I’m still having a hard time putting into words just what I learned, how I felt, and how completely amazing my 2 days in Chapel Hill were.

I went into the conference with this mindset:

They’re going to give me the courage, the tools & the mindset to come home & quit my full-time job & run DSE full-time.

I also went into the conference COMPLETELY and utterly terrified, nervous & anxious. It’s funny because things have been going a mile-a-minute for the last few months, so after I registered, I didn’t have time to think twice about it. Then, all the sudden, it was the day before & I’m packing my suitcase. I think I said “I’m so nervous” 17 times that day (sorry, Matt!). I was nervous because, although I thought I’d be learning about myself as a business owner, I really had NO IDEA what I would be learning or doing! There’s no posted schedule & a lot of things about the conference are kept pretty secretive… and the planner in me hated that.

Can I just say that that was the most beautiful thing about it?!

We had to be vulnerable. We dug deep, go messy, laughed, cried, and I learned more about myself in 2 days than I have in a long, long time.

I learned that…

I am saying NO to my corporate job & DSE taking priority over my husband.

I am saying NO to tight-fisting my life & never allowing God to move in it.

I am saying NO to the yucky idols I fought so hard to hold.

I am saying YES to ordinary and beautiful nights spent with my husband.

I am saying YES to people over to-do lists.

I am saying YES to lazy night cuddles with Knox, to making flowers because I love to & to cooking dinner with Matt.

I went into the conference completely exhausted … feeling like I was trying to wear too many hats & not balancing them or doing anything well. I felt like a failure as a wife, a business owner & a woman. I’m literally crying as I write this to you because those feelings and thoughts were so REAL to me … I was so, so burdened and broken deep down in my soul.

But that’s not the end… Praise God that’s not how I left!!

I left the conference feeling the most refreshed I’d ever felt, even though I barely got any sleep for all the late-night-bonding that took place. I left feeling refreshed, inspired and ACCEPTED. I left feeling like I wasn’t alone…having ugly cries with women who GET IT. Who understood what it felt like to be a woman balancing a lot, and trying to strive for some unwritten rule of success. I met the most amazing speakers, and dug really deep in my breakout group with Amber & Karen. I got to hug Emily & Lara & Rhi … I got to have amazing conversations with “the Taylor’s” & Meagan & Bonnie & Laura … I made LIFE LONG friendships, and changed my way of thinking for ever.

I learned that setting boundaries is a GOOD thing. It doesn’t make you a failure to take a night off, or set up “office hours” for emails & client chats. It makes me a WISER woman because I’m focusing on what fires me up, what lights up my life, and what MATTERS. I dug down deep at the core of who I am as a woman & wife; and what I want the core of DSE to be.

I did not leave ready to quit my full-time job & run DSE full-time … I left that idol at Jesus’ feet. I left the conference with the heart for intentionality … being intentional & present in EVERY area of my life … as a wife, a business owner & in corporate America. Yes, my goal is to run DSE full-time; but GOD’S timing is better than my own … AH! How refreshing to type that out and MEAN it!!! In my heart of hearts I know that this season of my life is EXACTLY where God has placed me!!!!! I need to OWN IT! I need to be the best wife I can be… to love my sweetheart with every fiber, to dedicate nights spent with JUST him – no emailing on the couch beside him. I need to be the best business owner… to show my clients the core of DSE & to truly change their wedding experience. I need to be the best salary worker I can be … focusing on my day-job & owning that responsibility. I realized that it’s not about trying to do everything perfectly … it’s about having PURPOSE in all that I do. Purpose of perfection is a beautiful thing.

If you’re on the fence about attending Making Things Happen … GO. Make it happen. (yes I just did that!)

It was change your life in the most AMAZING way!!! I’m so excited for the lessons I learned, and the fact that I will KEEP learning them as I process through all that took place. And I’m SO excited for the October attendees!!! There’s still spots open… it’s worth the financial investment, the time spent away from home & the amazing, amazing ways you’ll be changed!!

xo! kat