To take advice from one of my favorite bloggers who recently wrote a piece called “Let’s not pretend it’s always easy,” I wanted to talk a little (err…a lot) about how I was able to leave my corporate day job.

It can seem, on the internets, that lots of bloggers create a side business and then just up and quit their jobs. And maybe some of them do. Maybe some of them have a trust fund or immediate success or a husband paying all the bills, but my guess is that most of them put in a lot of hours before they left the cube for a creative job.

I don’t have a trust fund, immediate success or a husband, I only had a job I didn’t love in the least and a whole lot of motivation to leave.

I started planning to leave about a year ago. In September I put up a giant white board and wrote out eight months of goals for my design business, my shop, blog stats, aerial classes and shows under the heading ESCAPE PLAN. I picked May for my escape because in figuring out how much money I would need to make in order to leave, the increase in revenue month-to-month was a little crazy, but not insane.

I worked toward my goal every day. Whether it was going through song choices for a show, building a new templates, responding to potential clients, creating spreadsheets for class. I was 100 percent focused on where I was headed. I visualized putting in my two weeks and driving out of that parking lot for the last time (yelling with joy) over and over and over.

And a lot of times it was really, really difficult. I was taking on an enormous amount of work and I was afraid that if I stopped moving for a second my dream would be compromised. I spent quite a few nights in a ball on the couch crying my eyes out, completely overwhelmed, while Slayer climbed all over me trying to lick my face. And I had multiple conversations about how I was “falling apart, taking on too much, and everything is a mess” with a good friend who basically told me “shut up, your life is amazing, keep working.” As much as I didn’t want to hear it, it was good advice.

In March I had my yearly review with my boss and unfortunately/fortunately he was well aware of my lack of passion at work. His solution for this was, beginning in June, to have me write news stories for the site (what I did when I first started my job) and work weekends (after putting in 7 years there). This turned out to be the push I needed to leave.

In April and May we (The Weird Sisters Circus) booked nine shows, which meant more rehearsals and routines to build – I literally did not have time to be stuck in an office 40 hours a week anymore.

I tied up all the loose ends, bought a new computer, went to the dentist, worked out a budget. Then last week I told my boss I was leaving my job to run away with the circus. It was exciting and terrifying (hello mortgage!) and a leap I knew I had to take because I didn’t want to wake up in 10 years at the same job knowing I’d been so close to reaching my goal.

All of the long hours were so worth it when on Monday morning I woke up sans alarm and spent the morning eating breakfast on the deck while going through email. Then I was able to run all my errands to pick up stuff for an upcoming show and go to a fitting without having to cram everything in at the very end of my day. My new freedom hasn’t completely hit me yet, but the relief is slowing starting to seep in and so far it feels really good.

Now let’s all cross our fingers that I don’t have to write a post in a year titled “Dragging my ass back to the cube: How I completely and utterly failed at the freelance life.”

My advice to those of you currently reading this from your soul-sucking job and dreaming of a creative life…

SAVE YOUR MONEY All of it. Especially if you’re like me and are SINGLE with a MORTGAGE. Stop buying shoes, stop eating out. Do you want a new dress or do you want to leave your lame job? That’s the question I’ve asked myself on a weekly basis and, frankly, sometimes I bought the damn dress! But most of the time that little reminder was enough for me to hold on to the cash.

MAKE A BUDGET Know where your cash is flowing. Cut down all the bills you can. I canceled my cable to save $15 and changed my phone plan to save $20.

MAKE A PLAN The second I realized my job would be changing and I wasn’t going to stick around I went back to my desk, opened up a file called Escape Plan and wrote: new laptop, health insurance, Photoshop, clean office, dentist appt. What do you need to do in order to leave your job? Don’t leave it until the last minute.

If possible, CREATE MULTIPLE INCOME STREAMS I make money from freelance design, my template shop, teaching aerial and performing. If one of those comes up short one month I have three other places where I can try to make up for it. This not only helps my bank account, but saves me a bit of stress too.

If the WORST CASE SCENARIO is holding you back -mine is losing my house – then imagine it happening, what will you do? Make a plan. I would: get another job, get another roommate, build a million templates for my shop, start selling possessions. It won’t be the end of you world and you will not die from the worst case scenario. If you managed to escape the 9 to 5, then you surely have enough balls and strength to get through a lot of bad shit.

START NOW Like, immediately. There is no reason to spend another day dreaming about what you want to do and not lifting a finger to move yourself in that direction. Stop making excuses and complaining about things you CAN change and start believing in yourself and just take one step forward every day. Seriously…do it.

ALSO…I cannot say thank you enough to those of you who read my blog, bought one of my templates, hired me to design your site or just cheered me on. Each one of you has given me a little leg up on my journey and I’m truly, truly appreciative of your support. I would not have been able to do this without you <3 <3 <3

If you have any questions feel free to comment or email :)

[ day / night ]

This week has been exhausting. Work all day, rehearse all night, and somewhere in there I fit in teaching class and a dentist appointment. I’ve been driving to rehearsal, getting blasted with black light paint and then passing out on one of the big comfy couches in the theater while I wait for our scene.

Our latest show opens tomorrow night – an alien abduction, B movie-style production. We play the alien queen triumvirate and are debuting our new, custom-made apparatus. I’m so excited to share video with you guys – it is so cool! (For you Michigan peeps: It Came from Planet B at the Emerald Theater, 9pm, May 18, June 1 & 2)

This week also culminates with something I’ve been working toward for the past year…I officially quit my corporate day job to (literally) run away with the circus. Just had a meeting with my boss and while he wasn’t stoked to see me go, he was really happy for me. I have a whole post on how I was able to make it happen coming up soon. But for now I’m going to try and make it through the day without crying of happiness at my desk or letting out a maniacal laugh :D

[ Fireflies ]

The past couple days have been kind of a giant bummer. I was supposed to perform at a big show tonight, but yesterday the band decided they didn’t want us doing aerial, so rest of the troupe got to do the show and I got to stay home.

Sometimes people get nervous about girls spinning around in the air above their equipment and since they don’t know us and have never seen us perform, no amount of convincing would work. On top of that I had scheduled a rehearsal, but the troupe needed the practice space as well, so I got in about 10 minutes in the air because they took over. Doesn’t bode well for the seven hour show we have next week.

I don’t really like to complain on here because my life is really good and I know other opportunities will come along, but I also don’t want to pretend that everything is perfect all the time.

I bought myself a deliciously unhealthy lunch, allowed myself to take a nap instead of trying to rehearse alone, and took the piglet for a long walk at dusk.

I’ve been trying to start my days on a positive note, so I’m going all Oprah and writing a list of things I’m grateful for before I get out of bed in the morning.

A few things I’m grateful for right now are…

+ The fact that it’s going to warm up a little tomorrow in time for an outdoor photo shoot. Swinging around in 50 degree weather in only a leotard would not have been fun – low-60s I can tolerate.

+ My sister did the grocery shopping and we are restocked with OJ, eggs, and tortilla chips – pretty much what we survive on.

+ I ordered a new laptop to replace the one I’ve been using for the past five years as part of the escape plan.

+ The flowering trees smelled so good as I walked through my neighborhood.

OK, I feel a little better now :)

The key to killer style appears to be lipstick, sunglasses and a wacky hat

I loved Gala Darling’s post from last night on growing old. I’ve always known I want to be a badass old lady, covered in sequins, feathers and hot pink leopard print. A slight embarrassment to my grandchildren, but they’ll marvel at my bravery to still do and wear whatever I want.

I hope I’m still swinging from my trapeze, but if not, I’ll be on the ground yelling at my students to get their butts in the air…maybe I’ll even have a cane used only to smack on the ground to command attention!

Have you guys thought about who you’ll be at 75?

* Photos from Advanced Style – get your fill of awesome old lady fashion

If you’re to realize your intentions, what you stop doing is just as important as what you start and continue to do. Stopping = the white space. Stopping = room to run free and create from the deepest place of being without restraint or compromise. Stopping = more time for what matters most.

I ran into her post just as I was thinking about the two things I’ve stopped doing in an effort to take pressure off myself, so I thought I’d share.

First, I’ve decided to take sponsorships off my blog starting next month. While I loved getting to know and featuring other bloggers, it was more work than what it was worth to myself or them. I think it’s almost turned into something we’re supposed to do when we hit a certain number of followers to prove our blogs are good enough, but for me, right now, it’s not something worth putting effort into.

I’d rather spend the time toward creating posts to help with blogging and design and I’ve got a little idea brewing to feature some bloggers who I think are doing a fantastic job.

The second thing I’m stopped doing is checking my email every five minutes when my phone vibrates. When I was on vacation I set my email to only update manually and when I got home I decided to leave it that way. I’m so glad I did. I’m no longer distracted all day by phone going off and instead can check it a couple times a day when I have time to focus solely on email.

Both of these things are adding to my plan of simplifying and removing stress from my life.

Have you stopped doing anything lately?

+ Rehearsing a new duo lyra routine. It’s so pretty with lots of spinning – can’t wait to show you guys!

+ Serious lip stain addiction. I always have 4-5 Just Bitten stains in my bag at one time.

+ New skully sweater from Gypsy Warrior

+ New leo (and the palest lady in town)

+ Coming home to a very spazzy Piglet

I spent Saturday night drinking Joan Collins at the local comedy club. Previously, my only experience with live comedy had been at an amateur night while on a super lame date, so I didn’t have high expectations. I felt more hopeful when we showed up and the place was packed. The show ended up being an improve battle with a bunch of different games and audience participation. It was HILARIOUS. By the time the show was over my sides were hurting from laughing so much and we even stayed for the late night show where the performers pretty much drink and do whatever improv they want.

On Sunday Cheryl and I decided to expand our circus abilities by taking an acro class. I, being the smallest of the group, had the terrifying privileged of climbing on top of a six person pyramid, which then crawled forward as I held on for dear life! After class we did a super quick aerial practice. The next morning I woke up with sore everything, which is a rare occurrence, so I know I worked hard.

Feel like I’ve come back from the dead! I was hit with the flu/food poisoning/norovirus/some sort of stomach-destroying, body-crushing sickness after our show on Friday. Sunday as I was stuck in bed dying I check Facebook on my phone and realized at least 10 other performers from the show had some down with the same thing. No fun at all!

Irina traded me Saltines and Vernors for my ticket to go see Cirque…yes, I totally missed out on seeing Quidam…SO disappointed. My sister took care of me, bringing me ice chips and Pedialyte (doesn’t taste great, but it works!) and Slayer stayed glued to my side to the point that he growled when my sister pulled him off the bed to take him outside.

After three days away from my computer, my inboxes are a little scary, but I’m finally back and working through them today. So if you’re expecting a response from me, it’s coming soon.

And also – hello to all of you that stopped by from Elycia‘s blog. Lovely to meet you :) She’s giving away a template from my Etsy shop and you can enter right here!

+ Rehearsing a new duo lyra routine
+ Finally unpacking the rig – we’re using it for the first time tonight!
+ Post-class dinner with Irina – tomato soup, tortellini, chocolate cake
+ My stylist gave me pretty blond and big hair
+ In bed reading next to a snoring Piglet

You can follow me on Instagram @SillyGrrl

To say my life is packed is an understatement. After class most nights and being away from my phone for about two hours I come back to multiple emails, multiple texts and multiple requests.

I’m so lucky to have this wave of clients and shows, but it’s a lot to work on all at once, so I’m been doing a few things every week to keep myself and my mind from getting overwhelmed.

1 // Take time to turn off, unplug and read every night. I just finished The Girl Who Played With Fire.

2 // No answering emails after 7pm or during the weekend unless it’s an emergency…still struggle to adhere to this one, but it’s a huge stress reliever. I’d even start to turn off my phone some nights ::gasp!::

3 // Plan one night off during the week to do nothing

4 // Prioritize my to-do list and don’t stress if a few small things don’t get done

5 // Get my ass in bed by midnight – this is a big help when juggling so many things!

All of these really point to not working after my 9to5 so my mind can disconnect and recharge for my to-do list for the next day.

Do you have any rules for yourself or things you do/don’t do to keep from getting overwhelmed and stressed?

Psst! Did you enter to win a gift certificate to Sugar + Bean Crochet? Hop to it >>>

Photo via WeHeartIt

Eating massive amounts of cheesy potatoes and tofu chocolate peanut butter pie

 Mom making us big kids popcorn and hot toddies + secret undies from Santa

Loud, silly photo sessions with my cousins

Christmas poppers and goofy hats + my brother laughing so hard he spit water all over the table at Christmas dinner

Getting a little JamBox and a big Hello Kitty for Christmas

Waking up to breakfast in bed + finishing two site designs

Christmas cartoons + floors completely covered in paper

Meeting Pants’ parents at the casino where everyone lost money except me…the non-gambler + drinking too much & downing Taco Bell…a bad combo

Watching Pants get his hair cut at a cool little ’50s style barber shop +  seeing The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (SO GOOD) & getting started on The Girl Who Played With Fire + walking the piglet through big, wet snowflakes