Happy Birthday Stratejoy.com!

It’s been one year since this website went live!

One year since I quit my full time job to concentrate on birthing this baby.  One year of working towards a goal that many in my life thought impractical, frivolous, unimportant.  One year of working towards a goal that I know is exactly what I’m supposed to be doing.

Happy Birthday www.stratejoy.com!

You had me at hello…

When I think about it– a lot has happened in this last year.  I hosted my first Lifestyle Design Workshop in February, started a support community for the amazing women in our Tribe, spoke in front of hundreds of women at Girl Power Hour and lululemon, spent a summer working with some incredibly talented interns, facilitated a Life List Workshop (with men!), recruited and fell in love with four contributing bloggers, connected with many of “my people” via Facebook and Twitter, created the homestudy Joy Equation course and realized that I can totally do this.

In the middle of all that craze, I also kept up my love of traveling– heading to Santa Fe, Maui, San Diego, New York, Montana and Bali to celebrate weddings, families and just plain adventure.

I am grateful for all of it.  All of the butterflies, all of the late night writing, all of the learning curves, all of the support.  And most of all?  I’m grateful for all of you.  Yes, you and you and you.

Thank you.

You have been part of this adventure.  And hopefully, I have been part of yours.  This “Tribe of Gutsy Girls” is strong and growing stronger each day. I get the excited wiggle when I think about what’s in store for all of us in the upcoming year.

Of course, it hasn’t been all peaches and cream. Working for and supporting yourself has been harder than I ever imagined.  In my 29 years, I’ve never had to deal with so many insecurities, so much fear of failure, such little confidence that I’m doing things “right”…

One of our fabulous Tribe members, Holly, posted this quote on Facebook this week.

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow.”  – Mary Anne Radmacher

It reminded me that being “gutsy” isn’t always big and bold and out loud.  That even when I feel overwhelmed with the task ahead of me, getting up each day and moving forward bit by bit is courageous.  That I am being brave because I’ve committed to what brings me joy, even when it’s hard.

And you know what?  I’m learning.  I’m stretching.  I’m growing.  Perhaps I can even say, I’m coming into my own.  And in that growth, I get to witness and support YOUR growth.  Your exploration.  Your attempts to navigate an authentic life.

It’s been amazing.  It will continue to be so.

Here’s to another year of clarity, inspiration, camaraderie,  adventures, tom foolery, finding flow, rockin’ out and being authentic!