Moving from a traditional office job to a remote career can feel daunting. Where do you start? How do you know?
This is my story of finding Boldly and how I decided to make the jump to a remote role.
Preparing To Make A Move
Six years ago I was head down, buried in job sites looking for a new career path.
My husband, active duty military, had just received orders – we were headed to a base in Missouri. I was trying to psych myself up yet another for a cross-country move, which also meant leaving my job and a career I had grown to love over the last five years.
This time, as the prospect of moving loomed, I found myself grappling with the challenges of maintaining a career as a military spouse while being there for my family and my husband’s career.
The constant relocations, unpredictable schedules, and need for adaptability were all factors that made traditional office jobs seem increasingly impractical.
So I started to brainstorm a plan of what to do next.
Taking a year “off” to be with our almost two-year-old was pulling at my heartstrings. It could be an amazing opportunity to soak up all those adorable moments and be there for the early childhood milestones. But the entrepreneur in me wasn’t so sure.
“Hey, remember that freelancing gig you used to love?” Thoughts of independence and creative satisfaction started swirling in my head.
I had to weigh the pros and cons, taking into account what our family needed right now and how each option would play out in the long run.
On one hand, staying home felt like a temporary escape, a chance to fully dive into the joys of motherhood without the pressures of a 9-to-5. On the flip side, the idea of jumping back into freelancing was whispering promises of doing my own thing, being professionally independent, and building something from the ground up.
Something in my mind was telling me that I needed to keep exploring new opportunities.
5 Questions To Ask Yourself When Looking For A Remote Job/Job Posting
- Will my work schedule really be flexible?
- What about location independence? Is it really remote or am I expected to live in a certain area of the country?
- Does the company’s mission and values align with mine?
- How does the company maintain a supportive work culture?
- What are the employee benefits? (1099 or W2 employee)
Finding Boldly – Too Good To Be True?
Enter Boldly—a combination of professional sanctuary and personal fulfillment. It was like finding the missing puzzle piece that brought balance to motherhood and career aspirations.
I distinctly remember the conversation I had with my husband when I told him I found a work-from-home job with flexible hours that I was going to apply for.
In fact, I think he laughed and told me it had to be “too good to be true.”
But what did I have to lose? Why not take the plunge? I faced the uncertainty with a mix of determination and a pinch of excitement, turning this unexpected opportunity into a real game-changer.
Little did I know that this “too good to be true” opportunity would kick off a whole new chapter in my life.
Sure, there were challenges. The unpredictability of military life could throw a curveball at the most inconvenient times, like when the military sent us overseas just one year after I had started working at Boldly. (Oh no, not again!)
The difference this time was my career and the relationships I built over that year came with me!
Working Boldly Six Years Later
Fast forward to the present day—three moves and two countries later, Boldly has been one of the only constant things in my life.
As we unpacked boxes in different corners of the world, my virtual office stayed with me, adapting to each new time zone and helping me bridge the gap between my professional goals and the ever-changing landscape of military life.
In a way, Boldly became more than a job; it became my anchor.
Amidst the chaos of unpacking, acclimating to new cultures, and navigating the intricacies of international moves, there was always the familiar rhythm of virtual collaboration and the steady hum of work-from-home normalcy. It was the constant (and career change) I didn’t know I needed—a source of stability when everything else seemed to be in flux.
Looking back on the last five years, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m happy that I finally get to grow my career in a way that aligns with my goals and aspirations. My husband is particularly happy that I’m a W2 employee and not freelancing. (Our taxes are so much easier now — IYKYK!)
There’s just something about having a team of professionals who have your back, especially when the rest of your life is in constant transition. The stability, the support, and the chance to grow without sacrificing flexibility—it’s a game-changer.
Sometimes, the best leaps are the ones you take without looking back!
