After 2.5 years with RRC, I took a sabbatical THE WHOLE MONTH OF DECEMBER *insert feelings of excitement, stress, overwhelm, and peace*
If you’re thinking to yourself HOW, you’re not alone. I recorded a YouTube video all about:
– WHAT I WANT MY DECEMBER SABBATICAL TO LOOK LIKE
– WHAT I WANT TO GET OUT OF IT
– AND HOW
If you are wondering about the practicalities of taking such an adventure away from your business for an extended period of time, WATCH THIS VIDEO.
I’ve never taken extended leave from work, but I was hopeful that it would be worth every bit of the prep I put in, meetings with my assistant, having to say no, and the “missed” opportunities.
I prayed December would be a time in which I could finally SLOW DOWN after 2.5 years of trying to get ahead. And I am happy to report IT WAS! Below are some takeaways from my entrepreneur sabbatical and what I did (practically) during that time.
So what am I doing during this time? Trying to stop the comparison game. I am notorious for *copying*. 😲 Okay, okay let me explain!
When I was in elementary school and I got handed a coloring sheet I would ask for a blank piece of paper so I could trace. I loved “creating” something that was my own, yet also having it be perfect.
Then I went to college where my graphic design professor said all design REALLY is is copying others artwork and changing it. There are no original ideas.
This may have partial truth to it, but it led me down a bad path of looking at Pinterest whenever I needed logo inspiration. That is one of the reasons I cut logos from my packages and began just doing websites.
One actionable step I’m taking to combat this deeply rooted insecurity and belief? Creating graphics JUST FOR ME. I joined the Holly Jolly Design Challenge and Y’ALL! It is so much fun! Thanks Olivia Herrick Design for putting this on! Here are just a few of the prompts that I have ran away with:
Another thing I did during Sabbatical? CHRISTMAS MOVIES! I even used one of the HJDC prompts to create a ranked list of the Netflix Christmas movies. Need more details?! I’ve got you!
Let me preface this with I am partial to Hallmark movies. That being said, here is the best to worst Christmas movies on Netflix (just the ones in the above checklist):
Hey friend! I’m Bekah 👋
I’m the chatty friend who is always trying to get you to go on your next mountain adventure (my husband secretly loves it, I know). I fill my days with puppy cuddles from my GIANT Leonberger-doodle (it’s not a thing), Christmas playlists (tell me I’m not alone) and a fast-paced lifestyle.
So, why website design? My heart for orphans is actually what led me to starting a business. My passion for foster care fuels all my decisions in my personal life and corporate just wasn’t doing it for me. I wanted a business that let me give how I wanted to give and travel when I wanted to return to Honduras. 2.5 years ago Rebekah Read Creative was born and I haven’t looked back.
If you’d like to learn more about my story and how I bring a strategic process to my website designs, check out my website.
I’ve got messy hair and a thirsty heart.
I overshare my life, and have an ultra-expressive personality.
Elphaba from Wicked is kind of my alter-ego as I am always trying to forge my own path and make a difference in the World, somehow, someway, while also constantly criticizing myself and trying to become the better version of me.
Quality conversations + coffee come easy to me.
I’ve never had an issue connecting naturally with others (probs because I can go on and on about my life story, not that it is interesting, I just process externally, anyone else?!)