Go With Your Gut

Go With Your Gut

(Engaged)

(Married- twice for good luck)

(Honeymoon)

(One Year Wedding Anniversary)

(Pregnancy)

(New Mom)

(Blogger)

The pictures above do a quick recap of the path I’ve been following the last four years. I thought I’d take a little visit down memory lane to explain what exactly led me to the blogging world. A deeper look, if you will, into how I got to the point where its normal to stand in your closet, wearing a gown, while drinking champagne on a Tuesday morning?!? Gotta stand out somehow!

So lets start by rewinding a few years back. I was working full time as an RN at a surgery center downtown. Good gig for an RN since there was no nights and limited weekends. I LOVED my co-workers so that made most days go by fast. Then came along Doc Horn. We worked together for a few years at the surgery center and were always good friends. Michael has such an outgoing personality and is such a genuinely nice guy that its hard not to love spending time around someone like that. BAM- engaged. Once we were married I thought it would be best for me to look for a job elsewhere (living together and working together is a lot of togetherness lol). I found another surgery center just across the street that was looking for agency nurses and loved everyone there as well. I stayed and worked almost up until the week I went into the hospital to have Grey.

Once little man was here I had my fair share of medical complications going on so I was not able to return to work. Right around when Greyson was 6 or 7 months I felt a small void. I had a great husband, a beautiful baby and my health was back on track but there was something missing. I missed the structure of a job. I missed that feeling of “ahh I have so much to do!”(weird, I know.) Don’t get me wrong. Little man was keeping me plenty busy but I wanted something that had a little more adult interaction haha. Not that I don’t love to listen to baby shark on repeat all day. Insert blogging. I already am an open book, with most things, so I thought I might as well write it down and see what it could turn into.

Like I’ve stated before I thought I would just casually snap a few pics and become famous. Nope. Big negative. Still have heard nothing from Ellen’s people. From the experience thus far I have a huge admiration for the people who have been doing this for years. Not only is there almost an art form to getting the pictures/content but it is highly competitive in the sense that you have to stand out from everyone else trying to blog. What makes yours different? Why do people want to read your thoughts? Your experiences? Luckily, I have a super cute side kick, Greyson, that helps with this. I think it also shows, at least I hope, how open I am in sharing my life.

When I started I was actually REALLY scared of what people would think or that it would be an epic fail. Its slightly a punch to the gut when you think you are posting a cute pic or good content and it gets 20 likes. I also get really embarrassed trying to take pictures in public and people stare or point. I GET IT. I don’t show up at your office and point at you do I? However, I knew in my gut that I wanted to do this. I liked writing. I liked sharing new products or travels. I liked taking the pictures. So I went with my gut and kept going.

I’m still new. Very new. Most days I have no clue what I’m doing. But I’ve met some AMAZING fellow Chicago bloggers that are willing to share their knowledge and it is making all the difference. If you don’t already follow RedSolesAndRedWine… you need to. Jen has been a great brain to pick when it comes to the blogging world. Lady knows her stuff and is damn (sorry mom) good at it! With that guidance and friendship I have also been fortunate enough to attend New York Fashion Week, a blogging DREAM! Just over here faking it till I make it!

In a short time there were a lot of big changes- RN, wife, mom, blogger. All though being a mom to my little guy is always first priority, blogging has truly become a passion. So, for the love of god, tell your friends, neighbors, cousins and in-laws to follow along. Going to the dentist? Drop my name. Tell them to follow. Share the information with the whole office. Shout it loud and shout it proud. =) I’m kidding, kinda.

Sometimes you just have to go with what feels right and what makes you happy. I’m glad I listened to my gut and pursued this blogging dream of mine. It fills that void and keeps me on my toes. However, more importantly, its fun! I’m just getting started in this online world so stay tuned!