Today marks one year of self-employment for me! I can hardly believe it, truthfully. It truly feels like I was making the decision just yesterday. Never before has a year in my career gone by so quickly! And never before have I enjoyed a year of work so much.

This past year has challenged me in so many ways and given me such fulfillment. I took a lot of risks and I worked unbelievably hard. I dealt with moments of severe self-doubt and fear. I learned to trust my instinct and also was reminded how important it is to value yourself and your work. I learned to lean on others and I asked for help when I needed it. I surrounded myself with other awesome, hardworking people who are also self employed and through them found ongoing inspiration.

I truly didn’t know what year one would look like. I could have failed to sign clients. I could have not been able to pay my bills or been back to looking for a more corporate job. (To be clear: I still live with these fears every day!) But, instead, the year was filled with great change and surprise.

In the past year I’ve been reminded about the power of relationships. And friendships. And I’ve had the importance of positive thinking and being kind reinforced. I’ve had days of debilitating anxiety not quite knowing where to turn to next or feeling alone in making big decisions. But those days are so outnumbered by days where I find myself whispering a silent thank you for being able to live a life and build a career that I’m loving.

And while I’ve learned a lot while being self employed, I can say that some of my most important lessons were: continually being invested in and involved with the community of entrepreneurs, creatives and go-getters around me, remembering to trust my instinct and knowing it is always worth standing up for myself, my time and my services.

With one year of self employment (blogging + consulting full time) under my belt I can look back and see the immense growth I’ve experienced. Working for myself has no doubt been the most exciting chapter in my career and I cannot wait to see what year 2 brings! Right now is particularly exciting time in my life as I prepare to turn 32 on the 15th and also just moved into my new place in a new neighborhood yesterday!

Thank you all for supporting me on this journey and for all your encouraging words this past year. It means so much to me and I love everything that wit & whimsy has brought into my life – but most of all you guys, my readers!

p.s. Why I chose self-employment and tips on working from home.

[Bekka Palmer Photography]