One of my favorite parts about meeting new people is hearing their story. We all have a journey that is unique to us – struggles, triumphs and the every day moments in between, and if we are brave enough to share them with others, more often than not, you will find a connection…

The fork in the road

December 19th 2014, was my last day at my first big girl job. A job that I had spent six years pouring my heart, sweat and tears into. I started my career as an admin assistant and through hard work and dedication, by the time I left, there was not a part of the business I didn’t know – I had reached what I felt was my highest potential, given all I could give. The hardest part of reaching this place, is that you are left with two choices, you can decide you are content (be careful this is easily accompanied by complacency) or you allow  your heart  to long for more.

Through a chain of events that only God could align, I was offered a job without having to look – one with great benefits, new challenges and the opportunity to hustle for my pay (a.k.a. commission). As someone who is fiercely loyal,  I did the unthinkable, I leaned into the opportunity and before I  knew it I was at new hire orientation.

The courage challenge

New marriage, new house, new job….life was wonderfully chaotic, it was the change I had been seeking.  But as quickly as this new high came upon me, I found myself crushed under the weight of what came with it. Unbeknownst to me, I had entered into an environment that under the guise of the hustle was manipulation and dishonesty. Working in and among that energy  is toxic, it will jade you, and I was not willing to sacrifice myself.

We can choose courage or we can choose comfort, but we can’t have both.       Brené Brown

It took a lot of self – reflection, guidance, and two Brene Brown books, to accept that there was something larger at work here. Although I only held the position for 6 months, it is the single reason I am in this moment. It gave me a solid “out” of my previous job (something us fiercely loyal people need – justification), and it afforded Jay and I the opportunity to make financial advances that were imperative for what was to come next.

The Time-out

I have spent a good amount of my 29 years operating in the safe zone, following the rules, the least likely person to leave a lucrative career for the uncertainty of entrepreneurship (it is not for everyone).  Yet, with the support of my husband, family, and friends, on May 21st 2015,  I completed an almost unbearable two week notice, and entered into what I refer to as my adult time-out. It was during this time of yoga pants and soul searching that I decided to take my knack for planning and design, my love of family, and unwavering loyalty and dedicate those to myself  and ultimately the clients I would serve – through a business – Amanda Blair by Design.

By design means as a result of a plan; intentionally.

The confirmation

Here is the kicker – just because it was part of the plan, doesn’t mean it didn’t come with sacrifice, heartache, self-doubt, joy – stealing comparisons, and a lot of ugly crying. But it was no coincidence that on the one year anniversary of my last day of work in corporate America, I was coordinating a wedding! What an honor it is to be able to serve those around me by creating beautiful spaces and memories.

Thank you for coming on this journey with me!

{Heather Burris Photography}