I run an online business. I am a mum to two boys who are "home educated". (I wish there was another name for this as they not educated at home - they are out and about, mostly, doing activities, meeting up with friends, going on walks, travelling - they are happy boys and have a sense of freedom about them.)
I pulled them out of school in December 2018, after wrestling with the idea of going travelling as a family, for many months. My business is portable and allows us the freedom to travel. I also had a strong dislike for school in general. I did have an attachment to the school - I liked some things about it. I hated other things about it. I didn't like "the system". I didn't like or agree with their behaviour policy. I didn't like teachers shouting at the pupils. But I did like the Senior Leadership Team. I thought they were forward thinking, even radical in their thinking. Their way was not entrenched. But they had a community of pupils and parents to deal with, which did not allow for much manoeuvre in some areas.
I'd done some work in the school and for the school and I'd worked with the local community to create an after school play street and with the local council to get a pedestrian crossing put in. I'd worked to make the school more child-friendly. I had an attachment myself to that community of people, absolutely - I'd felt a sense of belonging.
But I started asking myself questions, about how I wanted to live - I wanted more from my life - I wanted to feel more fulfilled and I wanted financial freedom - and I knew that what the children were learning in school was not congruent with my beliefs and how I wanted my sons raised - and I also asked myself, a lot, was staying there, in that community, a good thing for ME - would I be able to thrive, would my sons be able to thrive in that community of children, parents, teachers and other staff members?
Ultimately, the answer was no - I for one, felt stifled. The area, the school, the community mindset - I wanted something different and better for my family. I had a goal to achieve in my business and travelling was a part of that goal. And eventually, I decided, "Right - we're going on this trip for 4 months!!"
And off we went!
I started January 2018 starting an online business and I created a lot of success in business quite quickly and had successes across other areas of my life too, by implementing the concepts I had learned about in the personal development material I was studying. The personal development allowed me to make bold decisions including making that decision to quit my job, stop persuing my Master's degree and leave conventional schooling and community behind and to go travelling around the world with my family. It's taught me to bring my actions into alignment with my desired way of living, to achieve the things I want in my life. It's also taught me most things are a practice.
I started January 2019 travelling with my family from Atlanta, GA to Sydney Australia for a two month stint up and down the east coast - it was OUTSTANDING. My sons swam at the beach every single day. Our time in Australia was the highlight of our world tour for me.
2019 was a bit of a rollercoaster. We had an amazing time travelling. My dad died, suddenly and unexpectedly. I came within inches of finalising a divorce from my husband, but after some months, we both came to a decision to look and plan for a best case scenario and make that happen for our family. And to end the year I had my best month in business so far - $32,000USD profit in my business in December - an outstanding result, even if I do say so myself!
I have started January 2020 excited about the new year, this new decade, and what is in store for myself and my family.
I have had to deal with some challenging things and feelings already this year: I still feel sad about my dad's death last year. I know it's a process, this grief thing. I have had to ask myself some tough questions about the price I am willing to pay to achieve my BIG goals and take action - some of it uncomfortable - very uncomfortable. I've deleted some negative people from my life too this month - I was going round in circles with it in my mind, and as ever, as soon as I made the decision, I felt better and was clear that was the right thing to do. I am so grateful to have the tools to help me live my best life. I am fortunate to be able to use and apply the personal development concepts I have learned about during my entrepreneurial journey.
In 2020, I've got plans to expand my business, to travel more, more learning and personal development to do, more sharing of my experience to do, more time to spend with my sons, more time to spend with great friends, and to spend more time on fun and exciting things. We have trips planned to Thailand, to the States, to Germany and Canada so far... and possibly a trip to New Zealand and Australia later in the year! I am excited for what is to come! Happy 2020 everyone!
