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???”
Katie, I love your site but I know I’d love you on YouTube even more! I think it’s the next step in Kate-volution. Also, I’m sure you’d get a large number of subscribers where you’d be making some nice cash.
I can totally see you standing in a sexy kitchen showing us how to make all your delicious recipes. The world is waiting . . .
Katie, it would shock me with all of your work to even sen me a response is email. But somehow, someway I had to ask. What is really the secret to just growing a business and doing well. This field of cooking has been my passion my entire life, I was raised in the restaurant business. However I do it healthy. I would literally fall over to do what you do and inspire others. I just returned from Cambodia volunteering with young women and children teaching proper health and what I noticed was my niche for making things healthy and cooking for a community often. I’m home now, wanting to find a way, any way, to do what you do. I’m lost. How the heck do you do it? Katie you inspire me. Really. Go girl.
Good for you, Katie!! Congratulations on your decision and all your success so far! I totally believe in following your dreams and living your passion. I just came across your site a few hours ago and have been captivated by your story and delicious-looking, healthy recipes ever since! You’ve inspired me to not only try the black bean brownies and no-bake chocolate peanut butter pie (both of which I am going to make today!), but I’ve also thought about starting a blog of my own but wasn’t sure of the subject matter. It just dawned on me…martinis!!! Making decadent, delicious, festive martinis has been a passion of mine for at least 10 years. Having made them for family and friends’ parties, I’m known as the mad mixologist, always being told I should bartend for a living or write a recipe book! I also love photographing them. After considering all my options, I thought a blog would be the perfect blend of all those things that I truly enjoy, which would incorporate posting my recipes and photographing them for my blog site! And if I can make a little money at the same time, that’s a plus! (I still have to research how to monetize a blog as I am brand new to it.) Someday, I hope to have even half the success that you’ve had! Thanks for the inspiration, I wish you all the best!! ?
I like your approach to eating as something to enjoy each day. Besides nourishing our bodies, food satisfies our senses, and is so much a part of social cultures. I have been a dietetic technician in an acute-care hospital for 28 years. That might make me sound like one of those haughty, now-it-all nutrition types. But my first strategy when discussing changes in their eating habits, because of a newly discovered chronic illness, was to avoid total deprivation of some of their favorite foods. Sometimes all that’s needed is altering some ingredients or recipe amounts to allow for that special treat. I don’t believe in diets….those are what people do a month before their high school reunions! Eating is part of our lifestyle, just like our favorite activities, attitudes, and so on. So I say “Three cheers!” to you for sharing your ideas about food, and of course, all the recipes you’ve created. Someone told me once that I should start a blog. But I’m not sure what I want to talk about…I am interested in lots of things, some passionately, and some I am probably over-zealous about. I’m going to try the Banana Bread; I’m sure the kids will devour it! Consider me a fan! Bon apetit!!
Love your page so much! As a nutritionist who advocates healthy eating, rather than dieting, love being able to promote you and your site. Keep up the good work, Katie!! Thank you!
Thank you so much!!
You are such an inspiration! Do you have a degree in nutrition? How did you learn about the way ingredients interact and whatnot? Do you just try out random ingredients or alter recipes you find online? I just started an Food Instagram and want to start coming up with my own recipes and stuff. I’d love any advice you have!
Thank you 🙂
No degree in nutrition, but I have been experimenting for years… decades, I guess. In the beginning, I would use other recipes as a base, but after a while you learn what proportions of ingredients (baking soda, salt, flour, etc.) to use. Still have many failed experiments though. That’s part of the fun!
Hi Katie. You were one of the very first clean baking website/blog I came across years ago. I absolutely love making clean eats & treats & have thought about setting up a blog. Can you help me out as to where do I start? One day I’d like to do this full time & create my own cookbook. I just need some help from someone as successful as you point me in the right direction. ? Did you create a free blog or did you have someone create you a website? How did you gain such a large following & gain exposure to tv shows etc? Anything else you can help me with would be appreciated. Thanks so very much x
Hi Katie,
I want to start my own channel and dedicate to do what I love which is educate others in nutrition. But I’m a little afraid to leave my two jobs to pursue this. What financial advice would you give me?
I know it is several years later that I am reading this—-and I go to your recipes and website often—-but GOOD FOR YOU for doing what makes you happy. I couldn’t have read this at a better time! I just did the same thing—-I took a leap of faith!
I quit my very nice salaried position and took a much lower paying job to do something that will make me much happier! And I couldn’t agree with you more about being scared—-I am really scared financially. But I am hoping that all will work out because I will be so much happier!
Thank you for sharing your story and your blog. You are an inspiration to all!!
Hi Katie,
I am so thrilled you moved to Washington, DC. I am a nutritionist here in NOVA (as we say around here). I would love to grab a cup of coffee sometimes with you. I have been following your career since about 2011 and have given your blog to all my clients. My website is http://www.zizania.com if you are curious who I am.