Out of the Bedroom. Okay, okay. I know some of you – if not most – were hoping for some porn…or at least a little spice. Well, I can’t promise you either (but I will leave the door cracked, just in case ;-) What I can promise is an honest and in-depth look at the challenges faced by a real-life mother/wife/designer/businesswoman as I focus my energies on reaching my professional (and personal) goals.

That being said, let’s get started, shall we?

“When are you gonna get a real job?”
“You’ll go back to work when your kid starts school, right?”
“It must be fun working from home.”
“But you can do whatever you want – you work for yourself!”

Yup. I’ve heard ‘em all. Funny thing though – when business was great, and I was the main income provider, no one asked if I was going to get a “real job,” no one thought it was “fun working from home,” or that I could do whatever I wanted. Everyone just thought I worked hard and made good money. And they were right.

Fast forward to today. A lot has happened over the past few years to throw a monkey wrench into my plans of working hard and making good money. I had a baby…and while he was a good baby from day one, feeding him, changing him and just getting to know this new little person sort of took priority. I figured my clients would understand. Some did, some didn’t.

Then we moved. And not just a little move, but a big, pack-up-and-sell-the-house-
drive-across-the-country-with-a-dog-and-a-20-month-old-in-tow move. Good times. Again, I figured my clients would understand, and again, some did, some didn’t.

And then, a little more than a year after the BIG move, we moved again. This time it was within city limits, but it was a major downsizing. Which brings me to my current location – the bedroom. Granted it is the largest room in the place (which really isn’t saying much), but my God – I spend a good 20 hours a day in this ONE ROOM! Frankly, I need to get Out of the Bedroom!

So yeah, I could pack it all in and go get a “real job.” Believe me, I’ve thought about it…a lot. But the thing I just cannot get out of my head is that I did it once before. I was, in fact, a successful graphic designer, earning a more-than-comfortable living, and had a pretty solid reputation. If I did it once, then I can do it again, right? Right!

So now I’ve made the decision not only to rebuild my business and reclaim some of my former success, but to document it as well – for all to see. Please don’t let my calm demeanor and charming banter fool you – I’m TERRIFIED!

I’m terrified of actually putting my goals down on paper (real or virtual), as doing so seems to give them life, rather than just allowing them to remain thoughts in my head. And I’m terrified – and more than a little exhilarated – because by my committing to write this column for BoDo, I’ve committed to being accountable – not only to myself, but to the BoDo team, and anyone reading this.

To quote Ace Merrill (as played by Kiefer Sutherland) in Stand By Me, “This is big time, baby.” It’s time for me to put up, or shut up.

Join me next time, as I continue my journey Out of the Bedroom,
Tamar Wallace | Principal, TAMAR Graphics