I turned 23 this weekend and just like that I was a freelance illustrator. Kidding, that’s not exactly how it went.

This weekend was my birthday so I didn’t work. I actually hadn’t worked on my business for a good week and a half. I was dealing with some other things. I thought about my work everyday like I have for the past seven months. It’s constantly on my mind, not in a bad way, but I just needed to put it down for awhile. Mainly because I knew I was going to be full time soon and I wanted to be refreshed and excited for the first week.

My birthday came and went and it was fine. It wasn’t a big deal which is a different style for me. I spent a large chunk of the day by myself, something I would’ve never done a year ago. I spent the other part of my day with fabulous people that have helped me become who I am. I reflected on the growth I have made as a person in the last year because it was a huge year for me. Sometimes I wish I could take my former self out to lunch and slap her in the face, give her a hug and buy her a cup of coffee because she needed all of those things badly but what she needed most was her art. Art was not a part of my life a year ago and I am fairly certain that is what my soul was desperately searching for. To this day, I still get confused, lonely and experience deeply sad moments just like everyone else. But I have found that if I channel that energy into art, I can create beautiful things from life’s saddest moments and that is something I will always treasure.

I hope I never get so caught up in what other people are doing that I don’t do what my soul needs.

1// Morning research. First day freelancing and it was a success. added 3 new products here, here and here

2// Winter. I’m done.

3// Breakfast in bed will be a thing for me from now on. I am choosing to start my work day around 1pm and end it at 1am.

4// Always dreaming about my farm. someday…

5// Cozy coffee and cake break.

6// My gals are in store at The Paper Hat on 50th and Penn.

7// Weekend birthday shopping at Free People.

8// Happy Birthday donuts delivered to my apartment. The best.

9// Brunch at Wise Acres Eatery and catching up with a best friend.

10// My old ballet shoes and a tie dyed poncho on display.

11// Stumbled upon pictures from my adventure to Japan while searching for inspiration.

I hope you will follow along with me as I navigate my first few weeks of freelancing. If you have any tips for me on how to stay organized, focused or inspired please let me know. I am currently reading The Freelancer’s Bible…any other suggestions?