I wanted to start my new series "Finding Your Joy" in the spirit of Spring and the renewal that it brings. This is a time when I feel refreshed and ready for what the world has to offer. This is a time when we are cleaning our closets, revamping our wardrobes and breaking out our craft supplies in preparation for a new start.

I've gathered some amazing women to talk to you about finding your joy, and working for your dreams. Without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to our first guest...Shenee Howard!

I am writing this post about 4 hours after I should have launched my site. I am in the middle of an epic battle with my developer to get my site live and have a pile of emails to go through. Did I mention that my developer might be ignoring me? I haven't really slept. I have eaten more pasta than any one person should and I feel pretty crummy.

I know what you are thinking: When is she gonna get to the joyful bits?

Right now. Here is the thing: I am here. I am talking to you right now about how I am finally doing the work I have always wanted to do. The work I was born to do. And that makes me feel about 800% better.

I was so honored when Janelle emailed me. I have to say it was exactly what I needed at the time. I have moments where I feel like I can't send another email or tweet. I wonder if I can scan through another site without going completely mad.

My story is a fairly common one. A while ago, I was on the job search and I felt really defeated so I decided to abandon it and do anything else. I stumbled upon a blog or two about entrepreneurship and I jumped on board. I didn't have much money and I didn't have a plan but I had the intense desire to not apply for anymore jobs. I sent emails. I designed things. I wrote things. I made a lot of mistakes.

I just knew I couldn't go backwards.

Living a life doing the things you love isn't always easy. There are struggles. There will always be snags. Especially when you are starting out. We are all just learning.

But we do it because we long to be free, right? I would rather stress myself out and go totally crazy staying up all night doing MY WORK and not the man's dirty work. My work. Your work. Doesn't that sound amazing to say?

I decided that the best thing I could do here is to give you some of the greatest advice I try to give myself daily:

• Act like you already have it: A lot of the times we watch successful people do things that we think we want/should be doing. It can be a little disheartening watching people thrive while we are trying to survive. You don't have to. Get out there. Share your work. Show people what you can do. Have yourself together in such a put-together way that they will just assume that you are an expert. But here is the crazy part: You are.

• Hustle, in moderation: I am used to pimping myself off. Earlier on in my journey, I would email people all the time and tweet like a mad woman. You don't have to do all that. Send an occasional cold email once and a while but focus on doing great work and forming real relationships with people.

• Everyone is a potential friend: If you come into contact with someone you think is cool, get in touch. The more relationships you form, the easier your journey will be. It is always to get some support for what you are doing. It is also great for the karma to give it to others.

• Growing sucks, a lot. But that's ok: Because sometimes it hurts. It can be embarrassing. It can cost you money but we gotta do it. I always give myself such a hard time when I make mistakes and I have tried to stop doing that as much. Make a mistake, clean it up and learn not do it anymore. Plus, perfect is boring.

• Give yourself a break: This is very important to me. A lot of the times we feel like we have to be plugged in at all times and be available to people and that is soul-sucking. Take one day every week and abandon all your work commitments and do something new. It's scary at first. I am a workaholic and I am not good at breaks. But your work will be much better. Plus, absence makes the heart grow stronger, right?

Here is what I want to tell you: You kick ass, ok? You do. And if I can find joy without getting any sleep and crying all night, I know you can. I am so excited to see what you can do. If you ever want to connect, I am on twitter. @sheneeh. My new site is www.eightthirtyfive.com.

Hopefully it will be ready by the time you click.