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Leap

Leap

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Pants: Zara (similar here and here); Sweater: Club Monaco (similar here and here); Watch: Cluse

Hands up if you’ve ever had an aspiration but have been too scared to pursue it because of fear.

I know I’m guilty. In fact, I wrote about why I was too afraid to launch a Facebook page just a little while back. So today, I wanted to tell you guys about how this past June, I decided to become a full-time blogger. To give you a bit of context, I got my dream job at Elle Canada last in September 2015. I’ve heard horror stories about working at fashion magazines, but I suppose I was one of the lucky ones who worked with a wonderful group of women doing a job that I genuinely loved. However, over time, my blog became increasingly demanding, and I realized that what I truly wanted to do was work for myself. So, in June of this year, as I was nearing the end of my contract, I decided that it was time for me to take a leap of faith and dedicate all my time and energy into my blog.

Guys, it was scary. I didn’t know if I would succeed and wanted to hold off on announcing it in case I failed – which is why it took me this long to publish a blog post about it. However, after 4 months of working for myself, I realize that this was quite possibly the best decision I have ever made. As a perfectionist, I believe in giving the A version of myself to whatever I’m working on, as opposed to being stretched thin and giving a B version of myself to several different things.

A lot of people have asked me how I knew that it was the right time. Truth is, I don’t think you suddenly know it’s the right time and stop feeling fear. Thankfully, I have extremely supportive parents who pushed me and assured that they would be my safety net in case it didn’t work out, but that was the last thing I wanted. I decided it was time for me to pursue my blog as a business because I evaluated my opportunities. I was making enough money to support myself, and knew (or rather hoped), that it would grow over time. More than anything, I felt like it was a now or never sort of situation. I was no longer at the point where I wanted to slave away at a job while slaving away on my blog and having no time for an actual life.

Since I started blogging full-time, I have been the happiest I’ve been in my life. I have been so lucky to have opportunities come my way that I could never even dream of, and most importantly, I have the privilege of working on my own schedule. I can work from essentially anywhere in the world, I have a hands-on job that doesn’t just require me to sit behind a desk for 9 hours a day; and as the saying goes ‘as you sow so shall you reap’, meaning that there is no glass ceiling of how far I can take my own brand. The hard work I put in pays me in kind and the opportunities are boundless.

To those of you considering whether to take your blog full-time, you are the best judge of your situation, but if it’s fear that’s holding you back, I highly suggest you tackle it head on. Bet on yourself, you’d be surprised where you can go.

Photography by Victoria Metaxas

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35 Comments

  3. Ela
    October 20, 2016 / 2:09 pm

    Congratulations, it must have been a really big step and I am so happy to hear that you made the right decision for yourself! Now knowing where it would take you is one of the fears, but once you know this is exactly what you want to focus on then you shouldn’t let the fear take the control! x

    Ela BellaWorld

  6. Margaret
    October 20, 2016 / 3:43 pm

    You are really girl! To have supportive parents and worked in Elle! And now as a full-time blogger! I love successful stories like this! Keep it up!

    xx Margaret
    http://www.maleemaleehong.com

  8. Tania
    October 20, 2016 / 4:29 pm

    Such a gorgeous look doll and love that you shot with Victoria, she is great. I’m thinking the same and may just follow your advice xx

    http://thelondonthing.co.uk/

  11. Saša Rakovec
    October 20, 2016 / 6:22 pm

    So happy to hear that you took the step! I hope I will do it in the future too!
    xx
    Sasha
    http://www.whatsashawears.com

  12. Didier
    October 20, 2016 / 7:29 pm

    Best outfit ever! Also I’m glad you took a leap and left your job at ELLE Canada because you are KILLING it as a blogger in Toronto!

    -Didier
    http://www.didieryhc.com

  14. Kelsey&Kenecha
    October 20, 2016 / 10:08 pm

    Beautiful look! 🙂

    Florals&Smiles

  15. Kasie Chelanne
    October 21, 2016 / 3:40 am

    That is such an awesome, brave leap you took Siffat! I have so much respect for you! Congratulations and keep up the very good work!

  18. Izabela
    October 21, 2016 / 9:00 am

    Congratulations on going full-time Siffat. Your blog is truly amazing. Fear often stopped me from doing things I wanted. I’m trying to change my mindset and go for things I always wanted.

    http://www.mydailywear.co.uk

  20. The Fashion Folks
    October 21, 2016 / 2:22 pm

    Congratulations! So so happy for you, that’s so awesome. Firstly that you decided to try it and secondly that you managed to be a full-time blogger succesfully! Xx

    http://www.thefashionfolks.com

  22. Catarine
    October 21, 2016 / 3:22 pm

    Siffat, you’re such an inspiration. Congrats on this new adventure.
    I’ve been dreaming of making my blog my full time job for a while now. Truth is sometimes is too hard to work on my job and on the blog at the same time. I feel that i have no life.
    Blogging is my happy place for sure. So, i wish i can make this step soon.
    Have a nice weekend, dear.
    lefashionaire.com

  24. Kathryn
    October 21, 2016 / 6:34 pm

    Thank you for sharing! Taking the leap can be quite scary, but I’m so glad you put fears aside and went for it.

    Kathryn • Simply KK

  25. Jessi Malay
    October 21, 2016 / 6:58 pm

    Loved reading this about you babe!! It takes a lot of courage to turn blogging into a full-time, especially when you already have an amazing job!! So glad you were able to take that leap of faith and stick to doing what you love <3

    XO, Jessi
    http://www.mywhitet.com/alica-olivia/

  26. chichi
    October 21, 2016 / 7:49 pm

    many congratulations on becoming a full time blogger! hope u always love it as much as u do right now!!love these pants so much!
    http://www.thestyletune.com

  31. Julia (The Velvet Runway)
    October 22, 2016 / 5:20 pm

    Congratulations! I can totally relate to the feeling of fear holding you back, so thank you for sharing this and being such a great inspiration!
    On another note, I love those pants!
    Julia x
    http://www.thevelvetrunway.com

  32. Edye
    October 23, 2016 / 3:12 am

    Your testament to committing to blogging was so inspiring! Blogging isn’t always the easiest thing in the world, but it is SO worth it. The friends, opportunities, and experiences are priceless <3

    Blessings,
    Edye | http://gracefulcoffee.com

  33. Raysa Garcia
    October 23, 2016 / 5:53 am

    You look fantastic! Love those pants on you babe.
    Xx, Raysa

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