Thursday, January 12, 2012

It's Official - I'm Manic

Source - Manic & Mania
***Quick disclaimer.  Mental illness is not something to take lightly.  If you believe you may be suffering from any form of mental illness please contact a doctor ASAP***


I've mentioned before that I've had a whole slew of mental illness diagnoses and never really got a final answer as to what is causing me to feel/act the way I do.  One of those diagnoses was bipolar disorder (AKA manic-depressive disorder).  This was a popular diagnosis because of the obvious periods of mania that I've experienced throughout my adolescence and adult life.  Lucky for me, I don't get to a point where I think I can fly and jump off of buildings (which can happen to bipolar people), instead I get this burning desire to learn, work, make money, etc.

There were many times where I held 3 jobs.  Not because I "needed" the money, just because I wanted extra money and was fully convinced I could handle have multiple jobs.  Then 2 weeks, or 4 weeks, or 6 weeks later I would quit my extra jobs (it was common for me to start working at retail stores that I would appreciate a discount at).

While I was planning my wedding to The Ex I decided I should start wedding planning part time on top of my highly stressful full-time job (and on top of planning my own wedding).  So I started taking a class at a local community college and started selling customized wedding stuff on Etsy.  My Etsy shop was actually pretty successful (I closed it when the mania subsided) and the class was a complete joke.

Well, over the past few weeks I have taken on the following:
  1. I decided to be a Discovery Toys Educational Consultant (AKA toy sales rep, lol)
  2. I decided to take an online Jewelry Design & Repair Class
  3. I decided to improve my photography skills
  4. I decided to start couponing
  5. I decided to start selling some of my hand-knit creations
Seriously - that's kinda nuts.

So, I became a Discovery Toys Educational Consultant.  This is a Direct Sales position (like Mary Kay or Pampered Chef) where your primary source of income is holding "parties" to sell toys.  The cost of the kit (plus shipping and fees, etc.) was $150.  Whether I become the best DT sales consultant ever or its just a passing fad the $150 was totally worth it because the toys are freaking awesome (and no, I'm not just saying that because I want you to buy toys from me, lol)!  Plus, they spend a lot of time educating their sales reps on childhood development (and in turn which toys will aid in the different stages of development) which is really important to me as a soon-to-be first time mom!  If you're interested in buying any of the toys or becoming an Educational Consultant yourself, you can check it out here!
Source
And I signed up to take an online Jewelry Design and Repair class.  This has a little more back-story.  I recently found out there's a program for military spouses called "Career Advancement Assistance."  Basically they'll pay up to $4,000 ($2,000 a year for two years) to go towards a military spouse getting a certification, license, or associate's degree.  Your "goals" have to be pre-approved and the point is to help you get started in a career that is mobile since we have to move so often.

Now, I would have waited to start something until after I had the baby and settled into be a Mom, but there's a catch.  Once your husband reaches a certain paygrade, you are no longer eligible for the assistance.  Well, if my husband gets promoted, I'm no longer eligible.  He'll be taking the advancement exam again this spring (it'll be his third time taking it) and if he gets promoted (it's more complicated than just passing the test) he'll officially be the higher pay grade this December.  So I potentially have until December to try and take advantage of this!  So I'm technically starting the class on the 18th and then I have a year to complete it but I can do it at my own pace.  

I'm actually super excited about the class.  I've always been into jewelry making; I had my fourth grade Birthday party at the Beadworks in Boston (best Birthday party ever, btw).  And the course includes a bunch of supplies you'll need to design and repair jewelry, so there's no out of pocket cost for me.  If you'd like some more information on the course, it can be found here!

Next up...I decided to improve my photography skills.  So I bought a book.  This book to be exact:
Source
This book is great because it isn't overwhelming you with terms and definition, instead it's way more straightforward.  You wanna take a portrait outside?  Turn off the flash, use a medium f-stop number and a low ISO.  Wanna take a picture of your dog playing outside? Again, no flash, but this time use a fast shutter speed.  It does also get into all the scientific mumbo-jumbo, but beyond the basics I just don't have the attention span to read about that, lol, so I really like this book.

Then I decided to start couponing - why the hell not right?  I got a binder, inserts, a Sunday paper...I even clipped the coupons out of the Sunday paper!  Now I just have to put my clipped coupons in my binder and actually start using them.
Personal Photo
As long as I stick with this long enough to cover the cost of my binder/inserts I'll be happy.  If I get really into it and end up on Extreme Couponing I expect you all to lock me in a padded cell, because those people are legit hoarders!  But I doubt I'll get that into it, lol.  It would be nice to save some dough on our grocery shopping bill though!

And finally I decided to start selling my hand-knit creations.  I haven't gotten to the point of creating an Etsy shop or anything yet, instead I'm basically just selling stuff to other people on base.  I already have 3 orders.  I even made a Facebook page!  If you want to go and "like" it, you are more then welcome to.  And if you really wanted to order something from me, I wouldn't say no, but you'll just have to pay for the shipping and the Paypal fee.  And you'll have to wait a while since I still need to finish my first 3 orders.

So yeah, if that isn't full blown mania, I don't know what is.  But like I said, it isn't scary-I-think-I-can-fly mania, it's just I-think-I-can-do-everything-and-won't-stop-until-I-do mania.  With my type of mania, I always end up making some extra cash which is totally not a bad thing with a little Seamonkey on the way!  And this post turned out way longer than I intended it to be, so I'm gonna cut myself off now!

Until next time...


4 comments:

  1. Go you!!! Your like SuperMom! No harm done if it's giving you some extra cash, right? :)

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  2. I used to have that type of mania, not so much anymore. You are inspiring me though!

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  3. you go girl! i'm intrigued by the selling thing. I handpaint family name signs, and wanted to start a facebook page..but (I've been diagnosed with things as well) I am losing sleep over wondering if it's legal, taxes, etc. LOL! seriously, my DH thinks I'm nuts. I also have paypal but don't get it. sigh. help a girl out?

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    Replies
    1. I should have added, I liked your site for you :)

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