Reflection:
Pt. I - Where I started last month…
I was fully employed, working 40+ hour weeks and spending every other waking moment learning and growing in my brand with just the littlest of inklings I wanted to start my own business. I spent every morning and afternoon with two of the most amazing co-workers I have ever (and may ever) have. I started last month still incredibly sick from my respiratory issues and still too scared to do much about it. June was hectic between work and interviews and finally seeing our friends again. I was exhausted. and excited all wrapped into one.
This time last month I was creeping into my first three weeks of unemployment from a “real” adult job. I was excited to have time off but also scared for when savings would run out. I decided to start a small business (and got it to launch within 30 days of deciding this). I celebrated a lovely 8 months with my sweet Cody and saw some incredible films, stars in Prescott and more.
Pt. II - What’s changed this month is…
I am full time content creating and working from home (for free). I am sleeping in until 10am (at least) most days and spending time late into the nights and early mornings watching films with Cody or working and learning and working. This month I have struggled more mentally. I have gained incredible respect for my parents - both entrepreneurs at some junction in their lives - for getting my first taste at just how hard a business and life and love and friends can be. I have learned and am working on being more patient and not allowing my quick temper and emotions be more important than the people and things I love. I am working hard to let go - truly let go - and find the positives. This month I have slept, and enjoyed and gone out of my comfort zone many a times. I networked with a woman in Target - I made it through a whole fireworks show on the Fourth of July and wore the damn bikini. I have gotten (a little) less sick and am quickly running out of savings - yee haw.
Pt. III - The lessons I have learned over the last 30 days are…
The first time you do anything you really want to do might suck - do it anyways.
Ask for help - kindly and often.
Gimmicks are just that and what really works for 99% of things in life you want to fix gotta be done the old fashioned way - with hard freakin work.
Investing in yourself is THE most important thing, however, make sure your investments are that - not quick fixes.
The desire to always learn is extremely powerful and motivational.
The Marvel movies are incredibly good and I can’t believe I missed out on this until now.
Find someone who feels like sunshine and stick with them.
No fight or amount of pride is more important than your relationship with someone.
Never go to bed angry at your partner - stay up, work it out, even if that means staying up until 3am.
Authenticity and genuine love for other human beings, their passion and those things that spark a light in them are still the best parts of being human.
Wear the damn bikini.
Getting through a lifetime of particular treatment and mindsets to healthier ones is incredibly hard, emotional and tiring.
I’m not actually sure how any photographers, bloggers, influencers or anyone shoots outside in an Arizona summer without wanting to perish or quit half way through.
Waking up super stinkin early for amazing treats at a local bakery is 100% worth it.
Wear. Sunscreen.
Give what you receive and receive what you give.
Pt. IV - My intentions for the next month are…
To get a (paying) part time or full time job
Focus on growing my business organically and authentically with community members
To spend time on myself NOT working
To spend phone-free time with Cody, friends and family
To continue learning in work, business, and personal life
Pt. V - My goals for next month are…
Work for my first (officially) paying client with CCCo.
Create and share resources on ACC
Focus on finding my niche
Go the gym at least 3 - 4 times a week
Actually get all my vitamins in for the day
Start waking up earlier
Make plans for later in the year to travel
Make and go to doctors/dentist appointments
Pt. VI- By the end of the month I want to have…
DONE : gone to a doctor and mental health appoint - worked out consistently - seen our new seedlings bloom - supported my friends and sisters starting back in school
FELT: community (online AND offline) - respect for myself, from myself - loved
DISCOVERED: a new halloween decoration - where my tweezers went - a new skill for myself/work
Pt. VII - I will know I have done these things by…
Receiving regular paychecks// having a work schedule (To get a (paying) part time or full time job)
Reaching out to and meeting at least 3 new people (Focus on growing my business organically and authentically with community members)
Set hours for myself M-F and Saturdays (To spend time on myself NOT working)
Putting my phone away for time together or leaving it in the car/apartment (To spend phone-free time with Cody, friends and family)
Complete at least two of my online course (To continue learning in work, business, and personal life)
Adding meet ups and calls to my calendar (Work for my first (officially) paying client with CCCo.)
Adding 2 resource topics to my writing list in August and assigning them dates to write on my writing days (Create and share resources on ACC)
Continue to focus on the content I enjoy creating and find resources to help me narrow in my search (Focus on finding my niche)
By going to the gym and working out - ideally with a buddy! (Go the gym at least 3 - 4 times a week)
Add taking my vitamins to my morning routine and keeping near the fridge (Actually get all my vitamins in for the day)
Going to bed at a better time (Start waking up earlier)
Looking at places to visit when in Denver - making a budget for possible Disney trip in October (Make plans for later in the year to travel)
Call and schedule appointments no later than the second week of August (Make and go to doctors/dentist appointments)
Pt. VIII - While doing these things, I want to feel like…
I am becoming a better person. I am doing these things because I want and need to and know they will make me better to serve my friends, family and community. I am doing good - all small steps are worthy of celebration. I am only competing against myself and no one else.
Pt. IX - The way I want to show up for this in my actions will look like…
Being mindful - setting out a time sensitive schedule/to-do list prioritizing these goals and my feelings.
Excitement - small rewards and moments of reflection to be proud and acknowledge perfectionism I am accustomed to is not normal nor healthy. Any accomplishment is a good one, no matter how big or small.
Gratitude - saying thank you and relishing the smallest of niceties, favors and assistance.
Putting who I serve over my ego - choosing to decline collaborations that don’t serve my audience, choosing to spend time with my family and friends for the sake of it and not because of FOMO.
Sharing - communicating my highs, low, accomplishments and missed marks with my confidants and audience.
Pt. X - Mantras I will think of, display or tell myself to remember these goals are…
Having a bad day does not mean you have a bad life
You will make something even better tomorrow
You can’t fill another persons cup if yours is empty
Pt. XI - The People I Connected With This Month Are…
My dear sister, Kristen and her partner, Joey. I am so thankful for all of our fun times spent together this past month at the pool, over meals or hilarious board games. Couple friends are fun, but they are the funnest.
Cody’s High School Friends. As joyous and kind and fun as he is, his friends were no different. I feel so lucky to have a glimpse into the support and love he has had since his time in Arizona started and feel grateful knowing he is loved for all he is and will be by others. They are also all a very fun time.
My Dad. This has been a tough month of loss and grief and hard work that ebbs and flows and I have felt it - even from thousands of miles away. I am thankful for late night kind words, bearing of real, hard and raw emotions and endless photography advice. I am also thankful Fantasy Football is just around the corner - he will probably kick my butt.
My Mom. We have found ourselves more alike this month than before and it is both strange and reliving and revealing to be so similar. She has been inspiring and has never lost her ambition and faith. She is always the strong, ambitious, recklessly-loving woman I have always known but phone calls have been extra special this month.
Pt. XII - People I can reach out to this month for support and guidance are…
Cody. Even though he is my roommate, other half, and best friend I know I need to reach out for support and help more than I do. I know this is something special because of how hard it is for me to ask for help. Support I don’t have to ask for because it is - without hesitation or question - given. I am the luckiest of all for that fact alone.
College Friends. At an age where networking is making or breaking you I know I need to lean on and reach out to those small and big friendships I made in my short 3 and a half years at ASU.
My dearest most closest sister friends. Late nights at the Vine for some fun or long chats on the Adelphi couches at the house are long overdue.
Mentors. While I do not have one professionally at the moment I know I need to find someone with the wisdom and insight and love and push to make me better.
Pt. XIII - The People I Want to Remember to Reach out to Support Them This Month are…
Home-town best friends. The friendships that haven’t been very active but ought to be are much overdue for some love and life updates.
Sisters. Either from grief or stubbornness I have not been active within my group of sisters and know during this time (recruitment) all the love, coffee and snacks are helpful. Pop in’s for more than hugs but rather “how are you” “are you sleeping” “can I help?” are much needed and something I wish I had when I was a collegiate.
My brother. As we have grown up, in many ways we have grown apart. Either from very different personalities or reaction to shared trauma differently in addition to living in different regions and jobs and so on - we don’t really talk. I think in this season of his life - moving to a new state, starting school, starting work and apprenticeship - this is more important than ever to be the big sis again.
Planning
Pt. I - Key Projects for the Month Ahead are…
Pt. II - The Most Important Thing for Business this Month is…
Pt. III - The Most Important Thing for Personal this Month is…
Pt. IV - What needs to go in the parking lot is…
Note: The template for my monthly reviews is from the lovely blogger, Sarah Kathleen Peck. You can check her and her wonderful writing out here (I highly recommend).
