The day I picked up my Funky Junk business cards, it was a little surreal.
I held them in my hands, kept flipping them over, then over and over again. And then I giggled…
For 20 years, I stayed at a job (I created) I didn’t love any longer. I had business cards from that business too, but never gave them out.
I also didn’t letter my vehicle with my logo.
I didn’t have a website.
I never desired to be published anywhere.
And I actually hid when someone wanted me to do a job for them.
It was a real business! What gives?!
Funky Junk was really just my hobby. You know… the thing to go to in order to enjoy life after work.
But once I held the cards in my hand, it helped confirm a big important thing.
I gave myself permission to completely enjoy my life.
Even while working.
I made a decision. I mentally let go of a life I no longer loved.
And once I did, the floodgates opened. Not only did I finally get in a sign trade magazine, it was for home decorating reasons!
How ironic is that? 🙂
I wrote a blog post about my last day at the day job, titled My Last Truck. I’ve swapped out my plastic toolbox for a reclaimed wood one instead! And that smile on my face is rather telling I think.
It’s easy for me to sit here and say do what makes you happy. It truly is deeper than that.
But in a nutshell, it’s a choice.
You have to give yourself permission to be the person you need to be, whether it be in work or play. Then start implementing strategies to make it happen. Ask me how I know.
So what does this have to do with decorating?
Kinda everything.
Some work at building their hobby. Why not build a career out of that hobby?
What’s that? You can’t? Really… well, is there anything much lower than having to scrape curbside finds off the side of the road in order to decorate your home?
Right.
Here is my gift to you for today…. How to build a dream job while you work a day job.
Start implementing some of those tips, and you’ll start filling up your own dream box with just the right supplies. Starting today.
Today’s challenge…
Give 30 minutes towards something you love to do, and would do for free.
What is that thing? Care to share?
Visit what dream box building is all about HERE
Visit all dream box building updates HERE
Thanks, my friend, I needed to hear that. A change is going to come, and soon. My dream is to retire this year, hook my little camper to the truck, grab my computer and camera gear and travel around the country, seeing all the sights I’ve been wanting to see for a long time. It’s time I truly live for me and not some employer!
One Love
Najja! That’s also on my own bucket list! When my boy has left the building, I want to travel with that big ‘ol camera and see what I haven’t seen yet! I’ve already started. I hope you have too, even locally. You can do that stuff even just an hour away too!
Today I will spend time thrifting! I’m back in Toronto as hubby attends a conference. So my free time will be work related as I search for treasures. Happiness is a choice!
Heather, I wish I could join you, because that sounds like the happiest work on earth! Kiss the CN tower for me please? haha How I’d love to be there for a weekend whenever I desire!
Thank you so much for this today. Not sure if you’re anything like me, but I have a tendency to postpone happiness. Instead of doing what makes me happy today, I think there will be time for it somewhere in the future. I’m just getting that what makes me happy will affect everyone I love, hence the old saying, if Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. So true. Love your blog. Hugs.
Oh Carol, I procrastinate with the best of them! But no more. Now I give myself permission to enjoy so much more. I’m going to be writing about that too in this series.
We aren’t promised a tomorrow. Do it now if you can.
You are truly an inspiration Donna. My transformation of GadgetSponge becoming “my job” is getting closer to coming full circle. Enjoying the ride!
Brian, I already thought you were there. How’s that for confirmation that you’re doing everything right? 🙂 It WILL happen. Because it’s what you want. Go go go!
Thanks so much Donna. I can see the finish line.
You just wait! Your ‘pretend identity’ becoming the real thing?! I’ll never stop smiling… I mean, who names a business FUNKY JUNK?! HAHA
Oh Donna
I am just blown away by this post.
I am suffocating in my paid job and am working incredibly hard to make my passion (hobby) become life.
Each day I will wait with great anticipation for your Dream Box Building posts. All 31 of them 🙂
<3
Pia
Aw Pia, I know exactly how you feel. Exactly. It’s painful. I pray an amazing opportunity knocks for you so you can make that leap soon!
Wow! Thank you. I want to start living my dream now..
It’s just an arm’s stretch away Marcia. Just pick up what you like doing. That’s all it takes to start!
I’m on the road to the life I want to live. It’s been a struggle, but I’m almost there. The last roadblock is selling the home I’m in. It’s on the market as I type this. My goals with God’s help are to volunteer for the Humane Society, write (even if I never get published), and to create a new garden in my new home in my new state. You are awesome for your encouragement to all of us.
Laura, you WILL get published. Because you’ll be doing everything in your power to make it happen.
Those that don’t give up do succeed. That’s the key.
Don’t fall prey to giving up. Find a way. Can’t wait to read what you write and hear about your new garden. 🙂
Someday…maybe today? 30 minutes certainly does sound do-able doesn’t it? Thanks for the kick in the pants, doll. I will be working towards my dream of decorating/ staging and thrifting/ DIYing solutions for clients/ friendas and family as I truly believe a “gathered” home is one that shows love expressed over time not bought out of a box.
Have a blast Dharma! Sounds like that’s right up my own alley!
I would do exactly what you are doing…..creating.
Love hearing that Cherie! Let’s turn that into a I WILL. Lemme know how it goes… I have expectations now! haha
thanks for the inspiration.
i am doing what i love, some days i love it more than others, but i never have a ‘bad’ day at work.
thanks again!
Congratulations on your new dream job! You are so good at your “hobby” and I know you will be great at your new “job.”
Aww.. thanks Jayne! The line is VERY fuzzy between work and play these days… I think they just kinda melted into one. I sit here and giggle because I don’t even know what to do with that!
Fantastic. I went back and reread your “building your dream job” post, and am renewed in my purpose and excitement. Blogging, designing, writing, are my passions, and I need to focus on them. 🙂
Wild applause from the peanut gallery here! I will be partying with you when YOU make the leap! When. WHEN. I’m waiting… 🙂
Greetings Donna,
As a matter of fact, I did take a nice trip to the Smoky Mountains a few months ago, with my camper. It was a beautiful camping trip, which lasted a week. That was my first time to the Smokies, so it was truly an adventure. I took lots of pictures, too, being that photography is my favorite hobby, for lack of a better word. I often sit down and look at them, to sort of relive the moments there. By the way, I’m still shooting film – just can’t take the leap with digital. Anyway, I’m constantly thinking and dreaming of the big trip around the country this coming Spring. I love watching videos on YouTube of living in RV’s, even though I don’t have one. The camper is just as good, maybe even better. In either case, I love my little camper.
Thanks for the reply. Keep up the good work and do live your dreams of traveling.
Peace and blessings
I love, love, love what you have had to say! Ditto! I was very unhappy with my life a few years back, so I said to myself “what do I enjoy doing on a personal level in my life the most ” my first and only answer was Interior Design”. I went back to school got my degree in it, I have never been happier and I have never looked back, I love the road that I am on, and life is new and exciting. Thanx so much for your post. ((HUGS)) Jo
Joanne, YOU inspire ME! That is such an amazingly brave thing to do! Kudos!
Hey Donna I agree about doing what you love. we are all born with gifts and when we can acknowledge what those gifts are and what truly gives us passion in life then we have to follow those passions and turn them into dreams.After seven years of working in jobs I was miserable at I start a new job tomorrow fulfilling my dreams and passions and that is to become a new Pastry Chef at one of California’s largest casino. the excitement within me is so hard to contain. Good luck on your new venture also.follow your passions.Susie
Wow Susie! I’m so thrilled for you! You are going to ROCK it!!
Oh Donna you are so right! I adore picking up curbside furniture or cheap cheap furniture at the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store and then refinishing it. My way. Which may not mean the piece will still function as it once did. I have started to put my pieces in a local upscale resale shop and guess what – they have all sold. I would love to have my own pop up store next year (when I retire) and sell the pieces myself. I try to steal away into my garage or basement for 30 minutes everyday to do at least a little work on a project. For me, those 30 minutes are sooo relaxing and therapeutic for my soul. Its like I retreat into my own world and enjoy! Thanks for being an inspiration and I love reading your blog.
My two loves (next to God and family) are decorating my home and writing. I come alive when I’ve written just the write phrase or turn of the word. I come alive when I tweak something in my home to make it work for how we live. I discovered you a few years ago and check out what’s new from time to time. I enjoy your blog and reading about your projects! #write31days
Oh Donna, hmm that’s a song…anyway I have hit a roadblock and am having a really hard time getting around, over or through the stupid thing is I’m not even sure what it is! There are so many electronic glitches and negativity from family, I feel like I went to sleep one night knowing exactly what I was doing and woke up without a clue. My point is that I knew that doing what I love wasn’t going to be easy but, I had a 5 year plan and I’m almost at the end of my 3rd year on Etsy and it’s not looking good. My point is that this blog has hit a rewind button somewhere inside me and I’m going to do some tweaking of my Dream Box! Thank you for the inspiration!
All the best,
Linda
Donna – you are such an inspiration! I actually do love my day job but I don’t like the commute. And everytime I see a EMS truck (like the picture of your last job) I smile because you are courageous enough to do what you love!
Blessings to you and your son!
Oh that’s so funny! Not only am I associated with pallets, but now it’s the back end of a firetruck but with a good message! Life never fails to surprise me in the best of ways… haha Glad you love your job!
Boy do you have the right idea! I think thrifting is one of my favorite things to do. Goodwill shopping to find that one treasure that thrills me to my soul. Spending time with my children and making the most of my time with them. I also needed your words just to give me that extra boost to leave my dead end job. You will never know what you have given me today. The inspiring words and the IDEAS have been flowing ever since I found your site! I too am a born designer with a degree I have never used just because I needed to make a solid living. Taking the risk and doing what I LOVE is going to be a must from now on. THANK YOU, THANK YOU AND THANK YOU AGAIN for all you do…. much love