My guest blogger today is Angela, author of the blog Tiaras and Trucks. She is such a supportive blogger and one who is about to make the exciting leap from the Blogger platform to WordPress. But her story here today is about so much more than blog design, it’s about making that fundamental decision to chase a dream – which she is doing through her very own blog.
My path to teaching wasn’t a straight one; I went back to school to obtain a master’s degree and teaching certificate simultaneously. Finding a job seemed like the end of a journey. Pregnant with my daughter Abbey, I graded papers, planned lessons, and thought about my career in terms of what sort of school I wanted to work at in the future. As an enchanted new mother, I started a blog, a place to document her photos and a few funny stories, creating a virtual baby book.
Between night awakenings, planning authentic assessments, early morning runs and contacting parents, I felt my passion for teaching wane. I dove into planning sessions, literature circles and stayed up working in the silence of the hours past midnight but my heart was divided.
By the time I was pregnant with Dylan, I knew I wanted to take a break with plans to teach again once he went to Kindergarten. Nursing Dylan in the stillness of a darkened room, I began clicking around, finding blogs I would come back to day after day. Soon, my own blog posts evolved, my language deepened and I rediscovered a joy for writing without the specific deadlines or expectations of academic assignments.
Slowly, my voice appeared; my writer’s voice – dormant for years, it called me forward in a whisper and then a SHOUT.
I followed, uncertain and tentative, hiding behind words like hobby and just-for-fun.
I found communities like Theta Mom, which was like stepping into a candy store; blogs filled with sweetness, hilarity or with common sense advice. Women were sharing their stories and forming tribes of support, encouragement, and inspiration. I began reaching out, commenting and linking and exploring the meandering path of the blogosphere.
Posts used to fly from my mind to the screen, published without more than a brief edit. Now I draft and edit, taking pride in the record I’m leaving for my children, but somehow still left wondering if it could be something more.
I found Write on Edge, where I tasted fiction writing again and found a group of women who would unequivocally change how I view my own writing and the writing process. The idea of teaching again lost its appeal; freelance writing tickled softly behind my ears, hidden and unspoken, a goal I was afraid to voice should it fizzle out of existence once it met the air outside of my dreams.
I found Just.Be.Enough. where I have the opportunity to share my journey to find and accept who I am as a mother, a writer, a wife, a woman.
I found BlogHer and began to entertain thoughts of syndication and reviewing books and freelance work, both writing and copy editing.
Unlike my teaching career, this path is one I’m walking without a direct goal; there are obstacles and fears and doubts blocking my way. But there is beauty as well; the flowers of community and support that help cushion those obstacles.
Because of blogging, my teaching career is slowly becoming part of my past. My blog, once a place to record milestones and memories, has become a tangible place to forge my new path as a writer.
My blog has helped my dreams take shape, and now I need to see how they hold their shape in the freedom of the breeze.
Angela, I think it’s wonderful that you’ve found your way to being a writer through your blog. I think many dream that, and you’ve just shown that it can be done.
Thank you Alison
I appreciate your support so much.
Heather, Thank you so much for having me here today. You’re truly a trailblazer and an inspiration to me as I figure out what I’m doing out here
I appreciate the support and advice of people who have been there, done that, and you are so generous in sharing your knowledge.
It’s a pleasure Angela! I look forward to watching your journey unfold.
xoxo
Like you I’ve found a wonderful community and a new found love for writing. It makes me smile when I see people who have found a new path in life or a way to make their dreams come true through their blogs.
Hi Jackie! I know you are going to do amazing things as you figure out how to work social media into your future.
Love this post, Angela. Realizing we’ve found a path we had only once dreamed is amazing, fulfilling and rewarding. There are so many great resources and you’ve mentioned some of the very best. Good luck with all you do!
Thank you so much Kelli! Without the support and resources I’ve found along my way, these dreams would never even have formed, I don’t think.
Angela, you inspire me every day…this crazy leap of faith, to answer that “tickle behind the ear” to follow the dream is not so crazy after all.
I have no doubt, what-so-ever that your journey will not only hold shape, but blossom.
Kelly, that is such a kind thing to say! I look to you as another example of someone who has followed her heart to a place where your dream is becoming a reality, so thank you.
Hi Angela ::waves to friend::
I love this post. I’m glad you’ve been able to grow and stretch beyond what you thought was your path. I love how blogging has changed my thinking and my writing too. I’m hoping my path keeps changing and moving toward the direction of a freelance writer. Then I can quit my day job!
Hi Molly…waves back…
I know that you will finish your book and hope that you can quit your day job
Finding the time to nurture your craft while working full time, raising kids, and doing the general day-to-day parts of life is so impressive.
You and I share similar visions for our blogs to serve as a platform for other writing opportunities. Whenever I start to get frustrated by my lack of forward motion, I remind myself that professional writing is an evolutionary process, that the path is long and winding, and that although I still have a lot to learn and many avenues to explore, JUST LOOK HOW FAR I’VE ALREADY COME. My writing alone has improved exponentially since I started blogging, to say nothing of my editing and marketing skills. So, I could completely relate to everything you wrote here and wish you the best of luck in pursuing your passion. Because it’s my passion, too.
This is such an amazing comment, and it will be one I look back to from time to time when I am feeling discouraged and need a little lift. It is so true that the path is an evolution and that I’ve already made so many positive steps along it, even though it seems as though it’s still a long and complicated journey.
I read your post, Angela, and had to ask myself, “Wait, did I write this?” because our journeys are so, so similar. I taught for nine years before having my oldest son (now 4). I always thought that I would go back to teaching, but my foray into blogging – first as baby book, now as something more – made me fall in love with writing. I did go back to work this fall, but this time as a part-time work-at-home freelance writer.
So lovely to meet you, a fellow traveler on this very same journey!!
Congratulations on your new career
It’s so exciting to see someone who’s made similar decisions meet their goals; it reminds me that it’s possible and can be done.
Angela – so good to see you here! What a lovely post too – you said what many of us feel in our hearts (as usual). You do such a good job putting emotions into words.
Thank you Missy
I hoped that many people would be able to relate to this post; I have met so many wonderful writers along this path who have made their blogs into platforms to showcase their talents, and you are one of those people 
I am happy to have had one more opportunity to get to know you a little more — your journey to find your voice (and now sing with it) is inspiring!
I am also excited to see your new site soon
Thank you Tania! I’m excited about moving to WordPress. I know it’ll be a learning curve, but hopefully it’s not too tough for me!
I feel like I’ve found a long-lost sister or something! Angela, thanks for this post, it is SO encouraging. That’s because I am also a “retired” teacher turned blogger!
I had been teaching for seven years before I finally made the switch to be a freelance writer and “location independent” professional. My blog has opened up so many opportunities for freelance work, mostly with mom- or women-owned businesses, and I know that I’ve just scratched the surface. I’m excited for what lies ahead.
Thank God for TMC, because even though I’m online and working from home, I feel like I’ve stepped into the virtual homes of many who’ve welcomed me. Like you, it has compelled me to keep on writing, and to write well. I’m so encouraged by your post here today; thank you for sharing your story! It confirms what I’ve always known in my heart, that I’m not alone in my journey towards being a successful blogger.
Yay! for finding new connections
Part of what I love is finding a blog or opportunity behind a door I didn’t even know existed.
I just followed you on twitter
What a wonderful post and an amazing journey. I love that you found your voice while caring for your baby…I feel like that has happened to so many on this journey. A year into writing my parenting advice site, I’ve recently let my more creative voice out and it’s been very inspiring. I don’t know how I silenced it for so many years.
How exciting that you were able to find your creative voice while writing a more straightforward type of site. I’m glad you’re finally letting that creative side out
Heather – so glad you featured Angela today. She is not only one of the kindest – and funniest – women I know, she’s also an amazingly talented writer who has only begun to scratch the surface of what she can do.
xo
Cheryl, Thank you so much! Coming from you, those words mean so much
xo
I love seeing bloggers – WRITERS – saying this out loud. In this space “I want to do this” is so much bolder than “I can”. Because of course you can. You’re an amazing writer, Angela.
Write on.
Robin, thank you! I don’t think I realized I could at first. I’m still trying to figure out exactly what it IS I want to do, but I’m figuring it out a little at a time.
Angela–you write so beautifully. And with such truth and beauty.
The image of your future whispering (and, possibly SHOUTING) at you hits me at my core.
I am so pleased you are finding your passions…and let them unfold naturally.
Stellar post, friend.
Thanks Nancy! I am so excited to see what happens with this path. And scared a little, but much more excited than scared
Oh Angela – I love this..and you are such an incredible writer. xoxo
Thank you my friend
I appreciate your words so much.
OH MY SWEET FRIEND..I am so sorry I am late to your party!!! Look at you, the amazing writer and inspiration to every single thing I write here at Theta Mom. CONGRATULATIONS.
I am so glad that through your blog you have found the SOUL of yourself again…that you have opened up your wings and are ready to fly to your dreams. They will come true, I am sure of it, because your whole being yells out to be a writer. Your words are only one of the amazing and beautiful things about you.
xo
Kir, thank you so much. You know that your friendship is one of my absolute greatest gifts of this year.
xoxo
Thank you for this inspiration. I also started blogging as a hobby and have slowly found, over the years that I truly have a heart for writing. I will check out those sites you listed.