Faith & FamilyMy Dream Job and HGTV Magazine June 24, 2017 I’ve been pinching myself for quite awhile now. I know some of you have seen that our current home, The Buffalo Bungalow, is featured in the July/August issue of HGTV Magazine. There’s a 10-page spread featuring how we created this home on a budget without compromising our style. Sharing this with y’all has been a long-time coming. Right after we moved into this house a year and a half ago, HGTV Magazine reached out in the hopes of publishing it in their magazine. Only problem? We were still a WAYS from having a finished house that we could even show them for scouting shots! Well, they were gracious and patient and waited ten whole months for us to finish the very last space (the kitchen) and then we lovingly put together a before and after proposal for our home and sent it off with anxious and grateful hearts. They responded quickly they’d like to feature it in a multi-page spread and scheduled the photo shoot for this past January. The kindest team descended on our house for two days, LOTS of equipment and props in hand. It was so surreal watching them work with the HGTV staff at headquarters to get the perfect shots for the magazine layout they’d already planned. I remember sitting there in the background, watching the process and learning from them, and that was the first time it really hit me. I’m truly living my long-time dream. I’ve said so often that I am a dreamer at heart. I see big-picture. The sky’s the limit. Growing up, we spent a good chunk of our summers up at the family lake house, my most favorite place on earth. There was something so special about it. The scenery was gorgeous and everywhere you looked, there was meaning. My dad built it himself while dating my mom and they laid boards and rocks together as they were falling in love, dreaming of their future family. (You can read about this special place in my heart here.) But up there, surrounded by beauty and history, life stops. Days are lazy and slow and the only thing on the to-do list is being in the moment and enjoying those around you. Life slowing down leads to reflection and for me, that leads to dreaming big dreams. I have vivid memories growing up of taking evening walks down the long gravel road that leads to our home and talking about my big dreams with my parents. Growing up, I dreamed of becoming everything from an actress to a cardiologist and with each new dream, I knew I’d found my life’s passion. I’ll never forget one evening when I was in high school….I was on an evening walk with just my dad and was debating all of my dreams and many possibilities for a future career. How would I ever choose my perfect job from all of those many, seemingly-perfect possibilities? He looked at me and said, “The key to true happiness and fulfillment in your career is to find something you love so much, you’d do it for free. Then find someone to pay you for it.” And that became my guiding “rule” as I tried out careers. What do I daydream about? What do I put off chores and work to focus on instead? Okay, now how does that become a career? Not long after we got married seven years ago, after years of dreaming about every career under the sun, I knew what my dream and passion was: renovating and telling stories. I had no idea what a career in that would look like, but I knew that’s the one thing I loved so much I’d do it for free. I WAS doing it for free with my first blog and our first house. I started dreaming about that baby blog becoming my full-time income and as you heard in the our story series I did, after a few years, I left my full-time teaching job to pursue the blog full time. It was thrilling and unknown and I was still a ways from it being that dream job, but I was on my way. I had a glimpse of turning my love of renovating, design, and telling stories into an actual job that helped pay the bills and I was ready to go after it. When I first came home to pursue this dream, it was an interesting transition. When people asked what I did for a living, my answer was suddenly that I was a blogger. And I got a lot of patronizing smiles and even a few questions like, “Oh that’s a cool hobby, but what’s your job?” or even, “Oh, so you don’t work?” And now, the immediate question I’ve gotten more than any other when I answer that I’m a blogger and yes, it’s an actual job, is, “How do you make money blogging?” And the answer to that has been different throughout my nearly four years as a full-time blogger. For years, my main payers were things I didn’t love. Yes, I got to blog, but my freelance work really paid the bills and it was one of those things that just had to happen….yes it took most of my time from writing on my actual blog and I didn’t enjoy it, but it paid. And who actually enjoys every aspect of their job? Then, that shifted to sponsored posts. Yes, I was FINALLY getting paid to write on my own blog…. …then as I’ve shared, convictions started pouring in about the materialism I was breeding in others by constantly “selling” them things they didn’t need or even worse, things I would NEVER have bought myself had I not been paid to share it. I don’t have a problem with the occasional sponsored post where I’m promoting something I would’ve bought anyway for our home. This is a business and I do deserve to be paid. But I was crossing that line all. the. time. and I grew weary of it. But, all of my work needed to pay-off by literally paying our bills. And that’s when I started praying, shifting perspectives, and going where God led. And He led us to the most life-giving, beautiful journey. Today, my income is made up of three main areas. 1.) Ads from people visiting the blog and reading what I want to write about. And as I’ve been truer to myself in posts, wrote about what I felt called to write about, and even started posting less due to life and motherhood, my pageviews and ad dollars have increased. Isn’t it amazing that being genuine actually gets you farther than all of that striving I was doing before? It blew my mind. 2.) Selling Houses – while our selling house journey was born out of a desperate need to pay off debt, God revealed to us through that an amazing way to make a significant income through doing what we love most: renovating. The blog and selling houses go hand-in-hand and support each other…who could’ve ever dreamed that up other than the ultimate creator? 3.) My Oil Business – The only thing in my life that I’m as passionate about as renovating (beyond the “people”) is living a naturally, health-focused life. It still blows my mind that God built an amazing business out of something our family had already been using for our health for two years and used it to replace me being a marketing machine for products I didn’t fully believe in. Instead of constantly trying to sell more and more and more home decor over and over that people just don’t need in that abundance, I’m helping others find a healthier life for their family. For example, we drink several ounces of Ningxia Red every day. Chris and I depend on it and Rosie LOVES it. Drinking a bit of this everyday has radically changed our daily energy and overall health because it’s one of the highest antioxidant-rich foods that exists. ONE OUNCE of this has more antioxidants than 22 carrots, 100 oranges, 73 strawberries, and 93 apples. Can you say super, super, super food? Anti-oxidants boost energy, brain function, and even eyesight. And it blows my mind that this personal health journey we’re on has actually become part of the blog and business that supports our family. I sat at the dining table during our HGTV photo shoot, drinking my daily Ningxia Red, holding Rosie on my lap, and watching them shoot this house we worked so hard together to renovate for our family, and I was overcome. Tears started silently flowing down my cheeks as I realized it. That moment was the dream. All of that dreaming, striving, trying things, and being DETERMINED to find God’s perfect calling for my life led me to more than I ever imagined. I always refused to settle and that little voice inside said I’ll never find it. God shifted my perspectives over and over again, continually showed me what mattered, and led me to a place that my only frustration with work is that I don’t have more time to spend on it. He led me to a place that dreaming up beautiful spaces to foster my babies learning and growing is a job. He led me to a place where I can work with my husband every day on the passion we share and it actually provides for our family. And He led me to a place where focusing on natural health for my family is not just one of my greatest passions, but is actually putting food on the table. All of these pieces make up my work puzzle and it is a more exciting, gratitiude-filled adventure than this dreamer could’ve EVER dreamed up for herself. I can’t wait to see this adventure continue to develop, but I have to admit, I love exactly where we’re at. For those of you out there still looking for that spot where passion, dreams, calling, and FREEDOM meet, I’m here to tell you that you can find it. It will take time and patience. It will take working harder than you thought. It will take shifting your priorities and maybe even shifting what the dream looks like, but lean in. Be open to God changing your heart, your motivations, even though at times, it’ll hurt. Be open to going where He leads, even if you’re not sure it makes sense. Because it’s worth it, y’all. Coming out at a place where your dreams and His Kingdom-focused purpose align is life-giving. So get on those knees, pray, and see where He leads you. You can see our home that is featured in the magazine by clicking below: *** That’s been The White Buffalo motto for the last three years and is still what I’m striving to do each day in our home and with our family. Yes, that often means tablescapes, inspiring interiors, and fun before and after renos. But it also means family. Faith. Joy. Struggles. Laughter. Health. You’ll find a little bit of all of that here as I share how we’re choosing to live with both style and purpose. A huge part of that is our journey toward a more natural life that’s focused on enjoying each and every moment together. A huge thanks to my main blog sponsor that makes this dream of mine possible:
Kris Atkins says June 24, 2017 at 4:15 pm This is huge!! I’m so, so, so happy and excited for you. You deserve it. Reply
Judy Clark says June 26, 2017 at 8:46 am So happy for you! There are so many blogs out there these days. I stay away from the ones that seem fake so to speak. Yours is a true expression of God’s love and work in your family’s life. God bless you in the days ahead. I cannot wait to see how your new home comes together. God Bless You! Reply
Lindsay says June 28, 2017 at 5:17 pm Oh thank you, Judy!! That means so much to me 🙂 I really appreciate all the encouragement! Reply
Lauren says June 26, 2017 at 10:47 pm I was SO EXCITED when my magazine came in the mail and I saw you & your family & home featured in it! I was and am so very happy for you .. thank you for sharing your life with us! Reply
AmandaKB says June 26, 2017 at 11:14 pm From one dreamer to another… CONGRATULATIONS! I love these words… “where passion, dreams, calling and freedom meet.” Your story is so encouraging. Thanks for sharing 🙂 Reply
Robbie Zeller says June 27, 2017 at 9:35 am Lindsay, I love your rich heritage of dreaming, working hard and building from your folks. What an amazing example your dad was to listen to your heart and walk with you. JUst like your Heavenly Father! I love your obedience in following the Lord Lindsay. Thanks for inspiring us to get on our knees, pray and watch where He leads. Love from San Diego ! Reply
Karin says June 27, 2017 at 11:58 am All of what you write about here strikes such a chord with me! After working many years in the medical field and being the main bread winner for our family, I finally have the opportunity to persue my passion. I am still at the very beginning of my blogging journey and I adore oils as you do. I can only dream my path will lead me towards all I have envisioned for as long as I remember. Your story gives me hope and encouragement that it just might. Reply
Lindsay says June 28, 2017 at 5:10 pm Oh Karin, that is so amazing to hear! I’m so excited for you to embark on this journey and wish you all the best. Keep at it and I firmly believe God will lead you to exactly the perfect place for you! Reply
Betsy says June 29, 2017 at 4:13 pm I just picked up the magazine at the airport on a whim and saw your spread! I love your style and am on the hunt to find the supplies to make my own Moroccan wedding blanket! Thanks for the DIY! Reply
Alisa Canter says July 6, 2017 at 10:37 am Thank you so much for sharing such an inspiring story. I also am a dreamer and just began the journey of creating a blog. It can be frustrating and trying, but I love seeing the success of others, and it motivates me to keep going. Can’t wait to pick up the magazine and see your beautiful home! Reply
Shauna says July 12, 2017 at 11:22 pm This is so wonderful! I love your perspective and how you truly allow God to set the plan. He is so good, isn’t He? I’ve had such similar feelings too about the blogging business and it was reassuring to hear another blogger say what I’ve felt. Thanks for your honesty and open heart Lindsay. Keep up the good work, your blog is always so fun to catch up on. xo Reply
Shauna says July 12, 2017 at 11:23 pm Ps. Forget to say CONGRATULATIONS on the HGTV feature!! You go! Reply
Lani says August 3, 2017 at 11:09 pm Thank you so much for this! I appreciate your honesty. I am in this frustrating stage of wanting to be creative and produce financially for my home as a mom of a 16-month-old with another on the way. I have similar desires and drives as you so I really appreciate the push to pray and see what God does. Thank you! Reply