Why I quit the day job

First of all let me be honest…  There was no grand ‘I quit’ moment.  There was no walk out.  Rather more of a ‘me sobbing quietly into my boss’s very understanding arms’ moment and accepting that it was time for things to change.

I started working with Fi at Bluebellgray just one month after launching the blog in 2011, wow…  In fact, it was her suggestion to start my own blog all those years ago, hence the name, but, shortly after, she found her own business growing and it seemed like a great fit for me to come on board.  Back then there were three of us packed in amongst mountains of cushions in the tiniest studio and we all did a lot of packing and ironing and invoicing and I took on some social media duties too.  Over the years Fi grew her beautiful business into a hugely successful global brand and I grew into the role of PR and marketing co-ordinator.  The Glasgow team grew, as well as developing international reps and teams based around the world, and we relocated to a bigger studio.  Fi and I travelled the world for press events and meetings and some of my most treasured memories are from those trips – river swimming in Germany, sunset cycles in LA, boat trips in Toronto, all that New York shopping (erm, ‘research’), late night truffle pizzas in Paris…  We did a heck of a lot of work too I promise.

I was lucky, like really, really lucky, that my day job allowed me flexibility.  What began as five days a week compressed into four and then three as the blog became more demanding.  I was also travelling for fashion weeks and blog meetings and press trips and it all worked rather nicely for some time.  When I say ‘rather nicely’ what I really mean is that I somehow just about managed to keep my head above water, often only sleeping four or five hours a night, but it was amazing; living the dream and absolutely not willing to give up either of my passions – Bluebellgray or Thankfifi…

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Then life changed.  My father’s health wasn’t so great and I fell pregnant.  One of those things alone would have been a challenge, let me tell you, but both together were getting on top of me.  I could no longer sustain on minimal sleep – I needed to take better care of myself and I wanted to spend more time with my family.  Cutting down to two days a week at Bluebellgray was a big decision.  I felt I was conceding that this was not going to be my career path.  I had by no means checked out but I was also acutely aware that on two days a week, I simply could not make the same impact as someone full time.  There were tears then as I came to terms with my own choice…  I remember wailing to my colleague, ‘Is this what I am now, a mother?  Is this what defines me now?’.  (What I know now is that, in fact, to be defined as a mother is truly a blessing but try telling my four month pregnant self that…).

But it was absolutely the right thing.  Those extra days spent with my father will be forever cherished.

And before I knew it May rolled around and my maternity leave from the day job began.  Nine glorious months, maybe even twelve, seem to stretch so far in front of you that what happens at the end is not even a tiny thought in your mind.  In the beginning…

But sure enough those months fly by.  And it was time to make a decision.

Over the past six and a half years I have worked really, really hard on this space of mine.  I have been lucky sometimes but every penny I make, I graft for.  I network, I take meetings, I travel (it is most certainly not always glamorous), I curate and create, I source and pull products, I shoot and I edit, wow I spend a lot of time editing, I am a slave to my inbox, I invoice and I file tax returns, I pitch projects and I try my damnedest to keep up with the ever changing landscape of social media.  And I love it.  And somehow I make a living.  So it was now or never.

I came to a point where I went round and round in my head trying to fathom how I could not only maintain this business I had worked so very hard to create whilst also being a reasonable mother AND go back to the day job.  But it simply did not add up.  Or rather the hours required added up to more than I had.

If I had not spent all this time and energy to build my own business for the very purpose of truly managing a good work life balance then what had it all been for?  I feel so incredibly lucky to be in a position where I can spend time with this beautiful boy, I can walk my dogs and drink endless cups of tea with my mum.  And I can still work.  The mums step in two days a week for me to truly focus on Thankfifi and Hunter just started half days with a childminder along the road (allowing me the time to write epic posts like this, ha).  And yes, sometimes it spans into the evenings and often the weekends too but it works.  I have a balance…  or at least a blend.

So, with a very heavy heart I broke down into Fi’s arms and confessed that, as much as I wanted to, I simply could not do it all.  I think she teared up too.  But she understood.  Can you even imagine having a boss who is such a wonderful friend that they would message you afterwards just to tell you that you have made the hardest decision but that you will never regret choosing to spend time with your son?  Well that’s Fi.  Bluebellgray is like my family – I loved my job there and I love the brand and, perhaps even most of all, I love the team I worked with.  But it is time for my new chapter…

This little baby just changed everything for me.

 

SHOP THE OUTFIT

monday midi dress – Free People
(this dress runs super small so order one size up)
boots – Zalando (similar)
palma fedora – Lack of Color

sweatshirt – Zara
trousers – Zara
snood – Zara

 

 

 

 

 

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16 Comments

  1. 22 May / 9:15 am

    And what a beautiful wee boy boy he is! Great post Wendy, I’m getting to that stage with my job too. I work full time for my parents in the office, I book keep one night a week. I’m trying to build my own business with my clothing website and I enjoy blogging. Life is a juggle but I’m struggling too and something needs to give. I went to bed around 9.30 last night and got up at 3 this morning to do some work. it’s crazy!
    Love your dress in this shoot!

    PS I bought the black zimmerman style dress from Next you posted, what a great buy! x

    • Thankfifi
      Author
      22 May / 10:58 am

      I totally get where you are at Marlene although I always wound up staying up super late to get everything done… think I’d be hitting snooze at 3am. But I get it. I managed along like that for far longer than I should have but it’s such a scary step to take. The reality is that if you don’t have a baby to factor into the equation, taking the leap would mean you would have more time to dedicate to making your business a success. Good luck when the time comes! And try to remember to look after yourself until then.x
      p.s. So glad you love the dress too!

  2. 22 May / 12:03 pm

    That’s such a big but exciting change Wendy! Anything that gives you more family time is always a good change I think – you know they grow up so quickly! I like that you still get to have your business and focus on your blog too though, motherhood is great, but everyone needs something they can dive into for a break from the baby routine now and then!

    All the best with your new direction đŸ™‚

    • Thankfifi
      Author
      24 May / 11:11 am

      Thanks Mica, it is such a big change but I suppose in many ways I was eased into it by having maternity leave and not being at the day job all that time. But yes, we still need some ‘me’ time to keep us sane don’t we?!

    • Thankfifi
      Author
      24 May / 11:11 am

      Haha! Thanks.x

  3. Judy
    22 May / 9:15 pm

    Both you and Fiona have done amazingly well with your businesses and i think you have made the right decision for you. Well done to both of you and i loved reading this post xx

    • Thankfifi
      Author
      24 May / 11:11 am

      Thanks Judy, means a lot, so glad you enjoyed it.x

  4. Gaylesbury
    22 May / 11:25 pm

    The big decisions always are the hardest x Lovely words xxx

    • Thankfifi
      Author
      24 May / 11:13 am

      Aren’t they just! I agonised over this one… the husband would confirm that one of my flaws is that I am ambitious with time to a fault. So this time I just tried to make the sensible decision…

  5. 28 May / 5:11 pm

    I love your description of your life as a blend rather than a balance! And I wish you all the best. Life has seasons. Enjoy this one! I have!

    • Thankfifi
      Author
      30 May / 1:52 pm

      Life definitely does have seasons – I will do my very best to enjoy this one – they seem to pass so quickly.x

    • Thankfifi
      Author
      30 May / 1:52 pm

      Thanks Sam, I could spend all my money at Free People right now…

  6. 30 May / 1:00 pm

    I just read this and what an honest, beautifully written post it is Wendy! <3
    I think you took the best decision, ThankFifi is one of the greatest Scottish blogs and you worked so hard to get it where it is now, so it would be a shame if you drove yourself crazy trying to fit everything in, and now with Hunter I suppose your life perspective has change and you focus on the more important stuff in life, so good for you!
    You are a great businesswoman and I truly believe that you will grow this space into something much bigger so I wish you all the best for the future and I am looking forward to what's next xx

    P.S: Love the new blog design too!x

    • Thankfifi
      Author
      30 May / 1:53 pm

      Thanks so, so much Ana. I really appreciate your kind words and well wishes – it’s so lovely to have people like you to share it all with.x

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