This morning, I had coffee with my younger self.

She arrived early, dressed in a crisp blouse and dress pants, ready to talk business. I showed up in yoga pants and an oversized sweatshirt, fresh from the morning school drop-off.

She ordered a mocha frappuccino—sweet, full of excitement, ready to take on the world. I ordered a chai latte with extra cinnamon—warm, steady, seasoned by experience.

She looked at me with eager eyes and asked, “How will I know when it’s time to quit my job and go all in?”

I took a slow sip of my drink and smiled. “Start now. But don’t jump until the boat is next to the dock.”

Her brows furrowed. “How will I know when the boat is next to the dock?”

“When your business reaches beyond your own circle—when clients come from friends of friends, and your name is passed around by people you haven’t even met.”

I could see the wheels turning in her head. The excitement. The hesitation. The fear.

“What if I can’t make a living?” she asked, voice quieter now.

I leaned in and whispered the truth she needed to hear: “What if you can make more than just a living? What if you wake up every day excited, happy, and free?”

She blinked. Let the words sink in.

I didn’t sugarcoat it. It won’t be easy. There will be moments when self-doubt creeps in, when the money feels tight, when the “what ifs” feel heavier than the dream itself. There will be lows—and then some more.

But the highs? The highs will be unlike anything you’ve ever felt.

The joy of booking your dream client. The thrill of seeing your work recognized. The deep, soul-filling satisfaction of creating something that matters—something that’s yours.

And one day, the lows won’t seem so low anymore. The highs will make it all worth it.

As she stood to leave, I pulled her in for a tight hug.

“I’m so proud of you,” I whispered. “And I hope we meet for coffee again soon.” 💛