I never intended to become a professional blogger. I started blogging as a hobby, while I was in grad school, because I wanted to connect with other people who had small budgets and big dreams for their homes. I've always loved making and creating, and it was just so thrilling to be able to chat with others DIYers. To my surprise, Dans le Townhouse grew and by the time the blog became Dans le Lakehouse, I was making a nice little income. I filmed videos with Canadian Tire, saw my house pop up on sites like Elle Decor and Better Homes & Gardens, and even parlayed the blog into some exciting freelance work for various Canadian retailers. Behind the scenes, even crazier opportunities presented themselves - it has been a wild ride!
But secretly, I was applying to other jobs.
My job search is such a long story - with so many crushing disappointments - but I don't know if it's really all that uncommon. Lots of my friends, with various backgrounds/education, have struggled to find work. I was lucky I had a back-up plan! I decided to start growing the blog more purposefully (wishing I had laid the proper groundwork to run the blog like a business when I started) and things were chugging along. Looking back, I'm especially grateful that I had a flexible job like blogging to fall back on because when some terrible things happened in my family, I was able to be there.
But I pined for a different kind of job.
Recently I took another stab at looking for a job but I took a wildly different approach with my job applications. I threw out every single piece of advice I'd been given over the years (and I had been given a lot) and just wrote my cover letters from the heart, keeping them casual and upbeat.
Well, guess what? I landed interviews for every job I applied to and was offered two competing offers within days of one another, for two excellent jobs broadly (sorta, kinda) in my field - if I can even say that I have "a field" (I have a PhD in Feminist and Gender Studies and an HBA and MA in Philosophy).
I chose the one with flexible hours and a chance for adventure. Hubby works a really weird work shift and a 9-5 job would mean I'd rarely see him, so I pounced at the opportunity to work a job that has similarly odd hours. I always worry about sharing too much on the blog, which is why I've kept details like Hubby's first name, our last name, his place of work, our location, etc., private. I am probably overly cautious, but I hesitate to share too much about new job too, although I will say it's in education. I am currently training and I start in earnest very soon. There is a lot to learn and that's why I haven't been posting here with the same frequency as usual. I'm cramming, haha!
But I'm not leaving blogland!
The best thing about my new job is that I can keep blogging. In fact, my new boss has encouraged it, which is amazing because Hubby and I have so many great projects lined up - plus I'm collaborating with some really great brands I've been wanting to work with for years. With my focus shifted to my new job and new research, I'm actually feeling so much more inspired these days. I think my brain needed a little bit of a challenge - and probably a change of scenery - to get those creative juices flowing again. Ideas for posts and projects are just pouring out of me right now.
I wanted to share my news to explain my absence but also because I wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who reads Dans le Lakehouse. I never shared my employment struggles because I try not to let my problems seep into the blog. There is an abundance of negativity in the world so the criteria for the blogs I read is simple: I like to be entertained, uplifted - and if I can learn something, that's a bonus! I don't want to be mired in someone else's crazy drama, so I try not to foist mine on you. But when I was feeling down, your kind comments and emails definitely propelled me forward, made me smile, and made me appreciate this job so much more.
So I wanted to say thank you. So much. I think this year will be our best year yet!
P.S. The photos are from my home office makeover - if you missed it (and our DIY walnut waterfall desk) check out the before and after tour here.
