seriously…besides the fact that I’ve made a dozen of your recipes (at least) and keep up every day with your blog and pass it along to all my health nuts and foodie friends, it makes me so happy that you get such joy out of it, too. It most definitely is important to follow your passion, because chocolate happiness is what matters most. And when you’re passionate about something, you do it well, and when you do it well, money follows! <3 Keep blogging 🙂
This is so exciting! its awesome that your blog has gotten so big and popular that you’re able to make a decision like this!!! So proud of you girl!!!
You have the BEST blog!!!!!
Huge congrats on this decision Katie!!! We love your blog so much, and I can tell you do too. You put so much time and effort into it and I’m glad you take so much pride and happiness in it. Where would i be without your banana butter, cookie pie, fudge babies…. I’d be hungry, that’s for sure! When you do what you love, you find a way to manage. It may not be ideal, but at least you’re happy. That’s what is important in the long run!
I’m so happy for you 🙂 I think it is a great decision and can’t wait to have more chocolate covered delicious recipes to try. Thanks for all of your time, devotion and committment to this blog. I LOVE reading your blog!!
I am so excited for you!! I think you are definitely taking a step in the right direction – when you are passionate about something, it is easier to be successful at it. Good for you!