Soon after this new site launched and I vowed to blog more often…. life got weird. I’m not going to go into detail, but I have been facing some personal challenges and it has been hard to game-face it for my business’s sake. It’s the first time something in my personal life has really effected my desire or will to work. Sometimes you just can’t fake it. I continue to miss this blog but sometimes I feel like I just need to be honest with myself. I am one person trying to run a busy business. I am a human trying to deal with life. I can only do so much, and it’s unhealthy to be “on” all.the.time.
I embraced this concept on a recent trip to Italy. And thankfully, I left feeling inspired. Absence really did make my heart grow fonder. Or something. I came home very ready to work. Good thing too, because I’m behind on my holiday release. Like whoa. I can NOT wrap my head around the fact that we’re approaching the end of September. Didn’t the 4th of July JUST happen??
Anyways, I’ve really been trying to buckle down and focus. I’m launching two new products for the holiday and it has been quite a learning experience figuring out all the logistics. How to make it, how to store it, how to offer it at craft shows, how to offer it wholesale, how to package it for wholesale, how to package it for retail…. I mean, running a business is no joke! So much to figure out! But it has felt very rewarding to try something different and leave my comfort zone in order to learn new things. I’m really excited about to share these new products and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
Well, this was a fun little catch-up but I better get back to working on the holiday line so I can release it ASAP. What have you been working on lately? Anything new? xo JA
You take all the time you need Julie Ann! Don’t worry, you are ‘on’ enough, especially on Social Media! I love following you, but your calmness and happiness is important! Take time off if you need, and enjoy life! <3! You are doing great!
I feel you. I got some blogger burnout a while back and took a month off of blogging. I feel like you have to step back once in a while and re-evaluate things. If you’re constantly worried about all of the details of business and stuff you have to cross off your to-do list every day, it can be numbing. I’m glad you got to go to Italy and left feeling better about things! Running a one-woman show is exhausting, and there’s no shame in needing a break. You’re doing an amazing job and I totally look up to you 🙂
They say highly creative people have a tendency to burn out like this at times. I have this happen to me and it’s such an epic bummer. The best you can do is step back and give yourself some space. 🙂 Being a small business owner, especially with the type of businesses that we run, is exhausting. Take care of yourself and it’ll all work out. You’re too badass for it to completely consume you!
I’ve been working on a baby! Haha. I became a mom in July and have been on a break from life until this week – first week back to work. So life has been transition after transition and another transition coming up next week as I’m going to start working at a different facility within my company. But I have big big plans to get back into blogging and starting something that can hopefully afford me to be home with my little girl more often!