Gulp…and GO!
As I look back on 2024, I can’t help but wonder where the time has gone! Weeks left and so much I have yet to accomplish! It has been a big year with major changes. I went from three rentals, down to one. My primary residence has changed. And I am embarking on new adventures! Terrified of all the unknowns that lie ahead, yet excited at the same time! Isn’t that how it should be?
To say I am not comfortable with using technology is putting it so very mildly but as much as I struggle, I must learn to love the things that can ultimatey help me, right? Right? I have found myself writing and rewriting. Trying to create the perfect blog post in my mind and on paper. What IS the perfect blog post? What does that even mean? And so, I am starting over with a less stressful ideal. I am….just going to write to see where it takes me. And yes! I will 100% cringe, reading this later but I know that reading this much much later will only show me how far I have come and maybe give permission to others to start exactly where you are as well! So where am I? Let’s back up a bit.
I was (am) a stay at home mom. I have three wonderful kids who are all officially (just barely) grown. The youngest is a senior in high school. Earlier this year, I moved to a beautiful bright sunny space that feels so good to my soul. I once had very predictable life. I was comfortable. Too comfortable. I never did anything daring or risky and for my first time “off the bench” I decided to buy a place to rent out to others. That turned into two, then three. Nisswa being my third. It was A LOT. But man, was it exciting! I learned so much too! As life changes became more evident, my partner and I decided to sell off two places, keeping Nisswa, as that one still allowed me to live my dream - but didn’t destroy my energy bank. Now that I have just the one place, and some questions are beginning to have some answers, I am able to concentrate on this place as it really does give me so much joy and a sense of great purpose! It is a creative outlet, while teaching me skills I need as I reenter the work force. Gulp. I don’t ‘gulp’ from nerves from being gone for so long - as in I don’t want to work. I gulp because I am not sure where to begin. I am almost 54 years old and barely touched a computer so who the hell would hire me? But….I am almost 54 years old and very much know who the hell I am and what the hell I can bring to the table! Perpective baby! I have learned so much from running three places and having a website and managing finances and countless other things. To me, I just do what I do because I like it! Turns out, I have been learning customer service, hospitality, small business, house cleaning, spreadsheets and quicken (in progress) and more! I’ve got this! right? Right?
As I look back, I am incredibly grateful. All three places were successful but it was more than I could manage on my own and the market was still within the right time to sell. It wasn’t my ideal but...sometimes you have to step back to move forward. Now I understand, that is totally ok! I now have the energy and time to make changes and add the special touches I choose for each guest (which will be easier once I live closer. All in good time). This past summer was really busy and became too much for some, so I ended up doing most of everything on my own which really does only help me create even better systems. As they say, it isn’t the dream that is the problem, it is usually the system. I have all winter (as it is a bit lighter) to revise, refresh, and reenter yet another summer, ready to create the best space and experience for my guests!
I love what I do! I love this house, the location, the feel! I love sharing it with others! I love the feedback, the smiles, the joy! It is why I keep going. It isn’t always easy but it is worth it! And isn’t that a lot like life as well? Thank you for your time and kindness as I navigate a new chapter - bravely and boldly - with little experience in blogging but much experience in expressing and sharing my joy! I look forward to beginning again! And I will write again soon. Perhaps more polished than this. Maybe not. Both ok! Build the life you wish to live! Make it happen and share in your own joy if you don’t have anyone else because…it matters! You matter. Take a major step (a freefall, if you will) in reclaiming your life, your dreams, your purpose, your joy! All of it! It is all there for a reason! Waiting. For you! I know what feels right. I have trust. I have belief. I have confidence. I will never be more ready than I am right now! Right. Now. Gulp…and Go!
Your terrified but very grateful host,
Shannon