Author Rachel Valencourt

You know what they say – life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans. And boy, did that ring true for me when I found myself on a career path that felt like it was leading me straight to burnoutsville. At first, I was so stubborn, I soldiered on and ended up in some pretty intense and stressful jobs that left me feeling unfulfilled and just plain worn out. But, my friends, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. In this post, I’m gonna share with you how I turned things around and followed my passion for writing, and how today I find myself in the process of publishing my first novel. So, get ready to buckle up and join me on this wild ride – I promise it’ll be worth it.

Entering the workforce at a young age can be an exciting and overwhelming time. I remember the rush I felt when I landed my first full-time job at just 17 years old, at that time, I was working my way through University, where I studied journalism. I had big dreams of becoming successful writer. However, as I navigated my way through my twenties and into my thirties, I found myself on a career path that I had never envisioned for myself. Working 60 hours a week in a demanding HR job, I felt stressed, unfulfilled, and unsure of where my future was headed. It wasn’t until later that I was able to rediscover my passion for writing and create a career that was truly fulfilling.

And then, to throw a whole other wrench into the mix, my husband and I decided to start a family. Cue the record scratch, right? Suddenly, my priorities shifted and I realized that all those 60-hour work weeks weren’t worth sacrificing precious moments with my little ones. It was time to reassess my goals and figure out a way to balance my career with my family life. And let me tell you, it wasn’t easy, but I did it. So, if you’re struggling to find that balance too, just know that you’re not alone and it is possible. Eventually, I have found my way into a fulfilling career, while also prioritizing my family.

I took a leap of faith and quit my HR job so I could start doing marketing for my husband’s new business he was building. I thought that by supporting my husbands endeavor grow, we could bring some extra income into our home and I would be able to pursue my passion for writing on a part-time basis.

In 2010, I started my first blog and began writing content for various websites, all from the comfort of my own home. It was the perfect setup – I could develop my writing skills and work on my career, all while being there for my children and creating a flexible schedule that worked for our family. First time writers don’t bring in a whole lot of income, sometimes I wrote for free or for goods. It’s all about building a portfolio of work and developing your writing skills in the early days, so I continued to do marketing for our family business and wrote whenever the babies were napping. This went on for years, but slowly we found a system that worked for our family and paid the bills.

Of course, the transition wasn’t always easy. There were moments when I doubted myself and wondered if I had made the right decision. But I quickly realized that being a stay-at-home mom doesn’t mean sacrificing your dreams – it means finding a way to make them work for you.

Now, over a decade later, I’m thrilled to be publishing my first novel. It’s been a journey full of ups and downs, but I’m proud of where I am today. I’ve learned that with hard work, dedication, and a willingness to adapt, anything is possible.

Whether you’re feeling stuck in a stressful career or struggling to balance work and family, it’s important to know that there’s always hope. You have the power to make a change and pursue your passions, no matter where you are today. It all starts with taking a hard look at your priorities and making the decision to prioritize what truly matters most to you. Don’t be afraid to take risks and step out of your comfort zone. With the right mindset, a little bit of hustle, and a lot of determination, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. We’re all just out here doing our best, trying to find our way in this crazy world. So, be kind to yourself, stay humble, and keep pushing forward. Who knows where it might lead you?