FL Road Trip + Happiness in 3 Jobs

It intrigues me is the way we see bloggers. They are a role model for fashion, food, makeup, travel, etc. We follow them because they do something really well…right?

I used to think that.

The big reason we have a favorite blogger has more to do with getting to know their story and aspiring to the life we think they have. It shocked me this Summer when I shared about a tough week and got messages from you guys saying you were sorry to hear and adding ‘I really thought you had a perfect life’.

Let’s just say it was a reality check to remember how people perceive my life and how my life actually is are two different things. But I think the one huge perception that IS true is I’m happy most of the time and life is beautiful.

When I had a work meeting come up in Florida last week, I got really excited. Jacksonville is only a five hour drive, it was just a two hour dinner meeting AND I had a girlfriend in town to watch Juliana. For those of you that are new, I’m a Regional Sales Manager for Turkey Hill Dairy and as much as I love my job, the hard part of the last 4 years is leaving Juliana one night a week.

So when I realized, hey- I can bring her! It was GAME ON.  In my head I had this idea of frolicking in pumpkins patches with her, shooting mommy daughter outfits in Charleston and singing in the car all the way down the coast.

NOOOOOOOO! That’s not how it went! 

We got to Charleston Sunday and clocked time well to shoot with my photographer, Nicole. Everything went smoothly til it was time to leave our hotel for the shoot and I realized Juliana had hidden the car keys. I  searched frantically and we ended up 20 minutes late. Juliana decided she didn’t want to dress up for pictures and I never make her, so I buckled her in her stroller to keep her safe while we shot. Two minutes later, right as we were getting in the zone a big husky dog snuck up into her face.

I haven’t seen that look of terror since the Easter Bunny surprised her when she was two. Strapping her back in wasn’t an option so Nicole (who is an amazing mom herself and totally gets it!) helped me keep her distracted for the rest of the shoot.

(Can you spot the missing pumpkin in the photo?…had to keep her distracted with something 😉 )

I was down on myself afterwards because I was a little sidetracked the rest of the shoot. When you’re doing a styled shoot, there is so much to think about but I couldn’t focus on much except looking out for more dogs.

The next morning was crazier. I took my first conference call down at the pool while I watched Juliana play.

Then I decided we needed to be in the room for the second call, since it was with my VP of sales. J and I had a pep talk then I dug out her favorite- a coloring book and crayons- and figured we were good to go.

Nope.

While I was answering questions from my VP about my biggest sales call this Fall, I had a five year old climbing all over my back for attention. I was so glad I  prepared for the call because J even talked a time or two while I was on the call. In my head I justified it with, ‘well at least I bring real value to Turkey Hill. Plus I would never have her in the same room for a client facing call.’ Yeah, I still don’t know what Tom my VP thinks or thought. He’s cool though so I’m hoping he was cool with it. And either way I learned my lesson.

After Charleston we went on to Jacksonville. I knew we were in for a stormy trip when you guys messaged to be careful of the hurricane. Jax got LOTS of wind and rain the 20 hours we were down there and it followed us most of the drive home.

(eating lunch to get out of the rain in Jax!)

No pumpkin patch.

Definitley no apple orchard.

But despite all that we a blast and made special memories. Not because everything went the way I thought, but because I was spending time with the person and things I was passionate about. And I could tell Juliana loved the time together -even though I said no everytime she asked for a toy during store checks. 😉

(I let her pick her outfits. Also, I think she colored her doll more than her Frozen coloring book)

(Checking our tea in Winn Dixie stores. WD is an account I brought on and the merchandising looked BOMB!)

Being a single mom AND chasing my career AND running a blog feels like insanity on days like last Monday/Tuesday, but the trip showed me how resilient I am and reminded me why I live life the way I do.

For years in my 20s I didn’t know what I wanted to do or be, or what my calling was in life. Now in my early 30s, despite the challenges (and stress at times) I find deep fulfillment and happiness because I’m finally living out my Purpose.

Your Purpose is what you were put here on this earth to do.

Mine? It’s to make an actual positive impact on the lives of those in my community. My community is Juliana. It’s my family and friends here, it’s you. Happiness comes when I see the impact I make on other’s lives and strengthen relationships as a result. Watching Juliana grow into a thriving five year old is a big part of that for me. And having a platform that lets me inspire you guys – and get inspired back- is the next best thing after that.

We all want happiness, but it doesn’t necessarily lie in what we think will make us happy. Long hours can feel like pure drudgery or they can be bliss, depending on if you’ve found your Purpose.

You might be thinking, that’s great you found yours Terra, but I have no clue what mine even is or how to figure it out. Or wait…do I even have one?

Trust me, you do. Here’s a little challenge:

Think about something you love so much you lose track of time doing. Is there something-anything- where hours can slip by and you don’t even really notice?

Now try to determine what it is about that activity you love so much. Is there a way to incorporate more of that component into your life? Maybe even your professional life? Approach it with an open mind and try to be really honest with yourself. And leave a comment below or send me an email (fifteenminutestoflawless@gmail.com), because I can’t wait to hear what you come up with!

Love always,

Terra

Shop the Post