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Being the introvert that I am, I have always been most comfortable expressing myself through writing. When I learned that ‘online journaling’, as I used to understand it, was a thing – I thought, hey, that’s something that I’d like to do! I never thought of it as a career path, though. Until I realized that I wasn’t on the traditional career path I once saw for myself.

Personally, I’ve dabbled in blogging once or twice, very informally – even bringing Shawn in at one time. We were both totally disgruntled at work, and also at the thought of the time, effort, and money we had both spent on higher education degrees that appeared to be, well, useless. That attempt at blogging was cathartic, but didn’t prove to be something we could carry past a good venting session.

Then I wondered … should I write a blog about being pregnant? I was definitely not the glowing type, and had a lot of thoughts on how unpleasant pregnancy was, and how no, I did not think too fondly of my yet unknown baby (don’t worry, I love her, and my two boys more than anything, and we all survived my pregnancies!). I wrote a few entries, and then found it much more satisfying to tell Shawn how everything was his fault.

How about the blog I added to the website for my feeding consulting service? (That one still exists, but I haven’t updated it in quite some time!). The ideas and love for writing have always been there. But what had been missing was both the motivation to put in the extensive time it takes to create and maintain a successful online presence, and also the know-how and tools to do that.

Shawn and I have always dreamed of being able to spend more time enjoying  life. More time together, and less time in cubicles or dependent on vacation days.

We love to travel, and to take our kids to new places, and we know that creating an online space to share our experiences can be a very satisfying way to foster that. We have the desire to travel. We have the ability to write – we tried to do it on our own. What’s been holding us back from success are two things: knowledge and courage.

It takes courage to put an exorbitant amount of time and energy into something when you are not sure what the payback will be.  And it takes knowledge to do it right. 

And we were missing a third thing, that I personally didn’t appreciate until finding it – a supportive group to go to for practical information and camaraderie.  

Just a few weeks ago I came across a Facebook sponsored ad for a free webinar on travel blogging, hosted by Heather and Pete Reese, of It’s a Lovely Life. Those of you who know me, know that I am not really a ‘fly by the seat of my pants’ gal, nor do I think anything is a ‘free lunch’. But, I was sort of in a personal rut – feeling rather inadequate in all areas of life (no one can relate, right?).  I needed something new to focus my energy on, and something that was going to make a change in our lives. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but eventually – with hard work and determination and …. courage. So I signed up for the free webinar.

And I LOVED it. The couple running it are not only adorable, but also super knowledgeable and easy to listen to. And what they offered in that free webinar was enough information to get me pumped up to believe that I can do what they are doing. Anyone can, really, with the right support, knowledge … and courage.

At the end of the free webinar, there was an opportunity to sign up for one of their courses, at a substantial discount. I’m not one to make rash purchases, but something told me this was the right thing to do. And I am so, so glad that I decided to sign up for their course. The first course I signed up for, and the subsequent ones I have taken all include so much useful information – but the best part is the online support offered via Facebook groups regularly moderated by It’s a Lovely Life staff (I’m assuming they are staff, I’m not positive though). That space is priceless.

Anywho, in every course they offer you a little something extra – some bonus tip, tool, or mini-course.

While I do feel like I am both in full time school and maintaining a full time job (also while home with 3 kids, a grandma, a caregiver and a partridge in a pear tree), I feel like it is preparing me to optimize what can become of Just Get in the Car.

If you’ve made it this far, and perhaps are looking for something new, I cannot recommend this course enough. What have you got to lose? You can start with their free 5 day start a money making blog course, and see what you think.

Have you ever ventured into something new and unknown? Have you ever taken a chance and had it work out better than you expected? Are you a blogger with an inspiring story? Tell us in the comments!