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???”
Hi Katie,
I made your peanut butter pretzels bars today. My daughter wanted chocolate magic on top in stead. Yum. And next I want to try the pumpkin brownies. It is good news for me that your are sticking with your blog. I enjoy the pictures and trying recipes with healthier ingredients. This may be a personal question but how does a blogger make money? I assume you get sponsors or advertisements but I don’t see any on your site. I am just curious and hope that you are compensated for all the work you do that we get to enjoy. I have to say that it is also your sunny attitude, honesty and sharing that I also enjoy reading.
Thanks for your work and creativity. We at the Norberg-Sanchez house enjoy it!
I’m actually publishing a post today with more info! 🙂
Katie I just read an older response your gave to Heather answering my question. I thought it was something like that. =)
Katie, you are a shining example of what can happen when a person refuses to buy the ‘mainstream’ version of life–punching in at 9am and punching back out at 5pm–and decides to take a calculated risk and live the life he/she was truly meant to live. We all have different talents, abilities, and passions for a reason–our lives are most certainly not by accident and in my opinion serve more purpose than what science has otherwise tried to teach us. When you have a talent and you LOVE what you do so much that are you willing to do it all day long without earning a dime, there is ALWAYS someone willing to pay you for that talent. You HAVE what they NEED, and you are essentially ‘solving a problem’ for someone else. That’s why people pay for anything…to have their problems solved.
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog so much, and it inspires me to go in the direction of my OWN dreams that much more.
<3 <3 <3
I love your site and have used many of your recipes. I’m excited to get some new ones in the form of a cookbook. I have many cookbooks that I don’t use but this one will be a USER. Good luck and keep following your dreams.
I love your blog. Just wanted you to know. It’s amazing – I share it with everyone.
Aw thank you, Paige!!
One of my friends recently showed me your blog and since that moment I have been absolutely obsessed with the chocolate covered diet! My siblings many of my friends find my healthy diet wierd, and think I’m crazy when I choose a roasted veggie platter rather than a huge hamburger when we go out to eat. However, the one chink in the armour of my healthy diet plan has always been dessert! I am in love with chocolate and am soooooo happy you keep up this incredible blog. I can now make your delectable desserts which are a little bit of a “take that” to my friends who don’t think healthy can’t taste delicious! Your recipes are amazing and perfect fuels for the rigorouss cross- country season. Thanks for all of your work, Abbey:)
Aw thanks, abbey!
I am so glad you didn’t give up, if you had, I wouldn’t of found your wonderful blog. I recommend it all the time, make desserts, feed them to children, friends, anyone willing, and then tell them what is in it (well I don’t tell the kids everything)! Everything is so fun to make and I enjoy adding and changing them up and seeing where I end up. I also am one of those who look forward to my daily e-mail with some cool new treat to try. Way to go – keep up the amazing work!
Thank you so much, Sue. That really means a lot to me :).
It’s not really apparent to me how you are making money from the site. I don’t see ads or cookbooks. How are you making ends meet?
That being said, if you as a recent college grad, who took a few years after college to be a successful full time blogger, came in for an interview with me, I would look very favorably on that. It shows a lot of initiative and business savvy in the digital world. A lot (most) of our social media marketers don’t have a fraction of the experience you have gained through this blog. I would say that, should you eventually go the traditional route of employment, this experience will be more valuable than you college education.
Best of luck!!!
Thanks, Dan! I actually DO have ads on my site, and I’m working on a cookbook :).
More about blogging as a job here: https://lett-trim.today/2012/04/15/blogging-as-a-full-time-job/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Just found your blog today and can’t wait to try your recipes!!!! Pumpkin Frappachino shall be my first. Just makes my mouth water to think about it. You definitely have a talent and a passion, and I’m glad I found you!!! I’m following all your boards on Pinterest too. Keep up the amazing recipes and funny comments. Good luck with your future which we all hope includes keeping the blog for a long, long time.
Thank you so much, Susan!
So happy you decided to stick around! I only found your blog about when you wrote this; I would have been very sad. You are great Katie!