Last December, I quit. 

I closed the door on Pleasant Avenue Paper Co., my calligraphy business turned stationery shop turned soul-sucking creative pursuit. That’s right. By the time I called it quits, my happy hobby felt more like a chore. 

That’s when you know you’re done. 

Fast forward to this December. Here I am with a whole new creative gig. And I’ll tell you what – I’ve been asked some questions. Do I need the money? Did I get bored? Am I having an identity crisis? 

Darling, the answer is always. I’m a Gemini moon with ADHD and a shopping problem. 

All jokes aside, I want to advocate for a mindset shift. Quitting isn’t inherently bad – it’s not giving up, it’s not failing and it’s not permanent. 

Here’s what I learned from quitting my small business and why I 10/10 recommend setting yourself free and starting fresh.*

1. You make the rules

Did you know you can do what you want to? Chyeah. I know. This one surprised me, too. I discovered that I’m a grown woman and I make my own rules. This applies to how I run my new business. Who says you gotta lug around heavy tables to a zillion maker markets a year just to pay someone a $300 fee to be there? Who says? 

If you know me, you know I’ve got a lot of balls in the air … including graduate studies. I’m currently enrolled in an organizational behavior MBA course that comes with a lot (A LOT) of reading, especially about the most successful business philosophies out there. In “Work Rules,” HR leader of Google, Laszlo Bock, outlines dozens of risky, wild approaches the founders took at Google to make it the success it was today. Yeah, yeah. We all know about the nap pods and bicycles in the office. They’re not fantasies … at least not for the tech bros working there. 

But there was a time when the Google founders couldn’t get anyone to buy into their startup – let alone all the rules they set for running the business of their dreams. In fact, many of their ideas were considered absolutely bonkers. Did you know they let their team members give out “gThanks” bonuses of up to $175 with no oversight. They also ship in fresh groceries and provide onsite laundry. They don’t do annual performance reviews. They don’t set salary caps or pay bands. They let their teams spend 20% of their time in any way they want.

And guess what? They’re just fine. More than just fine. 

Be like Google. Hey, be like me. Make up your own rules. You’re the boss. 

2. You don’t need a reason

I mentioned earlier that I’ve been asked a lot of questions about my decision to close Pleasant Avenue AND about my decision to start Courtney Going Places. I’ve shared so many “whys” that I can’t keep track. And those whys change. To be honest, I’m not sure the whys became clear until I decided to write this blog.

Ultimately, I’ve learned you don’t need a reason to make a change. You can just have a feeling. You can just want to. 

I’ll bring you another story from my grad studies. In the book “Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader,”  author Herminia Ibarra shares how many wannabe leaders spend too much time thinking about what kind of leader they want to be. What’s my leadership philosophy? What’s my leadership style? What’s my 5 year plan? What are my leadership core values? 

But action can change behavior even faster than thinking. If you feel like making a change, that’s enough reason. Just do it. The actions that follow will help reshape your future without all the thought spirals and emotional weight of Meyers Briggs tests or pros and cons lists.

3. Other people’s opinions of you are none of your business

This one is easier said than done. Mostly, because people insist on sharing their opinions of you on the internet and through the grapevine. I’ve made a lot of decisions based solely on what I thought others would think of me. And there’s even more I didn’t do – simply because I was worried what you would think of me. 

“You” is used loosely here – but it’s vague on purpose. Who are we trying to impress? Our parents? Our high school bullies? Our bosses? Ourselves? Do we even know?

We are a feedback-obsessed society. We post on social and feed on the validation of likes. We’re reviewed at work – not only on performance but also our values. Are we “good humans”? We ask our friends and our partners, “How do I look? What do you think?” I’ve even asked my kiddo if he thinks I’m a good mom. I should know that without having to ask. 

Feedback can be a gift. But don’t allow unsolicited opinions hold you back from making your next move.

4. Being weird is more fun 

Now that I’ve made up my own rules, stopped trying to explain myself and put the haters on mute – I’ve realized being weird is way more fun.

Do you want to start a pet hair weaving business? Do it. Do you want to raise mini goats in the city? Do it. Do you want to rock handmade earrings shaped like your favorite food? Do it. Do you want to convert your spare room into a hydroponic vegetable garden? 

You know what I’m going to say: Do it. Being “weird” is more fun for you – and it’s more fun for all the people in your life who will be warmed by your inner weird light shining brightly.

Follow your heart. Do what you love. You can thank me later at the Official Quirky Girl Support Group (we meet the first and third Tuesday of every month at the cat rescue/coffee shop/cereal bar/speakeasy). 

Not really. But … wouldn’t that be fun? *Disclaimer: Do not apply my cheeky advice to any serious issues that doctors, lawyers, financial advisers, life partners and/or religious deities of your choice typically consult you on. Please and thank you.