This is it. Today is finally here! I've been so busy lately working away at this, and it's time to announce the grand opening of
the Whimsy + Wild shop! Now let me tell you, this has been a long time coming. I've wanted to open up an Etsy shop for years, but I never thought I could and it was always so scary. Thinking of all the business and legal hoops I'd have to jump through and figure out, it was enough to keep me from doing it for YEARS! It's sad, because this could have happened a long time ago, but then again... I'm so thankful it's happening now. I'm ready now (though still
not ready too). I feel like I'm finally figuring out what I want to do and what I want Whimsy + Wild to be. Granted I'm still learning, and I plan on continuing to learn for the rest of my life. That's the joy of being an artist. You never stop learning and improving as long as you never stop practicing.
Growing up I always wanted to be in a creative field. A singer, an actress, an art teacher, a coffee shop owner... and I finally landed on artist. It feels so right. It's so freeing. Don't get me wrong, it's still a lot of work, contrary to what a lot of people might think, but it doesn't usually feel like work because I'm doing what I love. Did you hear that? It feels so good to say. I get to say
I'm doing what I love. Not a lot of people can say that, but I can. And not just because I'm lucky, but because I've made it my mission to only do what I love. I don't want to grow old and look back on a life spent in a job I hated because it was "the right thing to do" in other people's eyes. I want to look back and see happiness and love for my work. I want to feel those things throughout my life because I decided that settling wasn't good enough. I can't settle. I need to do what I love or nothing... and I'm happy to say I'm doing the former.
I want to say thank you to everyone in my life who has supported me. You are all the reason I can
do this. You are the reason I am able to do what I love because you've helped me along the way. I want to thank those who have doubted me and who continue to doubt me. And that is not just pointed at other people, but at myself too, for doubting what I'm capable of at times. It just gives me more motivation to make it happen and to live a life I'm truly happy with. It has been a long and hard road, full of doubt and lots of work, more doubt, and moments of inspiration and clarity. One of my favorite quotes I've come across recently is "Sometimes the people around you won't understand your journey. They don't need to, it's not for them." It's something that really resonated with me because I've definitely received my fair share of doubt from others, people trying to tell me to go to school because it's just
what you're supposed to do. But the more I read those inspiring words, the more I realize and understand that this is my life, I will do what I love to do because that is my only road to happiness. This is my road to success. It may look different than yours, but that doesn't mean it isn't right. For me, this is just the first step of my success, but it feels good. I feel accomplished because I'm doing something and taking control of my life and happiness.
So go ahead and take a look at
my shop. It's really bare right now, but it's growing with each passing day. I could have waited to open shop until I had more to offer, but I like to think that I'm doing the right thing. I can't keep finding excuses for not opening it. I just had to do it! I hope you like what you see and continue to as more and more items are added.
As a thank you for all of your support (and for reading that novel up there, ha!), I've put together a giveaway for all of you! One winner will receive 1 print + 1 notepad of their choice! Enter through the rafflecopter below. Giveaway ends Sunday, March 2 at 11:59pm EST! Open to people worldwide! The winner will be announced and contacted on Monday, March 3.
♡♡♡
a Rafflecopter giveaway
