Hey ya'll! Today's post is going to talk about what it's like leaving my 9-5, and will hype up my upcoming travels!
A RESUME IN PROGRESS
Since three days after graduating college in May 2015, I've been working full-time in the events and sponsorship marketing space. I have gone to some great events and worked with some amazing clients. My list of experiences includes the Super Bowl 🏈, World Series ⚾️ , many many concerts 🎶 , New York Comic Con 👽, and a LOT of college sports. Here we are three years later, and I have given my notice! May 31 brings a new chapter of my life: unemployment..or rather, self-employment! At least until I start job searching in Seattle (more on this later) in the fall...pending me not being a millionaire from Liv's Leaves by then. ☺️😉
I have enjoyed my experiences working a definitely non-garden-variety 9 to 5. The events industry is never boring, and there are always new challenges to tackle. My job has been very exciting and fulfilling, but I have reached a point where I am no longer satisfied selling someone else's products or brand. I have decided that my brand/thoughts/products are more worth my time and effort than that nice bi-monthly paycheck and paid time off. I may not know exactly where I'm going, but I am going to take this summer to build my brand, network, following, and business. I have literally never been more excited for summer! Also - did I mention I'll be spending my summer at home in MONTANA!?!?! I. Can't. Even. The hiking and fishing content is going to be next level. ⛰ ⛰
FIRING UP TO GIVE NOTICE
The amount of podcasts I consume is ridiculous - a three hour round trip commute will do that to a person - but there have been some recurring themes throughout any kind of podcast about success or business or happiness that I've come to live by.
One: If you are miserable in your life situation, you DO have the power to change it. Quit the terrible job. There are less-terrible jobs out there. Or get out of the toxic relationship. There are over 7 billion people on the planet - you will find someone new. Or better yet - work on your relationship with yourself before you jump into something new 👏👏 Or your relationship with your family is strained? Work on your communication skills and/or seek professional assistance. I think that we get so used to being unhappy or even miserable that we just accept our circumstances as 'this is the way things are.' Well that is WRONG! Things are the way they are because of your ACTIONS - or non-actions. Lack of a positive outlook also doesn't help..and I see so so many negative people out in the world. NEWSFLASH: being an ass is not going to bring you inner happiness. 🧘♀️ The vast majority of us have the power to change things right in our own hands but we're too busy being jealous/worrying about/comparing ourselves to others to realize it.
Two: Put in the damn work. I've got goals, I've got ambition. But I need to do both some soul-searching and general research into the areas that I want to succeed in, the industries and causes that I care about, and where I see myself in the long run. I've got many many many many lists (I like lists) 📓 detailing my business plans, but none of those things are going to happen overnight. I need preparation, and then I need execution! This shit is not going to figure itself out, and I am consistently reminding myself - you've been in business for less than two months. Calm down. 👍 👌
VACATIONNN
Speaking of calming down...I'm going on a big trip a few days after my last day of employment. I'm planning on making a highlight video of my two main destinations: Edinburgh, Scotland and Venice, Italy. ✈️ ✈️ ✈️
This is actually my second time visiting both cities! 💁🏻♀️ I went to Venice with my mom in Feb 2017, and I visited friends at the University of Edinburgh this past Thanksgiving. I'm excited to explore both places deeper - and I'm more excited to have my favorite foods. My breakfasts in Scotland WILL include haggis every morn', and my lunches in Venice WILL include whitebait (fried sardines) and obviously wine at the top of every hour.
I'll be traveling with a friend I've gone on several trips with - to name a couple:Cuba 💃🏻 , Chicago 🍕, Montreal ❄️ - and now in Venice we'll actually be staying with a friend of his who is A VENETIAN!?!? I'll be cruising through the city with a damn local. 🚣♀️ 🚣 🚣♂️ If that's not the real Venice experience then... 🙆🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️ PS I'm not coming back lol no really. No. Really. 🤗
CROSSROADS VIBES
So once I make my way back across the ole puddle - I will celebrate my sister's high school graduation (YAYYYY) and then my sister, my mom, and I will roadtrip our two vehicles to Montana! This is my fourth time driving from NY to MT...and the first time I'll be doing the brunt of the driving. We are going to hit some sick stops along the way - Niagara Falls (the Canada side cuz it's better), Chicago, Mt. Rushmore (never been) - and I love traveling with my mom and sister so I know it's going to be an awesome week.
MOUNTAIN WOMAN MODE
Then - arrival in Montana means getting down to business...and by business I mean HIKING 🏃🏽♀️ and FISHING 🎣. I am absolutely going to rock the hell out of this summer. I'm going to be in the best shape of my life (mountain climbing booties are the best bootieS 🍑) and I want to up my level of skill in fishing. I grew up fishing but I always had my dad around..I want to be a badass fisherlady slaying out there in my kayak on the lake! 🚣♀️ 🎣 💪🏼
I also made a sick spread in my bullet journal (picture below) of all the Glacier National Park hikes I want to do, as well as some Kootenai National Forest hikes, which is closer to my literal cabin in the woods that I'll be living in 🏕⛰ actually the sis and I will be sleeping in a 'bunkroom'...aka a room attached to the barn with bunkbeds in it and nothing else. So let's get real about living in the wilderness 😂😂 But like I live for that shit. So pumped. Just wait for the pictures 🙌🏼🙌🏼😍😍🏕⛰
Beyond summer...we'll just have to wait and see 😉🤫🤭 In the meantime I can't wait to be traveling Scotland and Italy, and then Montana, soaking up that fresh mountain air and sunshine all July an August. It's going to be amazingggg. Anyone who wants to visit can come stay in our bunkhouse - there are two more beds available. 😹😹
Love,
Liv
