From My Desk: The Grass is Greener Where You Water It

Self-doubt. Imposter syndrome. The quiet feeling that the grass must be greener somewhere else.

These are things I’ve struggled with over the years while working for small businesses and now as an entrepreneur and business owner myself. This week, I had a moment where I had to give myself a bit of a stern talking-to.

I’ve seen countless TikToks of people quitting their corporate jobs to pursue something less structured — something that allows their creativity to flow and gives them more freedom. Yet ironically, I can’t tell you how many times over the years I’ve caught myself wondering if I should do the exact opposite.

Should I start over?

Should I get a corporate job?

Should I climb the ladder like so many people do?

But this week, I said no more to the spiral. I paused for a moment and really looked at my life. I’m the co-founder of a beautiful home and lifestyle shop. I work alongside a business partner who believes in me and wants to build something meaningful together. I’m surrounded by friends who champion me and peers who want to grab coffee, pick my brain, ask questions, and cheer me on from afar.

How lucky am I?

Each day I get to show up in a space that I’ve worked to curate, helping people create homes that reflect who they are with pieces I’ve thoughtfully selected. Sure, it’s not always easy. Some days, weeks, and seasons can feel really scary. But it is so rewarding.

And when I’m in the shop — candle lit, music playing, coffee in hand — I’m experiencing one of my favorite things in the world: hygge.

Little me would not believe what I get to do today.

Little me would be so excited to know that I get to create my own path, build something from the ground up, and shape my days around ideas and creativity. That was always the dream.

It’s a big reason why I transferred colleges and finished my business degree online. I wanted flexibility. I wanted the ability to work when inspiration struck and structure my life in a way that felt natural to me. So I nannied during the day, and in my free time I did schoolwork, a cup of coffee in hand.

That path eventually led me to the interior design industry, and that’s where I’ve been ever since.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of helping streamline processes, build meaningful relationships, develop brand identities, and bring thoughtful ideas to life. I’ve been able to lean into my type-A tendencies while also nurturing the creative side of myself that has always been there.

But when things fall apart in ways you never expected, it’s easy to start questioning everything.

You start wondering if you chose the wrong path.

That little voice in your head begins whispering all the reasons why you’re not good enough. All the reasons someone else would be more equipped to run a business than you. All the mistakes you’ve made along the way.

Regret creeps in. Fear follows close behind. Panic isn’t far off.

And maybe some of that comes from experiences or moments that left their mark. Maybe there’s a little bit of trauma woven in there, too. Maybe it was never meant to be easy to work through.

But maybe that’s the whole point.

Maybe pain and hardship lead to the real breakthroughs. Maybe experiencing some of the hardest moments allow you to show up better— as a person, as a spouse, as a business partner, as a leader, as a member of your community.

So I’ve decided to take all the doubt and fear and replace them with wisdom, power, and courage. I’m done with the negative self-talk — when it comes to my body, my career, and the trajectory of my life. I’m here to embrace it. To take it all in. To pursue the dreams that little me never could have imagined for herself.

It’s easy to look at friends who are settled into their stable 9-to-5 careers — careers without the uncertainty and risk that business ownership can bring — and think, life would be so much easier that way.

But if I pause and reflect for a moment, I realize they could just as easily look at my life and think, how fun is that.

And I am done taking that for granted.

I am entering an era of embracing the uncertainty and going for it anyway — unapologetically.

This is the one life I get, and I don’t want to look back with regrets. I want to live authentically. I want to expand my creativity. I want to pour my energy into my business, my personal brand, and the ideas that genuinely excite me. I want to look back and feel proud.

Because at the end of the day, the grass isn’t greener somewhere else.

The grass is greener where you water it.

And you, my friend, are worth watering.