Thank you so much for the sweet comment! Everyone’s circumstances are different so I think it’s important to be realistic and trust your gut instincts 🙂

Thank you so much Mary! I feel a lot better now that I’ve shared everything in the open. Really appreciate your support and the kind words!

Thank you so much Kristine! xo

Hi Christine,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your story with me. It sounds like we’ve been through very similar journeys!

I 100% agree with what you said. I really struggled with the negative stereotypes that come along with quitting a full time job. More than ever I’ve noticed young women like myself defying societal norms when it comes to their careers– whether it’s going freelance, starting their own business, creating a new role for themselves that didn’t exist within a company or blogging full-time. It’s actually quite inspiring and it look me a while to get over my fear of what people would think about me for deciding to pump the brakes on my current career path.

I’m happy to hear you are doing well and that your leap of faith took you in such a positive direction! I couldn’t be more glad that I took mine and would encourage everyone who is in unhappy with an aspect of their life to not be afraid to make a change. xo

Aw thank you Shannon! I wish I could hug YOU! I’ve found that making close new friendships and retaining old ones has gotten harder and harder every year out of school. It’s so true that losing a good friend can be incredibly painful just like a breakup. I’d like to do a post on friendship at some point discussing what I’ve learned, but the best advice I can give is to not beat yourself up over the loss of a friend. Take the situation as a learning experience and apply it to better the positive relationships that do you have.

You two are truly blessed and I am proud that Nick has you in his life. You both have grown up through this blog and should be admired for the hard work you both have put into it. We know the countless hours, investments, dedication, education and behind the scenes that it has taken for years to grow your brand together. I truly am thrilled for the life you live in NYC and wish you only the best with Nick. Everything will come in time, when its right for you both and not a minute too soon. ( And the crazy cleaning vandalism is a story that my grandchildren some day will just shake their heads at!!) Continued success and much happiness. You both are loved and appreciated!

whilst reading this post, I found myself nodding along. I 100% understand your thoughts and where you are coming from.

2016 was very similar for me – I was in my first full-time job since mid-2015, and hated it. Like you, I dreaded going to work every day and there were many tears involved, as well. The worst part? I at first felt like I had to sit this one out, because other people (older generations) were telling me that everyone has to stick it up at some point and it will surely be better some time in the future… They didn’t understand how it was geniunely keeping me up at night. It took me many tears, bad moods, days I didn’t want to get out of bed until I was at a stage where I (and my other half) didn’t recognize myself anymore. The moment, when you realize, you have become someone you never wanted to be, was really an eye-opener for me. From then on, I decided that I needed to change something.

After a couple of weeks, I found something that made my heart pound again just by reading the job search description. I knew that this was it. And I took the leap. Looking back, it was my best decision of the year. I can now geniuniely say that I like going to work. No tears, no stomach aches. But many happy thoughts.

When I was in my old job, I really questioned, if I was just overreacting. After a couple of weeks in my new job, I realized how bad the work environment in my old job really was and how working full-time can actually feel like. Ever since, anyone who is unhappy with their job, I say: quit. It’s not worth your time, emotions or your life.

In the same week I quit my job and signed my new job, I actually also signed the contract for my new apartment and my boyfriend and I moved together in the summer. Similar like you, we’ve been dating for almost 7 years – and we get the engagement questions regularly, as well. But we’re going the same path and while it is in the future, there are some things we want to do before we take that step.

The Summer of 16 was a game changer for me and it turned my year around. Now, I could not be happier – in my new job, living together with my boyfriend or my life in general.

This is getting really long, but I’m writing this to let you know: you are not alone. I think our generation struggles with norms how we “should be” or what we “should do”. My learnings from 2016: do what makes *you* happy. We’re worth it.

I look forward to continue reading and seeing from you, Katie!

All the best for a great 2017!