I finally accepted that I didn't know what the hell I was doing.
I’ll just say it. The grass was looking greener. In 2022, after the 2nd year of pivoting my creative wellness biz as often as some people change underwear, I thought, “hell, this isn’t working, time to find a stable museum gig.”
So I tried, and applied, and networked. And gah! It all seemed so stale and out of alignment.
My best moment was when I called a new connection at 9am like we agreed. But.
I called at 9am Paris time, which was 3am her time on the U.S. east coast. Yikes. Strike 1 yet?
Then I got hung up on the idea of corporate wellness. “Yeah! I’ll teach mindfulness for huge corporations that go against all my values!” Hmmm…Strike 2….
2022 was like a tango that I couldn’t keep up with and my partner (my biz) was heavy-footed and stepping all over my toes!
Instead of eagerly reaching out for Strike 3, I spent the 2nd half of ‘22 in deep contemplation and learning. After 4 years of trying to run my own business, I finally accepted that I didn’t know what the hell I was doing.
It was a relief honestly. I stopped running around my biz like an elephant in a ceramics shop and
- embarked on a soul purpose journey to deeply understand myself and my life’s work
- cried and grieved the life I was on the path towards but didn’t get to experience
- got mad curious about how to actually run an online business and soak in sooooo much knowledge
I was burned out from desperately, frantically turning in every which direction trying to find my way back to a life and lifestyle I desired. I burned through deep layers of energy. And I almost gave up on myself because of it.
But what got me back on track? Grieving and letting go. Accepting the life I was living. These are nuanced self care practices that most people skip over.
See, it’s impossible to move forward when we haven’t truly let go and grieve what we lost. Even if it’s an idea or a project or a lifestyle you no longer have access to.
And once you let go, there’s so much spaciousness ready to be filled with deeper understanding. And wisdom. And appreciation for what is.
So if you’re desperately holding onto something that isn’t working. Consider letting it go so that you can create the space for something even better to grow and thrive within you.
the SELF CARE REFLECTION QUESTION
Here's a helpful journal prompt that comes from today's share:
What's something you've been desperately holding onto and putting so much energy towards? Is it time to let go of this? Is it time to shift expectations? Is it time to pause on this to give yourself a chance to recover and gain some clarity?
Take a quiet moment and write the answers as they intuitively come up. Share in the comments if this was a helpful practice ♡
the NURTURING POWER MOVE
Here's this week simple self-care action. A tiny nurturing step that'll take you and your creativity far...
Check your posture!
Yes! Simple as that!
Make sure your spine is elongated--the lower spine relaxing down and the upper spine lengthening towards the sky. Witness your shoulders naturally relax and descend and your heart space open with confidence.
When we're slumped over, it negatively affects our energy and our mood. We have a harder time being motivated by our heart and what really matters to us. Self doubt creeps in and we put off the things we know we otherwise have the energy to make happen.
The next time you're in a slump check to see if your body is literally in a slump. Lengthen and notice how you reconnect to you in this simple yet powerful way.
Try it out and let me know what you think in the comments!
the CREATIVE ENERGY FORECAST
Here's this week's insight for creative flow this week.
Let's see what's good ↓:
Week of March 17:
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Aries season is upon us, oh lordy! So it's time to start ramping up to put our creative projects out into the world since Aries szn = visibility szn, babes.
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I kid you not, my web video conferencing software crashed out all over my lovely client's session today and all I can say is
thank goodness for FaceTimeMercury is retrograding like a mofo. And Venus too. So things may feel a lil' extra uncomfortable when it comes to money and all things communication. -
Last thing I wanna throw out there is that there's that off feeling going around. That waiting-for-the-other-shoe-to-drop kinda liminal space limbo situation. We're all feeling it. And as creatives, it's our authentic work that ushers us through these times, not necessarily unscathed, but definitely stronger, wiser, and more trusting in our unique purpose. So lean into what feels like it needs to be expressed right now and make it happen!
INSIDE the STUDIO
Creative Biz & Life updates to keep you in the know.
self care meets business strategy
So I've been laying pretty ding, dang, dong low for these last 3 months. ~over here taking winter hibernation literally~ But now the (figurative) studio is opening the windows for fresh air, cleaning the corners, refreshing things and getting ready to have a get-together (yeah, with you!).
On April 22nd, I'm hosting my first live workshop since 2023 and I'm amped! You should be too! Coz creative success isn’t just about the work—it’s about how you take care of yourself while doing it. And that's what this workshop is allll about so what you set out to do each quarter doesn't turn you forever into a sweatpants-wearing, Netflix-binging couch potato.
We just want that sometimes..well, like every night.
But not all day! ...well, all day on Fridays only.
Anyways, you can save your spot below!
is it really happening? website? finally?
Indeed it is my beloved reader, indeed it is. Phase 01 of my website is going live at the end of this week! What's included in this phase, you ask? Well, it's all about the website basics: home page, about, contact, services, blog...but also some fun stuff like my podcast and well, this newsletter!
For the first time in about 5 years, you'll be able to type in my website and go to a site I'm proud of. And, I did it all by myself! I used to hire help and be woefully unsatisfied. This time, I used some of Amanda's templates (aff. link) and mixed in a smidgen of blood, sweat, and tears--et voila!
dem's the rules, baby
Recently (and finally) my partner and I activated home rules. With 2 boys and a tiny flat, this is the least we could have done to inject a little harmony in our home. And alls I can say is--I wish I had done this sooner! The boys whole-heartedly champion the rules ~they apply to each of us without a hierarchical person who's "above the law"~
We've seen generally more justice and equity and each of us really owning our actions instead of blaming others. And since they're measurable, we can really use them as sort of a mediation tool for disagreements and moments of heighted energy. We're not done yet, we're still in the process of putting a just and fair consequence with each rule. Stay tuned for how that goes!
That’s it. That’s the news. See ya next Sunday Sundae.
LOVE THIS? KNOW A FELLOW CREATIVE WHO NEEDS THIS KIND OF ENERGY IN THEIR INBOX? FORWARD THIS LINK—BECAUSE REAL ONES DON'T GATEKEEP THE GOOD STUFF.
FEELING THIS WEEK'S SUNDAE'S BEST? IF YOU'RE READY TO TAKE IT DEEPER, ME TIME, MADE SIMPLE IS WHERE WE WORK TOGETHER TO PUT ALL THIS INSIGHT INTO ACTION—WITHOUT THE BURNOUT. CHECK IT OUT!
NEXT SUNDAE, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE BIGGEST SELF-CARE MYTH THAT'S KEEPING YOU STUCK ON REPEAT—AND NO, IT'S NOT ABOUT BUBBLE BATHS. STAY TUNED!
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