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???”
It is so nice to hear that after having doubts and fears, you decided to follow your passion…and from a selfish point of view, I’m so happy you are going to keep blogging! I have been reading your blog for a while, and it has become one of my go-to sources for healthy treats and single serving recipes.
You are also one of my main inspirations for finally starting my own food blog…even though I’m still very new at it, I already find the whole experience very fulfilling in a different way than my regular “job”!
As a reader, I can really tell how much you love blogging. Some blogs have too many posts that feel like the person is posting just for the money. Especially when they start posting 3+ times a day. I very much prefer quality over quantity and you have the perfect mix of both.
Even when I started posting twice a day when I was in NYC, I knew it was too much for me! I want blogging to be something I want to do, not something I have to do!
At least you had something to say! I hate it when a blog has too many posts that could be described as “filler.” And so far, I haven’t seen any from you 🙂
I’ve been reading your blog for almost two years and have totally maintained my lurker-status until now, but I HAD to break my lurker-silence to congratulate you, lovely! You should be so incredibly proud & excited that you’re following your heart, and we all support you 100%! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!
Awwwwwwww Mary, this put a gigantic smile on my face!
Congrats Katie.
You’re lucky to be in a position to follow your passion, and I admire your courage!
I’ve been reading your blog for quite a while now. I would really miss you!
Good luck to you.
I am so glad you made the decision you did. I was getting really worried when I started reading your post. Oh my gosh!
i’ve been reading your blog for about two years now! We all love you! I’ve so excited for your FUTURE! 😀
You are so brave and courageous, Katie! I wish I had your courage when I was in college/post college. I ended up changing majors from one I loved to one that I would “make money” in, and I spent 8 miserable years doing a job I hated!! I wish I had stayed true to my passion because I would have been so much happier and so much more successful if I had. I think you’re making a very wise decision. I hope it works out beautifully for you!!
I think it’s fantastic that you’re doing what you WANT to do, instead of settling for something that won’t give you the fulfillment that this blog does.
i think you will definitely make a great career out of this passion. Its ooozes from you! Continue to pursue with all your heart friend.
🙂
OM OGMOGMOGGMOGGM IM SO SOSOOSOSOSOSSOO HAPPY for you! honestly, ive been having a crappy day and this gave me the biggest smile- im SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!
Awww no, don’t have a crappy day :(. You are too sweet to have a crappy day!!!!!! Tell the crappiness to go away!!! 😉