The Great Adventure
In the year since quitting my corporate job in April 2021, I’ve had some amazing opportunities and firsts as a freelancer that I am so grateful for. I designed a piece for my first art showing since college at Bay View Gallery Night. I designed my first ever album artwork and tour poster for Claire Kelly. I assisted my friend and talented artist, Alison Galarza, on painting a mural for the first time (not her first, though, so I learned a lot!). I art directed videos and worked on some marketing for startup PATCHWORKdigital. I designed several logo packages and did freelance work for notable companies like Clorox, Milliman, Children’s Wisconsin and Aspiration Catalyst. My flexible work schedule allowed me to do things like volunteer and take a pottery class over the summer. Needless to say, I definitely think it was worth taking the leap.
In my personal time, I’ve also had some awesome moments this year, including 4 weddings for some of my closest friends and family, watching the Milwaukee Bucks win the NBA Finals from the Deer District, the return of concerts and festivals, and travel to Orlando and Siesta Key Florida; Denver, Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs, CO; Austin, TX; Puerto Vallarta and Mexico City, Mexico. Just a few of my favorite things!
Now, I’m on to the next adventure. My partner, James, and I saved up and are going to road trip around the United States! Just in time for gas prices to soar. :) We will continue to work remotely while we travel (at least for now). I’ve taken a step back from PATCHWORKdigital and am going to take on fewer freelance clients. Long story short, we’re both sick of winters in Wisconsin and are trying to figure out where we want to live (at least for a little while). I’ve also been thinking a lot about purpose and what I can do to add value to the world. I’m not sure exactly how that will play out so I’d like to take a bit of time to focus on a plan for the future.
I’ve always wanted to take a year to travel. I’m a big believer in living life to its fullest, taking risks, and having no regrets. Life is short. There is no “perfect” time to follow your dreams. I may miss some precious moments like being home for the birth of my first nephew or the first baby in my circle of friends.* I may miss nights out and big games and fun Milwaukee festivals. And I know I’ll want to be close to family and friends again before long. I could wait until retirement to do something like this but as much as I plan, I know that nothing in life is guaranteed. So this feels like the right thing for us in this moment. If you’d like to follow along, this is where I’ll be documenting our travels. I’ll be posting to social media but feel free to subscribe to my email list if that’s more your jam.
Here’s to a great adventure.
*Side note — I looked up the word for a gender-neutral/group term for niece or nephew and it’s… “nibling.” Can we petition to change that? There’s probably a reason none of us have ever heard that word before.