Start a new life… professionally

by ⋅ 64 Comments

In a way, it was literal for me #StartANewLife. In this case, it was a new professional life. As a person, I have been passionate and committed to my professional work. I was a Marketing professional who thoroughly enjoyed her brand management stint. Then, I was married and moved to US. The work sabbatical stretched when I had my first born. When he was about a year old, I had the itch to work. I tried out Medical Transcription. I completed the training successfully and got a job. It was a BPO job that required me to work in shifts. It took a huge toll on me. Though my husband was supportive, my toddler son was finding it very hard to cope with my weird timings. He would often be up way past his bedtime wailing for mamma.

That is when I decided to quit as managing everything – the home, a young child and a high-pressure job was driving me insane. I was really unhappy. Yes, the urge to work was still there within me. I guess, somewhere deep down my professional work brings me immense pleasure and satisfaction. Yet again, when my son was about 3 years old, I decided to teach. I taught for a year. That was a demanding job as well more so because my husband was traveling a fair deal back then. I had to handle a small child, work and home which was even more difficult in my husband’s absence. Like a zombie, I went about my day. I did not know when the morning got to evening. At least, I was in the same school as my son. But the days when he got sick were the worst. Sometimes, I had to tag him along even when sick. It made me feel so guilty that I was a really bad mother.

I realized that I could not continue in this manner. It was not fair to all of us. So, I quit after a year with a heavy heart. I had enjoyed teaching and was already pursuing my B.Ed which I now dropped. I then had my second child. That nagging feeling to work professionally was there in the pit of my stomach rearing its head again and again. This time I was sure that I would not take up full-time work till my children were young. I wanted to be around to enjoy their childhood. I wanted to be around when they came back from school. There was no way I could have managed a 9 to 6 job with hours of commute and done all that.

In a fit of boredom, I started my blog in 2008. Yes, the same one that you are reading now. 🙂 Little did I know that it was a stepping stone to a new professional life to me. Slowly and painstakingly, I built my career in Content Writing and blogging.

The journey was not easy, but it was on my own terms.

Now, I have two blogs that are monetized. I also have a slew of clients from across the globe in this crowded world of writing. I have won awards, accolades and friends. I have a lot of pride and satisfaction in what I have achieved and learned along the way. And, I get offers every day for full time opportunities. Maybe, I will take them up someday when the kids are older. Maybe not!

I am also a co-owner of a Technology startup. Who would have known that life would take such a turn? After graduation in Chemistry and an MBA in Marketing, I am now a professional Content Writer and loving it to the hilt.

Life it amazes you. It also strengthens my belief that if you put in hard work and are committed to achieve something, you will succeed. I take great pride in both my work as a mom and wife as well as professional work that I do as a work-from-home mom.

You can have it ‘all’ if you know how to tweak that ‘all’!

 

Posted in: Memoirs, Musings, Sponsored Post, Women, Work ⋅ Tagged: , , ,

64 Thoughts on “Start a new life… professionally”

  1. Prasad Np on March 10, 2015 at 3:24 pm said:

    Life is about change and continue to reinvent one both personally and professionally. Good to see that you are enjoying your new Avatar more than ever..All the best

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  2. Swati Bassi on March 10, 2015 at 3:24 pm said:

    Where there’s a will there’s is a way.
    With dedication you have smartly carved a niche for you, Which is must for every women.
    Warm Wishes!!!!!!

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  3. Shilpa Garg on March 10, 2015 at 5:06 pm said:

    It is never too late to start a new life. Glad that it worked out so well for you, eventually! 🙂

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  4. Lata on March 10, 2015 at 5:09 pm said:

    Rachna, I always feel inspired when I read your journey. Atleast you tried out so many things and kept at it. Many people would give up after the initial few tries. But persistence is a rewarding trait.

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  5. nabanita on March 10, 2015 at 5:26 pm said:

    I think for me ‘You can have it ‘all’ if you know how to tweak that ‘all’!’ is a mantra I’d like to follow…Hopefully I can juggle everything too Rachna…I guess I need to have the will and it will all work out 🙂

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  6. Weekend-Windup on March 10, 2015 at 7:08 pm said:

    Congratulations for your success. Keep going…

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  7. Inderpreet on March 10, 2015 at 7:11 pm said:

    Wow! That is quite a leap, you are amazing to have stuck on and succeded. Hats off!
    Can’t keep a good person down! 😀

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  8. C. Suresh on March 10, 2015 at 7:31 pm said:

    One point of difference now – I always hungered NOT to work, till I retired. NOW my hunger is satiated 🙂

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  9. Vishal on March 10, 2015 at 8:49 pm said:

    It takes a lot of courage to leave something you really enjoy for the sake of family. And probably not knowing whether something better indeed will come out of it or you will be stuck with mundane household chores…

    Then again, you have proved that life is not about what you’ve got, but about what you make of what you’ve got! Way to go!

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  10. Bilna Sandeep on March 10, 2015 at 8:58 pm said:

    I am exactly undergoing the same situation!! With my hubby traveling extensively, I had tough time managing home and work! Later I made up the decision to quit my job! I too started a blog to keep myself engaged with the happenings around the world. But I see myself getting serious about it..

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  11. Vidya Sury on March 10, 2015 at 10:24 pm said:

    You know Rachna – you are right. I believe we need to tell our stories again and again – each time I think of how I reached where I am today, I see a different facet of it. And that’s where it becomes more fulfilling. Very inspiring, your story. Like you, even though I know parts of it – it is always touching to read it again. Many hugs back!

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  12. Sid on March 10, 2015 at 11:40 pm said:

    You are a thorough professional, Rachna. And that shows in every journey that you have undertaken in life. It takes an immense (and often insane) amount of courage to go against the tide and pave your own path to success. And you rightly said, it feels good to stick to the naysayers.

    May you continue to reach and conquer more pinnacles of success and be a role model for all.

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    • Rachna on March 11, 2015 at 6:13 pm said:

      Well said, Sid. It is not easy. The judments, the personal frustrations, the dismay. But I guess we make it work out. Thank you for your warm words.

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  13. Shantala on March 11, 2015 at 1:21 am said:

    Rachna, this post really struck a chord with me. I can relate to this as I have been in a similar situation. I did my MBA in Finance and worked for a few years in Investment Research. Moved to US post marriage and visa restrictions did not let me work in the country. Then I had my son and the sabbatical continued. I did start my blog as a creative outlet and also hope to join the workforce when my son starts schooling. Thank you for sharing your story. It gives me hope. Thank you.

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    • Rachna on March 11, 2015 at 6:17 pm said:

      I am sure you will be fine, Shantala. If you have someone at home like an elder it is easier to get back to a conventional job. You are not stressed about your child then.

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  14. Priya on March 11, 2015 at 12:50 pm said:

    Well written, Rachna!! I guess most of can relate to each other’s stories and get inspired too. 🙂

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  15. Rekha on March 11, 2015 at 2:35 pm said:

    Most stories I read on this campaign are about quitting job. Having boarded the train recently I hope to make it meaningful and enjoy it too.

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  16. Alok Singhal on March 12, 2015 at 2:27 am said:

    You story resembles Saru’s. She also worked in India; but then after we came to US, she wanted to pursue her hobby, writing. And i think it suits her innate skills as well.

    Happy to know that you are doing so good…better to be a good mother than to work full-time.

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    • Rachna on March 12, 2015 at 2:04 pm said:

      Thank you, Alok. I guess for me it was important to be a good mother as well as a good professional. With a full-time job, I couldn’t do justice to both. Hence I figured out a middle path that let me enjoy my work and yet devote time to my children. I am glad it worked out in the end. Saru is a fantastic writer. I am sure, she can easily branch out into professional writing if she so wishes.

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  17. jaishvats on March 12, 2015 at 5:20 am said:

    I have called it quits and am a Stay at Home now but yes, I long to get back into some professional life… This is inspiring…

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    • Rachna on March 12, 2015 at 2:06 pm said:

      It is a longing that hits you at every juncture in life. At least, it hit me that way. I guess when the desire is that strong and one is practical as well, the options are achievable. Thanks for reading, Jaish.

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  18. Raj on March 12, 2015 at 12:48 pm said:

    Mine is a similar story, except that it was my passion that drove me to become a professional blogger. In fact, there was so much pressure on me not to quit my previous career! I have somehow managed after failing for quite some time. At last I can call myself a professional (I guess). May our tribe of professional writers increase! 🙂

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    • Rachna on March 12, 2015 at 2:02 pm said:

      God bless, Raj! Amen to that thought. Yes, I can imagine that it must be very difficult. It is never easy to give up a set path and embark upon the unknown. Glad you followed your passion and then persisted till you succeeded.

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  19. Aparna George on March 12, 2015 at 2:28 pm said:

    It was great to hear about your journey Rachna, more power to you in your chosen new profession! I happened upon writing by chance, but it has been really good to me too :).

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  20. Bhavana Rao on March 12, 2015 at 2:28 pm said:

    You should be really proud of yourself for balancing your life this well. This post has come out in the right time for me 🙂 Even though I have not worked with you at all, but I can feel from here itself that you are a through professional all along. Just do what makes you happy.
    🙂

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    • Rachna on March 12, 2015 at 2:50 pm said:

      Thank you so much, Bhavana. Your warm, encouraging words mean a lot. Hope your sabbatical does you good and takes you on an amazing journey of self discovery and happiness.

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  21. The Girl on March 12, 2015 at 4:32 pm said:

    That’s inspiring! Your writing is breezy yet it has words/sentences you can learn from added here and there. Would love to read about your journey from a simple blogger to a professional content writer 🙂

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  22. Rahul on March 12, 2015 at 9:28 pm said:

    Reinventing ones potential is very satisfying! Inspiring, Rachna:)

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  23. Asha on March 12, 2015 at 10:59 pm said:

    It was so heartening to read about your dedication Rachna ! Very true..where there’s a will there’s a way ! Good luck to all your future endevours.

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  24. Beloo Mehra on March 13, 2015 at 10:18 am said:

    Well written, Rachna. It takes great courage to change one’s professional path and find satisfaction and happiness in new opportunities. You have done very well and are enjoying the benefits of your sincere and hard work. Best wishes for all the new things that await you in years to come.

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  25. KP on March 13, 2015 at 8:59 pm said:

    What more can I add to the several encomiums showered on you. except to salute you for your hard work and success.May you achieve more .

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  26. Shailaja on March 14, 2015 at 11:55 am said:

    Very well written, Rachna. I love your last line the best: knowing how to tweak it to circumstances is very important. So proud to know you as a fellow blogger and warm friend.

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  27. Usha Menon on March 14, 2015 at 8:55 pm said:

    Rachna, this is a very inspiring story of dedication,will power and conviction.With your will power you have achieved so much. Your husband and the kids are fortunate that you gave them attention and also made a mark as a working mom.Way to go,Rachna.

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  28. The Fool on March 15, 2015 at 2:50 pm said:

    Good to read about your life. You have experimented and then eventually planned things nicely and done pretty well for yourself.

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  29. Found In Folsom on March 17, 2015 at 12:30 am said:

    I remember reading this post before, did you post it previously? or was it a diff one? Anyway, happy for you for the path you chose didn’t turn bad and makes you happy 🙂 Not all of us are happy with our jobs all the time. If not for blogging, how would I have known you? 🙂

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  30. Vishal Bheeroo on March 17, 2015 at 10:13 am said:

    Hi Rachna, can understand how tough it can get with children at a very young age. Interesting to read about your journey in life and how you turned into advantage through the blogs. Blogging has worked wonder for me.

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  31. Ashwini CN on March 17, 2015 at 10:57 pm said:

    So inspiring 🙂 So women can have it all 🙂 (if they know how to manage, that is!)

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  32. Saru Singhal on March 18, 2015 at 12:00 am said:

    Writing is a boon in many ways. I think I have told you how much I appreciate your time/house/family/blog management.

    More power to you!

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Do not leave without commenting. I love a good conversation :).

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