I have wanted to write this post for SO LONG.
And today is the day I get to announce my BIG NEWS: I have parted ways with my employer and I will be working on my writing – both creative and narrative here at Garden, Cook, Eat, Repeat (GCER) – PLUS focusing on the homesteading life Mr. Gordon and I have been working toward for many years now. That focus in the short term will be our gardening and the chickens (of course).
Leaving my employer was an easy decision. At the end of the day, the job held no real meaning for me. When I joined the company in 2018, I was the 11th employee added to my department. As of February 2021, I was 1 of 2 people left. (The other person was a sales rep.) Everyone in my dept. (except one person who was furloughed) left the company for “better pastures.”
I was tired, disappointed, and although I did work with some very nice people during my time with the company, I felt like my self-worth and energy were experiencing a sort of “death by 10,000 cuts.” At the end of every day, the well was empty. There was nothing left for me. It was time to go. *shrugs*
I submitted my resignation and gave two-weeks notice. My last day was March 5. š

A New Path
Taking any job is not the right way to go. Much thought went into this and so did a lot of discussion with Mr. Gordon. Not working for someone else immediately cuts our household income in half. I did my homework and we sat down and talked about money (in and out), plus savings and resources. I put together a “state of the finances” presentation with possibilities. Yes, I put a PowerPoint together (that’s old-person speak for slidedeck). š Anyhow, the visual was what we needed to really consider the risks and possible rewards.
And, it IS a risk – I won’t deny that. But there comes a time when you just need to go for it. This is my go for it.
As a maker, Mr. Gordon gets feeding your spirit through creation and the cost of letting that fall to the wayside. It’s one of the reasons why he agreed to this new path – especially my creative writing and the Door to Door series. He said, paraphrasing: You need to do this. You need to see if you can make this happen.
And there you have it. That’s what I will be doing. Writing: fiction (with major marketing/supportive efforts like Patreon) and “lifestyle blogging” here at GCER + gardening, cooking, making videos, writing for other resources (hopefully!), and everything in between that supports the life we need to live – the life that deserves a full-on effort. Because life IS short.
And of course, maybe…
I am a person who is always open to new possibilities and good change, however. If the right “outside employment” came along, I would absolutely consider it. A part-time job might be the perfect fit. We’ll see. š
Confession
I hate to admit I need help. I’m not really comfortable displaying any vulnerability, but I’m trying to get over that. So, this last little bit is about asking for your help. But first…
Let me say HOW GRATEFUL I am to all who have cheered me on and supported me already! Thank you to the wonderful people who have provided direct support for my creative writing through purchasing and leaving a positive review as well! (Shoutout in particular to GCER supporters Kristin and Bekah!) I’m deeply, deeply grateful.
So here’s my ask. There are many great ways to show support. Both no-cost and low cost.
Creative Writing Support
- If you haven’t yet, I’d be honored if you picked up your ebook copy of Door to Door here! It’s only $2.99!
- If you did read my first book and liked it, please consider leaving me an honest, positive review on Amazon! (Reviews are critical for indie authors like me!)
- Share Door to Door in your social media channels with a “why to buy” – you know, Door to Door was fun to read, I love/hate Templeton – but want more, etc. š OR, write a review and post on your blog! Then let me know it’s there so I can come by and say thank you! š
- Follow me and “share me” in your own social media channels! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and Twitter. (I’m mostly on Instagram and Facebook.) You are invited to visit me at my other website: WriterTracyBrown.com š
- Like and share my Door to Door book trailer! (I think it’s cool, am I a dork?) That book trailer is here: https://youtu.be/NAoTVk_zGOg
- Join me on Patreon for only $5 per month – You really get A LOT for your five bucks! Read chapters before the next book is published, vote on character choices, and access exclusive videos of me reading to you. (Right now I’m writing and reading Templeton’s Tale!)



Garden, Cook, Eat, Repeat (GCER) Support
Your comments on our posts here fill me with JOY! That’s probably one of the best ways to support GCER! š Also:
- Follow GCER and share our posts / updates on Instagram (I LOVE Instagram – what a great community), Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube (oh, please subscribe to our channel!), and Twitter.
- Sign up for our newsletter and never miss a post!
- Oh, and if you haven’t signed up for Misfits Market (affiliate link) yet, take advantage of that $10 off your first order! (And when you use that link, we get $10 off our next order, too! How cool is that?)
And there you have it!
So changes, my friends! Big ones… admittedly risky ones. I’m a bit nervous, but I’m also thrilled to make this new beginning. š
What do you think? Share your thoughts in a comment below!
This is part of the March GCER blog drop! Check out:
Good luck my daughter! Sometimes it takes time to make a big decision in life and I know you love to write so it was probably time to make the change rather than always wonder “what if”…. Looking forward to reading all of the future books!i
Thank you, Mom! Getting “Door to Door” out there really was the spark. Plus, you know how unhappy I was with my employer. It was time to chart a new course! Looking forward to sharing new stories and tales! š
How exciting!!! Congratulations on choosing the path that will make you the happiest! Iām looking forward to following along with your new journey and all of your changes. I will have to pick up a copy of your book to read on my vacation next month!
Hi Steph! Oh, I hope you do grab a copy! That would be awesome. š It’s light-hearted fun… something I think we can all use right now, you know? š
And thanks for your congrats! I have just wrapped up my first week which included nursing an injured chicken (she’s fine now) and taking care of a boatload of errands. I’m hoping this week I can more easily get into my new routine! š Thank you for coming by my blog!
Follow your path, it will never steer you wrong. Open doors appear when you listen to your heart.
Daisy, how I agree with you! My sister once told me that you can’t pick up anything new if you are holding onto too much in the present (something like that). I agree. Letting go of my employer’s priorities is allowing me to pick up my own! I already have had one local store invite me to bring copies of my book to her to sell! Thanks for coming by my blog!
Did you hear me shouting “WooHoo!” all the way from the West Coast?!?! This is really, really BIG news…amazing news. I am so happy for you! What an adventure you have set ahead of you. And, might I add that you have an amazing life partner in Mr. Gordon, although I am sure you have already figured that out. So my “WooHoo” is for him too š
I’m proud of you for stepping out like this, and I can’t wait to cheer for you along the way!
Thank you SO MUCH, Bekah! (So that’s what I heard echoing in from the west…) š And you are right, Mr. Gordon is wonderful. He truly is. I am grateful for his love and support! I’m also excited that he’s starting to think about working on his art again. He’s talking about sculpting a small statue of Daniel Swift in clay. I’m very excited about that! Thank you (as always) for your support and for commenting! <3
Well, I suspected this might be what you were alluding to, but one never knows. I am so proud of you Tracy for taking this amazingly big step. It’s scary and you’ll question yourself, but keep in mind this is the RIGHT step for you! There is nothing like being unhappy in a career choice/job/work situation to make the push to doing what is right and what you’ve always wanted to do. I will be here cheering you on, as will everyone else! Good luck! Now go (continue to) kick some…well…you know š
Heheh – I figured you knew what was coming, Kristin! It’s not much of a surprise to those who have been paying attention. (Especially those who know me IRL and know what was going on at my job.) I know there will be days – and I’ve already had those moments when I go, holy moly, I quit my job! – but I also keep thinking: Others have made this work, I can make this work. š
Thanks so much for your cheering on and support! People like YOU have inspired me! XO!