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???”
I have been awaiting this post since you said you had news to share on Tuesday. I am SO glad that you are keeping your blog and pursuing what is right for you! Thanks for sharing what’s been going on too (I am still pulling for a CCK cookbook). I LOVE reading your blog and look forward to seeing what you have everyday! You really inspire me to eat what sounds fun and explore new ideas! Thanks Katie!
Great post – congratulations! I only recently discovered your blog and immediately fell in love with it. I’m super excited that there will be many more recipes to come. I, too, hope I have the courage to follow my dreams and just do what makes me happy. When I’m finally brave enough, you’ll be my inspiration! 🙂
I just started reading your blog recently because I had to change my diet due to health reasons. I may not have tried any particular recipe but it’s very enjoyable to see all the possibilities and learn about new ingredients. I’m so glad you’re sticking around =)
Hey katie! Just wondering what you majored in college? And really glad that you’re not going to give up blogging! I don’t know what I’ll do without all your recipies!!
I think I need to do a whole separate post about college! I’m starting to write it right now :).
Congratulations, Katie, on making a difficult decision! I know how scary making post-graduation decisions can be–which is probably why I am still in school…. From a completely selfish point of view, I am certainly glad that I will be able to come here to “see” you everyday as I toil away at my dissertation over the next few years. Reading your blog over the past year or so has been a great joy to me each day and getting to try your recipes has increased my confidence in the kitchen and increased my repetoire of recipes. Thanks!
That’s awsome news. You must be feeling so excited!!
Congratulations Katie! It is so hard to make big decisions like this one, but going with your gut feeling and your passion is always the right choice. I wish you the best of luck and I look forward to reading your blog for a long time to come!
This post makes this chocolate maker very happy. What would we do without our daily dose of CCK? Wishing you success and most of all – happiness.
Feeling is mutual… I do not know what I’d do without your chocolate, especially the raspberry one! LOVE that chocolate 🙂 :).
Way to go, Katie! It sounds like you made the right decision. I’m so glad there is still a lot more Chocolate-Covered Katie in the future! 🙂
Heh, from the moment you mentioned your blog-related future in your older posts/comments, I knew this would be the announcement! Exciting! 😉