I’ll apologise that firstly, this is not a Halloween post and secondly, that this post is rather wordy and a bit over personal.Β So to balance it all out, I’m going to intersperse all the text with some pretty pictures of interiors because that’s just how I roll.Β Β They’ll have nothing to do with what I’m saying, mind you.Β But you can never have too many pretty pictures of interiors.
So a few things have happened of late that all sort of interlink a bit so I’m going to have to over-explain a couple of things just so it all makes some kind of sense.
I don’t talk about my secular work too much on this blog, not because it isn’t important to me but it didn’t really fit with the theme of my blog and I like to keep the focus on interiors around here.Β Also, Swoon Worthy has always been what I did for fun.Β And work – while interesting – was always something I did to pay the bills and keep my home in ‘pretties’.
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Until very recently (last week to be precise), I worked as a Product Manager for a large automotive classified website.Β If you live in the UK, you will know it very well.Β In fact, there’s a good chance you probably purchased your last car through it.Β Part of the work I did was on the social media side of things – being the person behind the Facebook posts, Tweets and editorial on the B2B side of the website.Β I was there for just over 3 years and the job changed quite a bit during that time.Β I’ve always been quite happy for change and adaptable but it did feel as though the ‘creative element’ of my job was shrinking which is sometimes what happens the closer you get to the ‘core’ of business.Β It becomes less emotive and more black and white.
When news last month came that they were restructuring my department and we were going to have to lose one of the Product Managers, both myself and my colleague were told we were under consultation. In the UK, this means essentially that your job is at risk and you may be laid off.Β This is never great news in any circumstance but I understood the reasons behind it and it gave me a chance to reassess.Β I asked myself if this job was something I saw myself doing for years.Β If the progression from Product Manager to Senior Product Manager to Product Director was where I wanted my career to be headed.
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When I got home from work on the day I found out, I did what most normal people would do.Β I poured myself a very large glass of wine and had a look at what the job market was like out there.Β One of the very first jobs I stumbled across piqued my interest.Β A lot.
After an incredible amount of thought and deliberation and discussion with W, I decided to take fate into my own hands.Β Instead of the business having to choose between myself and my colleague, I stepped forward, explained my reasons and asked for voluntary redundancy.Β This meant my colleague would automatically get the job and I would automatically get the redundancy.
Because I had been working with the company for over 3 years (and because all in, they are a good company to work for), I received a very good redundancy package, enough to keep me going for at least a good few months while I looked for work.Β It was risky but looking at the job market for my sector (my background is in Marketing), I felt pretty confident I’d find something even if that job I stumbled across initially didn’t work out.
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That job I found on my very first day of looking I knew in my heart of hearts, was pretty much perfect for me.Β Believe me, I know I got lucky.Β I know the job market is tough out there.Β I believe that because of the very varied work I’ve done over the last 10 or so years, I have a lot of transferable skills and that certainly helped.Β In fact, I had a job offer my very first day of unemployment for another job in social media which in the end, I ended up passing on.
I had a phone interview and two face to face interviews with the company over the past month and I could tell that they responded to me as much as I did them.Β This was a company that was embracing a digital future, that treated their employees fairly (in fact, it ranked #5 in the Best Companies to Work for in the UK by the Sunday Times), that treated their customers incredibly well.Β This was a company that I knew that I would love to work for.Β And I think they loved me too.
Because I found out this week that I got the job.
My official title is Lifestyle Blog Editor.
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Seriously, I am not even making this shit up.Β They wanted someone that had editorial and social media experience on a secular level but who also had interior design blogging skills.Β It couldn’t have been a better match.Β They loved my blog.Β They poured through my Pinterest boards.Β They knew I had a passion for this stuff because it was all there in the public eye.
They made me a great offer that I couldn’t refuse.Β My gamble of leaving a good, solid job that just didn’t speak to my heart anymore paid off.Β Not only am I going to be back to work less than 3 weeks after finishing my last day in my old job but I’m going to be doing what I love.Β Blogging.Β Creating a sense of community.Β Talking about interiors!
Also? I still have my redundancy money.Β So that means I have a few quid knocking about that I can pay off some bills and treat myself and my home to a few treats.Β And of course, we’ll have a very nice Christmas out of it too.
I’m still kind of dumb struck if I’m honest.
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The truth is, I wouldn’t have even been considered for this job if it weren’t for the success of Swoon Worthy and I have my amazing readers to thank for that.Β Seriously, I can’t express how much the continued support of the blogging community and the very cool readers that visit frequently or occasionally means to me.Β So, when I start the new job, I’m going to be asking (pretty please with sugar on top) for your support.Β Again.Β Because seriously, you guys rock my world and I don’t want to do this without you.
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I don’t intend to give up Swoon Worthy – it’ll still be about my home and my projects but the ‘work’ blog will take things beyond just myself to the world around us – new designers, inspiration and covering what’s happening in British design.Β I’ll also be expanding to other topics, including food and recipes and I’ll have guest posters and interviews and video content.Β Excited is not even the word.Β And I think you guys are gonna love it too.
I’ll be sharing more about what’s happening and more importantly WHERE it’s happening ever so soon.
In the meantime, I have another announcement that’s pretty rocking cool as well.Β Stay tuned.
CONGRATULATIONS! How fantastic, it really must have been fate! There is truth in the saying of 'one door closing and another one opening', right? Very happy for you, big hugs xo
Congratulations! It's amazing how life works sometimes. I'm very excited for you and can't wait to hear more about your new job once you start~
Congratulations! I wish you all the best for your new job!<br />Your job sounds great!!<br />I hope your family and friends in the USA are o.k. <br />A big hug to you<br />Sonja
OH WOW!!!! i am so happy for you! congratulations!!!
Omg!!! Congratulations!!!! So excited for you and a bit jelly….just to keep it real. Lol. Can't wait to stalk you in another place!!<br /><br /><br />xo. Patience<br /><br />whitelacquer.blogspot.com
Amazing! well done x
sooooooooooo happppppppppy<br /><br />for<br /><br />you, lovely!<br /><br />what a perfect fit, and way to parlay your passion into work that pays.<br /><br />they are so lucky to get one of my favorite bloggers!!!!<br /><br />you go.<br /><br />michele
WAHOO!!! I cannot think of anyone who deserves it more – you are gonna rock this job girl! I can't wait to start reading. And if they ever tell you you need to get an assistant, you know where you can find me. :) Taking a chance and going with your gut – a winning combo. Cheers!
Congratulations! Looking forward to hearing more as your new venture begins. Xx
Thank you so much Claire! xxx
That's awesome news. I'm really, really thrilled for you! Wow! You must feel like pinching yourself! What a perfect job for you. Tailor-made! <br /><br />And, for the record, I'll be right there behind you!! Proud to have been with you nearly from the start!<br /><br />Sarahx
That's awesome, congratulations!
This is greatest news! MUCHLY congratulations! And you know the juiciest part of this all..? ItΒ΄s the fact that you created this! You have worked on your blog and collected us equal- minded peeps here, you have nurtured your area of interest and given it pictures, voice and form and now those dreams you brought life carry you even further and closer to your dreams. <br />It is indeed a fantastic
Wow.. many congratulations on your new job. You so deserve it!<br />xxx
Awww cheers Clare, I'm ever so excited to get started! xxx
Hiya – I'm an avid reader of your blog but have never commented before (sorry!) but this deserves a comment to say a massive congratulations and that's pretty inspiring stuff. Looking forward to following your work blog as well as your personal one (and to the other announcement!)<br />
Hi Anna, thank you so much for coming out of lurkdom to comment and for your lovely words!! Please don't ever apologise for not commenting, it's cool and it's nice to know you are there reading :) So thank you for your support, I'm positively giddy with excitement :) xxx
I think I've responded to everyone personally but just in case I've missed anyone, you guys seriously rock. Your support is awesome! Thank you thank you thank you!! Big smoochie kisses to you all xxx
Congratulations and I'm sure it will be a perfect fit for you! ..yes! one door closes, another opens!<br /><br />leslie
Um, hello! Paid (for real) to blog about interiors? Yes, please! What an amazing opportunity for you.Looking forward to more info about where! And ever so excited for announcement #2 as well! My guess is that it has something to do with SW Homrwares???
This is amazing! Well done! Can't wait to see your new home away from home (blog away from blog?) I love it when things just come together like this in life :)
YESSSSS! Clearly you are working for some brilliant employers to have chosen you for this position. Seriously – what a dream job!! I'm SUPER excited for you and will totally be there supporting you at every step!
Congrats on your new job which sounds amazing! I'm so happy you found my blog so that I could find yours, can't believe I didn't come across it before. I've been missing out big time!
I am bouncing up and down in my chair for you! If it didn't make me look like a crazy lady I would be doing a little happy dance for you… oh stuff it, I am doing it anyway! CONGRATS! That is fantastic news and I am sure you are going to kick this jobs butt! Keep us posted and I will be checking in to hear about your other exciting news! P.S – thanks for the Achica tip, I have already added
Congratulations! How thrilling!
So late with commenting here (baby has taken over just about every minute of the day and night!) but you know how happy I am for you!! Huge huge congratulations, the new job sounds absolutely perfect for you! Wish you a great first day on Monday and of course a great every other day at the new job! <br /><br />Lots of love, <br />Meera xx