Launching the shop, marketing, packing orders, photography sessions, honeymoon, holiday baking, and holiday design release? WHEW. Is that all I've been up to?
Last blog, I told you I was going on my honeymoon. We took 10 days to drive 3000+ miles and walked what felt like 1000 miles. We drove (from Iowa) all the way to Washington D.C., up to Frederick Maryland, hit up Philly for lunch, NYC for a couple days, and Salem for an afternoon. Then we made a stop at the Corning Museum of Glass on our way home. We saw so much! Museums and monuments will probably haunt me for awhile. It was not physically relaxing, but it was a lot of fun, we powered through some amazing towns and saw every little bit we could! It did take me almost a week to physically recover from all the driving/walking. It is not kind to even the most able bodied person to drive for 10 hours, walk for 8 miles, and then drive some more.
Every time someone asks me what I've been up to I just shrug. Partially because I can't remember what I had for lunch today, and partially because I feel like I'm not seeing enough sales to warrant saying I've been super busy. Don't get me wrong, I'm so thankful for the support so far. Keeping the ball rolling with orders feels all consuming. I'm an artist not a master in marketing. I believe in the products I've created from scratch, I just need to find the people who love it as much as I do. We're getting there. I can feel it.
To keep the ball rolling on the website I'm working on some brand spanking new designs, one super awesome sale, and putting together some perfect gift sets. It's truly all I've been able to think about the last week. Some of the goodies I've been cooking up are winter/Christmas themed and others are year round designs. I don't want to give too much away until things are more finalized for launch. I CAN tell you it's only a couple weeks away! *gulp*
Personal transparency headed your way!
In my own healing journey I've been trying to prioritize my health (physically & mentally) over work. That's super hard to do for any able bodied person. I've had chronic pain and inflammation issues for the last decade or more. In the process of healing I realize that I have to prioritize my health over everything, if you don't have your health you don't have anything anyways. My body was in "fight or flight mode" for the better part of my life. Reversing that has been hard, and I'm still working on it. It took a lot of changing the way I think and the way I live for my body to start the healing journey.
When you buy from me you're supporting everything it takes to make these designs happen. I'll always prioritize orders and customers. I want to remain (fairly) transparent, though. Life is not always easy. I'm only one human and deserve to rest when needed. I hope, in being transparent, someone will relate and not feel so weird about what they're going through. For a long time I wanted to pretend I was able bodied because I look the part. You don't have to shout it from the rooftops, I certainly don't, but you do have to admit it to yourself. It's worth it if me mentioning it in passing in some blogs or videos helps someone admit it to themselves and give themselves the permission to rest. Remember, healing is not always linear, taking 3 steps forward and 2 steps back is still progress.
Detoxing from "hustle culture" is SO HARD! Especially when you own a business. I'm not sure how society brainwashed all of us into thinking working a million hours, multiple jobs, or working til we bleed is acceptable. They succeeded. It's wild to take a step back and see how much harm it's done. I am privileged enough to now live a life where I can put my health first and pursue my art. It took a long time to get to this point. Partially because my body wouldn't let me anymore. I don't foresee me swimming in diamonds anytime soon, but I am privileged and grateful nonetheless.
These next couple months are going to simultaneously be the longest and shortest months. We can do it! Did I make this post to hype myself up? Maybe. #worthit
I hope everyone has the chance to rest and breathe during the craziest...I mean, most wonderful time of year!
I'll update you guys soon!
