Q+A: The Biggest Risk You Ever Took

Risk is one of those buzz words you hear thrown around a lot. To succeed you must take risks. Which I will agree with, but success (and risk taking) is highly personal. Oddly, I think many of my biggest risks were admitting to changes of heart. Choosing a new degree and career path in college, choosing a new home, turning down an opportunity that did not seem right (this, by the way, was a teaching job in Kuwait. Two days after turning the job down, the Arab Spring happened). My biggest though, may have been turning down a job opportunity because I had recently met a man and been on a few dates with him. The number of dates, mind you, was probably not enough to warrant the decision I made, and I am not one to normally advocate making decisions based on a man, but... something told me to turn down the job and see where things headed with this Boy, who turned out to be The Boy. And though I am happily married to The Boy now, that decision still has repercussions both positive and negative in my life.

Risk is an inherent part of life.

Four bloggers share their biggest risks. What was the biggest risk you ever took?
Q+A

Erica of Sweets and Hearts:

The biggest risk I ever took was choosing to study fashion marketing in college. My parents pushed for me to study something more "practical", but I knew in my heart that it was what I was most interested in. The fashion industry is hard to get into, and it's filled with lots of difficult personality types, but it's also one of the most creative and exciting industries to be a part of! After a short internship and a few unfulfilling jobs post-college (ugh, retail), I've finally found a fashion copywriting position at an online designer consignment store and I couldn't be happier! It's worth taking a risk when it comes to your career if you know you'll be happier in the long run. It can take some time to get where you want to be, but the best thing you can do for yourself is stay optimistic and do what makes you happy.

Rachel of Floral Prints and Common Sense:

I don't want to sound cliche or anything, but one of the biggest risks I ever took was starting this blog of mine! People on the internet can be cruel, what with the anonymity, and it's kind of scary to just like, post tons of photos of yourself. I'm no model, and my fashion sense is a little on the quirky side, so I wasn't sure if I'd get 100% positive reception. What was even scarier for me personally, though, was launching my etsy shop. I was really worried that no one would like what I had to sell, and since my art is very personal and important to me, facing that kind of rejection was arguably more daunting than posting about my life on my blog. Really though, both endeavors have paid off. I've made so many new friends and learned a lot about myself as a blogger, and my shop has connected me with really great people and given me some valuable experience in running my own business and working with clients. Putting yourself out there is scary, but definitely worth it! Follow your dreams, guys!

Lisa of Lala Faux Bois:

I'd have to say the biggest risk I ever took was when I moved to Arizona to get my pilot's license. I was born and raised in Oregon, and although it's super beautiful, all those rainy days didn't work well for me. Also, I really wanted to get my pilot's license and the process was realllly slowed down with so many rain cancellations. I got it in my head that I was moving to the desert after college, so I packed what fit in my Honda Civic and made the trek to Arizona. I got my pilot's license, and although the training has been on a long pause, it still feels like my biggest accomplishment. The first time I was flying solo in an airplane, I couldn't believe I was fulfilling this long-time dream. I kind of hate that my biggest risk (which was kind of 2 in 1, I guess...) is now 13 years ago- looks like it's time to shake things up again!

Sammi of the Soubrette Brunette:

It's hard for me to nail down what the biggest risk I've taken would be, and I realized that's because my chosen field involves constant risk-taking! It'd probably be impossible to stay inside your comfort zone and still gain success as an actor. I think the hardest thing for me is playing sexy characters on stage, because there are so many private elements to that that suddenly become public. I've had to do this a couple of times, and though I'll never really be typecast in these kinds of roles, facing your fears by playing other characters can be kind of liberating and safe in a way, because they're not directly connected to you, if that makes sense. But every time I put myself out there and audition for a show, I'm taking a risk. There's a lot of rejection in this industry, and every time you step foot in an audition, you're risking being rejected and all that comes along with that; this career is not for the faint of heart. Ultimately, I guess my decision to pursue performing will always be my "big risk," but I can't imagine not doing it. I'm risking not having a steady paycheck, not knowing when I'll book another job, and not having a permanent, settled lifestyle, but nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Share your biggest risk in the comments below!

P.S. Don't forget! If you want to be featured on a future Q+A, just leave a comment below or contact me at withoutastyle@gmail.com!

8 comments

Suzanne Carillo Style Files October 21, 2013 at 9:37 AM

This was very interesting and a great way to be introduced to some new bloggers.

The greatest risk I took would be any one of the times I decided to up and move somewhere on my own to travel and live. France, Italy, England and Scotland and then travels through Portugal, Spain and Germany. Each one taught me so many lessons about myself.

Thank heavens for the "the boy". : )

bisous
Suzanne
The Braided Bandit October 21, 2013 at 12:26 PM

I feel like you know its a good post when you want to read every single word even without pictures haha! Really enjoyed everyone's biggest risk story and what a great question!
Midnight Cowgirl October 21, 2013 at 7:20 PM

These stories are so inspiring!
Rakel October 22, 2013 at 2:26 AM

great post :)
Anonymous October 22, 2013 at 7:07 AM

This post seriously brightened my day. I love hearing about the risks you and other inspiring bloggers took in life, and how they've positively affected them ever since! My parents are travel writers so I grew up living in many different countries with them, and in the 6th grade I lived in Portugal for a year and learned Portuguese at a public school. That was a huge risk at a very young age! But I'm also currently taking a risk by living and going to school in New York, when all of my family members and friends live in Illinois. It's tough but it's totally worth it!

Xo, Hannah

sweetsweetnoir.net
Barbie // Fringe & Feathers October 24, 2013 at 11:54 AM

This post couldn't have come at a better time because I am entertaining the possibility of taking the biggest risk of my life as we speak!! Thanks for the inspiration.

I did pack up and move earlier this year -- I agonized long and hard about the decision, but it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I didn't really see it as a risk, but it was a big decision and I'm glad I took it.