Why I won’t quit my daydream (plus an upcoming trip with Rust-Oleum)

About five years ago, I discovered blogs. I remember stumbling upon Sarah’s (Thrifty Decor Chick) dining room redo after googling “chocolate brown dining room” images. Her space was one of the first photos that popped up. In her post, she shared every detail from her molding techniques to the paint color on the walls. I.was.hooked!

Two years later, in July 2011, I started my own blog. After all, I’d been DIYing stuff since I was a kid. I remember, at age 8, sewing together Barbie clothes out of scrap fabric using my mom’s sewing machine. And I’m not sure if poring over room photos in JCPenney catalogs and rearranging bedroom furniture weekly is typical behavior for 9-year-old girls, but it was normal for me.

Making ugly things beautiful (and occasionally beautiful things ugly) 😉 is simply part of my DNA. It’s what I was born to do. It’s my calling, this whole Living Rich on Less thing. And that’s why I stick with it. Because, frankly, if it wasn’t a “deep down in my guts” dream to do this for a living, I would have quit a long time ago. Heck, I still think about quitting at least once a week, in spite of the dream.

Blogging is way more difficult than most people realize, especially in the DIY/home niche. Not only are we required to photograph stuff and write quality content, but we also have to actually do projects … often really hard and time-consuming projects.

Blogging does generate income, if you stick with it long enough. But it definitely won’t be the easiest or quickest buck you’ve ever made. You have got to love this gig … like, sweating-in-the-heat, paint-on-your-face, back-aching, on-the-verge-of-tears-over-a-thrift-store-dresser kind of love.

But every time I think about how bonkers I am for doing this, I get a little encouragement from somewhere (or someone) letting me know I’m on the right track. My most recent pick-me-up came from the folks at Rust-Oleum.

Blogger-innovation-summit

They invited me to Chicago to attend a blogger innovation summit, where I’ll have the opportunity to tour the Rust-Oleum manufacturing, research and development facilities; work with some brand new products; and more.

This will be a much-needed mommy break for me. I’ll be putting on my big-girl pants (aka something other than paint-splattered sweat pants), acting like a professional, and maybe even doing my hair for a few days. I know. Rare.

Rust-Oleum and I have been BFFs for awhile, so I’m pumped to see what they’ve got coming down the pipeline.

Remember the dumpster-bound patio table redo?

DIY-patio-set

What about the Great Outdoor Fan Renovation?

Fan-before

Oil-rubbed-bronze-outdoor-fan-After

How about the knockoff Tuscan-style planters?

Knockoff-planter-graphic-2 Or the master bathroom cabinet redo?

Rust-Oleum-cabinet-transformation-environmental

Yea. Me and Rust-Oleum go way back.

So I’m over-the-moon excited for this trip and I’ll be sure to share all the details of the event with you.

In the meantime, what is your daydream? Do you ever feel like quitting? What keeps you motivated? I’d love for you to leave me a comment with your feedback.

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15 Responses

  1. Cindy says:

    Yes, I can relate. Since I’m pursuing my dream on top of the full-time job still, my undereye bags have undereye bags. This Rust-Oleum Summit sounds like an amazing opportunity! I’m envious for me and super excited for you, Susan! I can’t wait to hear your recap. xo

  2. This is so cool! I am so happy for you! Whoot

  3. Kala says:

    That sounds like a lot of fun! I’m jealous. Can’t wait to read about your experience! 🙂

  4. Looking forward to meeting you there! 🙂 Going to be so much fun!

  5. Congrats! Have an awesome time and bring back lots of tips! 🙂

  6. marianne says:

    Envy is the word, wish I was going with you. Have put aside my small crafting for furniture and am thoroughly enjoying it. My husband thinks I’m nuts. But alas it takes time, effort and hard work and what you begin to do with an idea in mind, turns out to being something more unique and takes on a life of its own. Am loving the old wood and paint!!

  7. Peggy says:

    Yea, Susan! You give me hope! Don’t quit!

  8. How exciting for you Susan! Having a company I love fly me somewhere like this is definitely on my blogging bucket list!

  9. What a great post. You capture the exact feelings I feel on a weekly (heck, daily) basis about this whole blogging thing. Just when I’m ready to throw in the towel, amazing companies like Rust-oleum contact us! Susan, it was really fantastic to meet you yesterday and today! I would even go so far to say you were a ‘highlight’ of the event!

    🙂 Linda

  1. October 6, 2014

    […] Why I won’t quit my daydream (plus an upcoming trip with Rust-Oleum) […]

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