Josie’s Cottage is running a promotion through October 31, 2015! Save 15% on any item in my store by entering HALLOWEEN15 at checkout. I’ve added a number of new fabric coasters which are just perfect for stocking stuffers. Its not to early to get started on your holiday shopping. Click here to go to Josie’s Cottage on Etsy or click on the banner on the left.
Happy Halloween!
Amanda
Grocery bags are one of the dirtiest objects to ever set foot in our homes. This is especially true of the reusable variety commonly found at most markets. This is because few people rarely, if ever, wash them.
Most of us would agree that disposable plastic bags are terrible for the environment. We think we are doing a good thing by buying the inexpensive grocery store reusable bags and keeping them in the car for every trip to the store. Most people do not wash them, but simply throw them away when they get too dirty (so much or reducing our landfills). But have you ever tried to wash one of those reusable bags in the washing machine? They tend to disintegrate within a couple of washings leading them to end up in the landfill anyway.
This week, I used two of my handmade cotton bags at the grocery store, and not only was complemented on how strong they were, but thanked profusely for actually washing them. The stories the cashier told me about the things she’d seen come out of a customer’s bag made my skin crawl. Think about all of the bacteria on and in your grocery bags as they come in contact with the shopping cart, meats, veggies, etc. Not only are your exposing yourself and your newly purchases groceries to that bacteria, but the store employees who handle your bags are also being exposed.
The reusable bags that I make and sell on my Etsy store are a practical alternative. Yes, they are more expensive then the store purchased alternative, but they can easily be washed and reused many times over their alternative. This will eliminate the bacteria and keep them out of landfills. Isn’t it worth it to keep your family healthier, as well as the families of the store employees who handle them?
Earlier this year, I took a big risk. I jumped off a cliff. Not literally of course, but in a metaphorical sense, yes, I jumped off a cliff. I quit my job of 10 years. A job that had been both very good to me and at times very bad for me and my health. The job was safe and secure. I was plenty busy, too busy most of the time.
This was my first “real” job out of college. I was 24 when I started, just a baby! I had seen many people come and go of course, some friends and some foes. I had no less than 8 managers in 10 years. I had to move my desk six times; no window, window, window, no window, no window, dungeon, window.
I held several roles over 10 years, some of which led me to travel to New Orleans, Texas, Maryland, and lots of trips to Florida. Business travel is not glamorous. Though I did once spill a drink on a former CEO which was probably the highlight of my time in sales.
I can say with certainty that I did not hate my job. I certainly did not hate the people I worked with. What I hated about my job at the time that I left is that I felt that I could no longer be myself. I love to help people; customers, colleagues, teammates alike. I love to be creative in coming up with ways to help people. I like thinking outside the box. What I don’t like is being told to think outside the box and then being told that the original box is inside another box, and my ideas had to fit in between the tiny space between the two boxes. My creative mind was being suffocated.
The job related stress was negatively affecting my health. I was sick more than I was heathy. I was first diagnosed with MS in my second year at this job, and 8 years later, I could see the difference between where I was physically and mentally between then and now. No, I can’t attribute the disease progression directly to my job. I can’t attribute it to anything, other than that I just didn’t feel good.
It broke my heart to have to leave my team who I had hoped I could lead into the next chapter of the business. Some of these people I worked with for my full 10 years with the company and who taught me more about the business than they could ever know they did. People who I honestly, truly cared about and I’m sad that I don’t get to see them every day anymore.
I do know is that it was time for me to move on. It was time for me to put myself and my health first and take the leap. Yes, I quit my job without having another lined up which is exactly what you are not “supposed” to do in the business world. I had to do it for me. I had to do it for the sake of my creative mind which had been lost the last couple of years. I did it so I could start Josie’s Cottage and see where it takes me. Could have I have started Josie’s Cottage while working full time? Probably. But I wouldn’t have been happy. Thankfully, I have a wonderfully supportive husband who would move the earth for me if he could.
I will probably work in an office again, perhaps sooner than I’d like. But, I know I have options. The world is available to me including part time, or temporary work. I am far more open to new opportunities now than I was just six months ago.
Josie’s Cottage is my fledgling little business that I hope someday will be something big. For now it is my outlet. My little corner of the world where I can be as creative as I want to be. It is where I can choose to think outside of the box and not be restrained. It is where I can truly feel helpful to others and to myself.
I’ve just listed two brand new tote bag styles. This time I am inspired by Halloween and all the little ghouls and goblins who will soon be out trick or treating. There is nothing better to complete a Halloween costume then a handmade, unique reusable tote bag. These bags can be reused year after year and are completely washable.
Head on over to Josie’s Cottage on Etsy to see the new arrivals.
Happy Spooking!
