Issue 3 of CraftSanity Magazine is now available.
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To Emotional Exits, New Beginnings, And The Belief That Anything Is Possible
After more than 11 years as a staff writer for The Grand Rapids Press, I quit my day job.
So this is it. I’m a free agent. A freelance writer. A podcaster. An independent, self-employed woman. From here on out I can’t blame The Man for holding me back or squashing my dreams. Now I’m The Man and it’s all up to me.
I learned today that I’m not very good at this quitting thing because I once again brought work home to finish. I mean who does that on her last day? That would be me. So even when I quit, I don’t quit. At least not really. I’m very happy to report that I will still be writing my weekly art and craft column for The Grand Rapids Press and writing features here and there. I’m interested in magazine writing and book writing and documentary making, too, so we’ll see what happens next.
That final walk down the hall as an official newspaper staffer was tough. After I picked up my heavy bags (I rarely carry just one.) and a lovely bouquet of sunflowers from my co-workers, I suddenly felt a flood of emotion coming on. I knew I couldn’t say goodbye to the group without sobbing, so I just left as fast as I could. I barely made it out of the newsroom before the tears came. (The movie version will have to end with an eloquent speech followed by an impromptu dance party.)
When I got to the car where Jeff was waiting with the kids, I knew my parachute had opened.
“Congratulations, Mommy!” cheered the two smiling girls I’ve missed so much these last few years.
“Welcome to the rest of your life,” Jeff added.
Posted: July 3rd, 2009 under News, Uncategorized.
Comments: 62
Comments
Comment from betz White
Time: July 3, 2009, 7:51 am
Congratulations! :)
Comment from Michele at A House Called Nut
Time: July 3, 2009, 7:52 am
Good luck, Jennifer! And congratulations! So looking forward to exciting next steps.
Comment from Phyllis in Sonoma
Time: July 3, 2009, 8:01 am
Congratulations, I’m sure those last steps weren’t easy.
Thank you for your podcasts. I just started listening and I’m slowly listening to all of them and I look forward to future podcasts. I’ll see you on Twitter (Phyl2522), too.
Comment from Bonney
Time: July 3, 2009, 8:03 am
Good Luck! Enjoy your new adventure!
Comment from Beth
Time: July 3, 2009, 8:13 am
[sniff, sniff] I know that was painful. Good luck and keep up your momentum. You’ll do find if you remember what you love to do and do it. :)
Comment from susan b anderson
Time: July 3, 2009, 8:14 am
Jennifer!! I got tears. You rock, completely!!!!
susan b anderson
Comment from ~drew emborsky~
Time: July 3, 2009, 8:37 am
Congrats Jennifer!! :)
Comment from Melissa H
Time: July 3, 2009, 8:44 am
Hooray and congrats! I just went to part time yesterday after 11 years at my workplace and it feels really weird. I can’t imagine how much weirder it would feel to quit altogether. Way to go making this leap!
Comment from Sarah
Time: July 3, 2009, 8:46 am
Congratulations and good luck!
Comment from Genevieve Gail
Time: July 3, 2009, 8:55 am
Congratulations! That is awesome and took a lot of guts! Best of luck, you will do great!!!
Comment from Allegra
Time: July 3, 2009, 9:22 am
Congratulations Jennifer! You are the envy of many many people! Best of luck and I look forward to all of your future endeavors!
Comment from Jenny(thepolkadotpixie)
Time: July 3, 2009, 10:00 am
Way to go Jennifer! I am a huge fan of your awesome podcast, and I have no doubt that you will be beyond successful in your new endeavors. Just keep those wicked cool podcasts and blog posts coming!!!
Comment from Sarah
Time: July 3, 2009, 10:19 am
Congratulations! I became (involuntarily at the time, due to budget cuts) freelance last year and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. While there’s lots of stress–particularly the paperwork part, it’s so nice being in charge of myself, and in control of my own professional destiny. Best wishes!
Comment from Dianne
Time: July 3, 2009, 10:34 am
Congratulations! Don’t look back—just remember you did it because you were ready to move on to bigger and better things.
Comment from Rachel
Time: July 3, 2009, 11:01 am
Wow–what a powerful post–you will fly!–all changes bring about more doors to open and walk through if needed! Best wishes on your new adventure and chapter in your life!!!
Comment from Eva
Time: July 3, 2009, 11:10 am
Congratulations – that’s awesome! All the best to you and your new adventures! :-)
Comment from Ellyn
Time: July 3, 2009, 11:45 am
Congrats! You are going to do amazing things
Comment from Dulce VanDyken
Time: July 3, 2009, 12:22 pm
As I clear my tears away from my face, You will be just fine without the press, Its them that will suffer.
Congrats and I am wishing you and your Family wonderful susses.
We love you.
Keep up the good work.
Dulce
Comment from Renee
Time: July 3, 2009, 12:29 pm
Way to go Jennifer! Best wishes to you for this new chapter of your life!
Comment from Nancy
Time: July 3, 2009, 1:20 pm
Wow! Well done you – congratulations! I very much doubt that you will look back at this with regrets. Brilliant!
Comment from EL
Time: July 3, 2009, 2:13 pm
Fantastic. You’ve done so much already. And what a terrific husband and family! You go, girl!
Comment from Jacqueline
Time: July 3, 2009, 2:22 pm
Hey Big sis! Bout time you joined me in the “Free World”. No boss, no time clocks, no jerk co workers – just you, your family and your crafts! CONGRATS I KNOW YOU WILL DO GREAT THINGS FROM HERE!
Comment from Ellen
Time: July 3, 2009, 2:37 pm
Congratulations and I wish you all the best!
Comment from Peppy
Time: July 3, 2009, 2:39 pm
You know what? I think it’s good to make changes and to experience this kind of emotional moments in your life once in a while, not too often though :)
Good luck!
Comment from Larry N.
Time: July 3, 2009, 2:42 pm
Congratulations! I love the sign you posted with this blog. When I left a place I loved after working there for 18 years, the hardest part for me was not being able to go back to use the library where I spent countless hours. No badge, no admittance! But, 20 years later, I have no regrets. I would have been happy if I stayed but I’m sure my life turned out much better for having left. Good luck with your new career.
Comment from Turtle
Time: July 3, 2009, 2:50 pm
huge congrats to you!!
Comment from Sarah Doty
Time: July 3, 2009, 3:03 pm
I am so happy for you. What a great day! Sarah in Houston
Comment from Duabe
Time: July 3, 2009, 4:26 pm
Congratulations Jennifer! I’m very, very happy for you and your family as you begin a new adventure together!
As I started to read your message, I looked out my window and saw a huge double rainbow!! It must be a sign – a very good one. I wish you the very best of everything to come.
Comment from Catherine
Time: July 3, 2009, 4:52 pm
I think your family has the right idea – this is only the beginning of something fabulous. Enjoy your kids, your freedom, and your hours of crafty endeavors…you will continue to do great things!
Comment from HobbyMommy
Time: July 3, 2009, 5:07 pm
Wonderful! It is hard to leave the world of work…Congratulations! This is huge!
Comment from Rita
Time: July 3, 2009, 5:40 pm
Congratulations on this amazing step! Enjoy your time back with your babies and go get ‘em!!!
Comment from Julie and Drew
Time: July 3, 2009, 6:08 pm
It’s a Woo-Hoo Day… not a Boo-Hoo Day. Quitting your job can be a scary thing, but trust us… you made the right move. We can’t wait to see what you’ve got up your sleeve.
Craft on!
Comment from Nancy Minsky
Time: July 4, 2009, 12:39 am
you now have carte blanche! it’s going to be an exiciting time with all your professional and instictive talents. enjoy!
Comment from Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood
Time: July 4, 2009, 6:20 am
Thanks for your support and encouragement. I really appreciate all the nice comments. I’m really excited about this next chapter and my newfound freedom. Happy Independence Day! Whoo-hoo!
Comment from coffeechris
Time: July 4, 2009, 7:48 am
Jennifer,
Congratulations, such courage and strength to do what is right for you and your family. As you end this close this door, good wishes for you double doors opening all along the way. So happy to hear you will continue the CraftSanity. I love your work and with more freedom, I’m sure you will rock the media world.
Comment from stephanie
Time: July 4, 2009, 8:39 am
congrats. oh, the places you’ll go!!
Comment from Rae
Time: July 4, 2009, 1:13 pm
Congratulations! You’re an inspiration to so many- may you enjoy this new found freedom, and may it bring you much success.
Comment from Thien-Kim
Time: July 4, 2009, 7:40 pm
Congrats! What a wonderful way to start the holiday weekend!
Comment from Sabrina
Time: July 4, 2009, 8:06 pm
Woohoo! So happy for you and the new adventures that are ahead:)
Comment from Kari
Time: July 4, 2009, 9:01 pm
It sounds like you’re making a great decision Jennifer. Following your bliss rocks!
Comment from Juliann
Time: July 4, 2009, 9:08 pm
May the wind lift you always to better and more beautiful places. May the sun shine on your endeavours. May the rain nourish your creativity and may the stillness feed your soul.
Congratulations, you’re on a wonderful journey and I know you will do very well!!
Comment from Bev
Time: July 5, 2009, 3:30 am
Change is hard and big changes can be scary. But oh how full of potential! We were thinking of you and are sending the best of happy thoughts for the next few weeks of adjusting. Well done you BRAVE woman!
Comment from michele
Time: July 5, 2009, 3:46 am
Congratulations, Jennifer!!! You’re an extraordinary hard worker. I am sure wonderful things are in your future. It will be so nice to work on your own projects and have time for your family. I’m just like you on last days – running to get out before the tears come even though I wanted to leave!
Best wishes, Michele
Comment from toni in florida
Time: July 5, 2009, 9:29 am
Good for you! I’m so happy for you that you’re able to go for it like this!
Comment from raebethriv
Time: July 5, 2009, 9:33 am
Congrats! Best wishes to you in all you do! I never knew how you did all you did w/ a fulltime job. Relax a little (if you can) & have fun for the summer. Your girls will grow up faster than you think, I know because one of mine just became a teenager, YIKES!
Comment from Nick Ramos
Time: July 5, 2009, 10:25 am
I wish you the best… As someone that has heard every single podcast and occasionally reads your blog, I have no doubt that you’ll be successful on your new adventures!
Comment from Michelle
Time: July 5, 2009, 7:20 pm
Congratulations! Here’s to making the most of what we have, and knowing when to do big things!
Comment from Jessica
Time: July 6, 2009, 8:16 am
Best of luck to you. You are brave to make this move. Enjoy every minute of it!
Comment from Michelle
Time: July 6, 2009, 8:18 am
Wowee! that is really exciting for you….and your girls and Jeff’s comments made me get all sniffly and teary eyed. Congrats Jennifer!
Comment from Felicia
Time: July 6, 2009, 4:26 pm
Groovy. Congratulations :)
Comment from Connie
Time: July 6, 2009, 4:28 pm
Congratulations Jennifer! There is so much to discover in life, in your girls, and your marriage. You know my motto “Live life with no regrets!” You’re made a big brave step —-in the right direction. Love ya!
Connie
Comment from Melissa P
Time: July 6, 2009, 10:12 pm
Yipee! You are so brave and I really admire you! I wish you all the best of everything!!!
Comment from Marlene
Time: July 7, 2009, 11:03 am
Congratulations on your new chapter in life! Enjoy your family and your new life! I’ve enjoyed reading your articles with the press. I will now come here and see what is happening. Wishing you the best!
Comment from Bridget B.
Time: July 7, 2009, 2:44 pm
Congratulations!
Comment from Deb
Time: July 7, 2009, 8:27 pm
Congratulations and all the best for this next step in your life!
Comment from Elizabeth
Time: July 9, 2009, 11:44 am
Congratulations Jennifer! How cool is it to be following your dreams?! May the Lord richly bless you as you begin this new chapter in your life.
Comment from JayeL
Time: July 10, 2009, 7:28 pm
Your blog posts since the last day have been great and I know these are just a warm up to the future book, podcasts, documentary! Go Jennifer Go!!!
Comment from Jeff Rauschert
Time: July 15, 2009, 10:05 pm
Jen: You’ll be so happy with your decision. Enjoy writing the next chapter of your life. Give Jeff and the girls our best.
Comment from chickengirl
Time: July 16, 2009, 3:35 pm
As someone who did the same thing 3 and a half years ago, I want to say Congratulations!!!! Good for you on taking the plunge- amazing opportunities await you!
Comment from susan
Time: July 31, 2009, 7:18 pm
I read your craft blog on milive.com. I am glad you are going to continue it. Good luck to you in your new adventures!
Comment from Shelley Noble
Time: August 8, 2009, 3:17 pm
WOW! I had no idea you made the move! Congratulations, Jennifer! This is fantastic! I’d been catching up with old podcasts and was coming here to check out links and saw the announcement.
I’m so happy for you. This is living the dream.
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Time: August 31, 2009, 5:47 am
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