Monday Matters: What would you do differently if you weren't afraid?

[Former_Member]

A few years ago a close friend asked, “Have you done anything brave lately?” The question caught me off guard and felt a bit unusual. I’m sure I came up with a silly answer, but as I continued to think about that question over the next few days, it became more of an inspirational challenge to move beyond my own fears.

So I’d like to ask that question in a slightly different way: What would you do differently if you weren’t afraid?

Would you learn something new? Are there things you would change about your shop? What new items would you make? Would you travel to a new place?

[TinyHeadsThreads]

2 years ago I did a brave thing and left everything I knew and moved to be close to my daughter and her family.
i lived my whole life(53 years) in NY and relocated to Virginia! it's had some low points(miss my friends) and high points(daily interaction with my granddaughter)
Trying to find a new decent auto mechanic is not fun.....

[ArtistiKat]

LOL! I "quit my day job" a few years ago and opened up my Etsy shop.
Its been interesting so far and I've learned a lot. In fact, I'm still learning.
Wouldn't trade it for anything. I love what I do.
;)

[Former_Member]

I think you get to a certain age and you cease to be afraid of trying because you realise you have nothing to lose by trying, and time moves too quickly to not give it a go. When you are young you don't realise how quick your life will be and you think you have forever to do things...

[PaperPlanePrints]

I'd paint more. I've sold paintings in the past, but the process was so much more complex than the digital art that I create and sell currently. Even having sold a few paintings, I still have many that haven't sold. If I wasn't afraid of having a tremendous amount of inventory sitting around, I'd paint more often and sell my paintings in person.

[MaryPowDesigns]

I've been doing tiny brave things that I might not have otherwise done ever since I started my business. I'd love to try some larger brave things, but they are complex and time-consuming and unfortunately I don't have much time to dedicate to those big things that I'd like to conquer.

I agree with Yvette, when you are young, you think you have all the time in the world. As you age, you realize it's now or never, but your time is also filled with all sorts of responsibilities and obligations. It becomes very difficult to try to balance all those things you must do (earn money, take care of your kids, run your household, etc) with the things you wish you could do.

When I was young, I never envisioned how complicated life would get. Not only that, but life speeds up and you suddenly see that you won't have time for all the things you thought you would get to do "someday". Luckily, you also get wiser and smarter and can probably work more efficiently. I recently heard that on average, you are at your most creative at around age 40-50!

[Former_Member]

You are right Mary, things are more complicated now! Very hard to balance everythin, and time is precious! I am 42 so I hope I am at my most creative now!

[Former_Member]

I did a big brave thing 11 years ago when, after a few decades of working for someone else, I started my own small web design business. I felt like I had jumped off a cliff and was building my net on the way down. After that, it was a bit easier to start various online shops, including four shops on Etsy.

Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is doing something despite the fear.

Great book - "Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway"

[Former_Member]

I recently moved out of my family home to go to University. I am learning how to balance schoolwork, social life, and my shop. Moving out, in my opinion, is the bravest thing I've ever done because I have left everything I've known to start fresh.

[Babageacrea]

Last year my husband and I, we moved from Italy to USA for business. At the age of 55 with two grown children left in Italy, it was a hard decision to take, but here we are!

[Former_Member]

So many brave moments! I've loved reading your stories and bits of wisdom in this thread!

[PixieHearts]

Something brave, hm, well I just graduated and with my colleagues applying for corporate jobs, I've decided to jump in with both feet and pursue my Etsy shops. :)

[IvoryCatCreations]

I have lived in five different states, owned four businesses (all different venues) worked in the market place and dredged for gold in the Sierra Nevada mountains. But never had the courage to really pursue my best loved art form, painting.

[Former_Member]

I just got back on Etsy after 4 years of fighting with multiple sclerosis. During this time I learned to sew better. But also to live better. I appreciated what you gave me life. My family is even closer to me. Now I make toys, and I know that it is good energy in them. Sometimes in life you have to stop to begin to live again.

[1820BagCo]

I haven't done my brave thing yet, but am preparing for 2Q - 2015. My family is against it, but I am moving forward....

[Former_Member]

Five years ago I lost my job when my company closed its doors. I went back to school and got a certificate for Landscape Design. Two years later my husband lost his job of 20 years and ultimately we lost our home. But, life is good, we started over, relocated to South Bend IN, where my oldest son and two grandsons live. Life is a learning experience, expect the unexpected. Our lives have moved in a different direction and we are exploring new possibilities, like opening an Etsy shop. My husband and I love to hunt for Vintage and Antique treasures and give them a new home. This is the perfect place to do that. I look forward to being a part of this community and making another new start.

[PrairiePrimitives]

Not lately that I can think of. However, nearly 18 years ago, I quit a job that I'd had for many years and moved 2300 miles cross-country from the Midwest to California.

[MorgaineLeFay]

About a year ago I did something very brave. Not sure of how anything would turn out I moved to Chicago to learn and do improv and it has been a wonderful year. I took a chance and found a form that keeps me laughing for hours and a community that supports my every idea and endeavor and it is amazing.

My next brave move will be to work for myself. Now that I am happy and settled I want to tinker and try out all the ideas percolating in my head and more time for my creative work.

[HoneyThistle]

Thus far, the bravest thing I've done is to quit my corporate job which paid pretty well to go back to school and learn to become a high school teacher. It's going to be a long road since employment opportunities are minimal right now in this field where I live... but I really want to make this work!

[thejewelseeker]

Add Vintage Fashion Clothing to my shop - I love, collect, sell and love to research the history of vintage jewelry, but I know very little about vintage fashions, how to take good pictures of them, how to clean them prior to selling...it would be a huge learning experience, and quite an investment....I'm AFRAID!!!

[NataBurgos]

I think that this year the bravest thing that I've done is traveling solo in Moscow. I love the thrill of journeys, specially in very exotic and unknown places for me.
I hope that in the next years I can make to India or Vietnam.

[PETCREATIONSBYJANE]

Many years ago, I was talking with my Grandmother and I asked "What did she do that day" Her reply was "I got up and moved from one chair to another". She was 93 when she passed. That made me pause and I think. Yes, I have done dumb things and taken chances, but I vowed I would be like the saying I believe from Maxine: That I would exit this world Kicking and screaming "What A Ride!"
On Aug 12, 2012, I opened an Etsy shop selling dog collars. What a learning experience! I now have over 300 pet products and have sold in France, Australia, and Canada. BTW I am 63 years old and having the time of my life!

[Former_Member]

What an amazing collection of stories. I loved reading them and will come back again and again for more. I moved, married, had children, worked several different types of jobs but never really considered myself brave for doing it - just putting one foot in front of the other. My shop is a result of knitting too much and not having any grandchildren to give the items to. But it has been a great creative outlet for me. Retirement is almost within reach - now what for the next phase of life...... that will be my brave moment.

[BlueRidgeMercantile]

Try sky diving!