“Leaving to pursue other interests” usually is a euphemism for someone who did not leave a job voluntarily. However, I actually am leaving my job to pursue other interests: spending more time with family, tackling all those DIY projects that I keep thinking I’ll get to, taking time for lunch rather than eating at my desk while checking email (or while walking from the kitchen to my office), sitting on the deck with a glass of wine and listening to the wind, riding my bike, exploring other places – and writing in my own voice each day.

That’s the dream anyway. In reality, I’ll be doing contract writing part time and fitting my “other interests” in as I can. But the time will be mine. Sure, I’ll have deadlines, but I will be able to determine when and where I write – and when I’m writing for hire and writing for myself.

Henry David Thoreau said that “if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”

So, I’m making that leap of faith and advancing confidently towards my dreams. I might not get there, but as Thoreau said, it’s the only way to get close. And I’ll do that.