Slow is better
I think the biggest pressure I feel with representing my business on social media is attempting to be uber vulnerable all the time. And produce quick, new, and exciting content.
I’ve realized, slowly, that this really is not possible for me. At least at this point in my life. Maybe it is my Scorpio essence, but I value privacy so much. I don’t think I realized that when I began this journey.
This week, two years ago, I launched In Bloom Coaching. YAY two years of business! I was bright-eyed, fully in my Fool card energy, and ready to change the world! Little did I know, this business idea would transform a full 360 degrees, not even a year into being in business. I’ve since added tarot readings and my homemade candles to the lineup. And I’m so not even close to being done there.
Being a small business owner has allowed me to grow skills I had no idea I’d be practicing. Social media marketing, video editing, production, art direction, and graphic design are among many of the roles I’ve had to blindly thrust myself into. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE this part. And I knew that this would happen to some degree. I guess I just didn’t realize the amount of energy I’d be giving to areas I am not skilled in. You might be thinking, “Ok, then hire help, Lorraine?” Well, that sounds like a great idea! But help requires extra funds that I don’t have at the moment.
So back to the drawing board, I went over the last several months during my break. To be honest, I haven’t been solely focused on my business over this time. I’ve been putting energy into my day job, fun DIY projects, healing practices, and just resting. I heard recently that burnout can take years to recover from and I feel that!
About 3 years ago, I left a really toxic work environment that drove me into a super deep depression. After quitting, diving deeper into my spiritual journey, and discovering I wanted to be a coach, I ran full speed in the opposite direction of where I had been taught to go. I wanted everything to be easy, flowing, and natural. I tried this way of work-life for a couple of years. And it worked for me for a time.But when I reached this point where I was juggling a day job and a small business, that “easy” state became so hard. I was heading into burnout mode again. Really? What was I doing wrong?
I’m still moving through this, but so far I’ve come to this: Not everything in life is going to be easy. Some things are really hard. We are worthy of everything. But we cannot just wish something will happen for us and demand that it falls into our lap. That is not how the universe will work for longevity and sustainability. Practices like manifestation do take work and dedication on our part to see our dreams into fruition. I think a lot of spiritual people get the meaning of “worthy” and “deserving” confused. If we constantly navigated this world like we automatically deserved everything, then that sounds a lot like privilege doesn’t it? Personally, I stand on a fine line between privileged and underprivileged identities. It’s very layered and I try to do my best to check the “deserving” attitude with the inherent worthiness of my being.
So no, I don’t just expect life to be easy anymore. I’m too tired of the world letting me down when I wear those rose-colored glasses. But that doesn’t mean I expect things to be hard either. I’m aiming for a detachment from a certain black and white outcome. I strive for presence and mindfulness over pleasure and happiness because these feelings can be temporary.
I don’t expect anyone to understand or relate to what I’m saying here. I’m just sharing my take on navigating work, life, and the spaces in between. So what does all of this have to do with my approach to social media with my business?
A lot actually.
It means that I cannot show up 100% all the time. It means I can’t always be vulnerable. I can’t share the private areas of my life that I’m not ready for. My approach now requires better boundaries so that I can feel safe from falling into a cycle of burnout again. I’m currently working on a rebrand (as you can see already) and I’m taking my sweet time with it! No timelines or pressure. Just allowing the inspiration and creativity to come when it is ready.
Hope you choose to take your time as well.
Xoxo Lo
