30 Months Later, Questions Answered.......

Simplicity never had such meaning to me until I tried to simplify my life, many questions arose, such as:

- My career
I worked so hard to obtain my position. Many people would consider what I had was a successful career, and that I was crazy to give it all up and start a small business?

- Financial
How could I afford to leave a salaried position and venture out on my own? Would I make enough money to provide an income to live comfortably on? These questions weighed heavily on my mind, but to simplify my life I had to take a risk….a risk dependent on my own abilities, and my own determination.

- Leaving the conveniences of the city
The decision to simplify meant leaving the big city life and moving to the country. Would I miss the convenience of living in the city with every convenience so close at hand?

- People contact
By living in the country, and working alone, would I miss the people contact?

- Boredom
My career provided much variety and constant challenges. I thrived on variety and challenges. Would a new small business provide the variety and challenges that I needed to challenge my mind?

Now two and a half years later, my worries, my questions, are now answered by living a simple life.

- My career
The small business is growing, I love what I do. So, to answer the question, "No I was not crazy". It was an unusual experience, it was like starting all over again. But, it is amazing the transferable skills that are applied, and how one can transfer those skills to new careers. Now, when I wake up, I don't regret having to get up. Because loving what you do makes a big difference!

- Financial
While I am not making the money that my salary used to provide, I am making enough money to live comfortably. I do pay more attention to what is purchased and where to buy it, but, I've found implementing frugal practices actually makes money go further.

- Leaving the conveniences of the city
I do not miss the city. I love country life, the peacefulness, the changing of the seasons, all things I never noticed in the city. And, as far as the conveniences, you adapt….rather than eating out often, home cooking provides wholesome meals. Rather than running to the store every time I have a want, I now shop when I have a need…, which, in turn, saves a lot of money!!!

- People contact
I have made many new friends. A lot of my friends are people who have also left the big city life, are working on their own small business, and are living in the country. What I have found is that there is a great support group of small business owners. And, the support group of neighbors in the country is amazing; something that you would never find in the city as everyone is usually busy going here or there!

- Boredom
There is an old saying, "you are only as bored as you let yourself be". How true that is! If anything I have found that I am now more creative (now that I don't carry some of the thoughts of a corporation). I constantly challenge myself, and the life I lead provides the variety that I need. Boredom, well let me say, there are many days that I wonder why I ever worried about being bored!

Would I change the simple life I live now? No! I can't begin to explain the rewards I have realized by changing my life. A simple life did not come easy, without its own challenges. But, I was determined to make it. So every challenge that came up, I knew there was a solution and found it! Sometimes it meant changing what or how I was doing something, but usually the change was for the better. When faced with disappointments, and I had a few, I always looked to find the good in them; and, there was good in them!

Our journey continues, read 45 months later, Our Home Based Business