The past few weeks have already felt hectic, despite the fact that Summer literally just started. Alas, I’ve taken calls wearing a sweater in the NC mountains, and this morning wearing a bathing suit in FL. Not saying this to say oh look at me, I’m traveling! Just to say - I’m trying to do the things I’ve been saying I think we should all do. Do the things you love, and find a way to do them while also making money so you can keep doing them. It’s fairly simple, but sometimes I forget that’s the whole point of life (if you so choose to subscribe to this ideology): to enjoy it. I find myself so often wrapped up in the “work” of it all - the how can I make money, what other event can I do, what other partnership, project, pop-up, etc etc can I do that will generate more sales, introduce me to more people, look good on paper. But then in the midst of it all, I’m exhausted and overwhelmed and sort of miserable.
That’s exactly what happened last year, truth be told. I was reviewing sales from last year with my team this morning, and so I was reflecting on my Q1&2 of 2023, trying to see what was so different about it. (I should note that we were reflecting because sales are down this year vs last - a note I find important to share because business is not all growth growth growth over here, and I’m not about painting a false illusion of reality so it looks pretty for yall. I digress). So, what was so different about last year? Well, I didn’t have Ranna for one. Hobbs was traveling a ton so I was subsequently solo parenting a ton. G was in childcare for maybe a few days a week, a few hours at a time. And I had more interest and revenue coming in than I’d ever experienced before. On paper, it looks like last year was absolutely amazing - business wise. In reality? I was drowning.
This year, however, sales are down. A bummer, of course, but I’m weirdly happier this time this year than I was last. Well, not “weirdly” at all actually - I know exactly why. I have help running the business, G is in school everyday (and loves it), Hobbs has been home more, I’ve had more girls weekends and dinners with friends, and I feel more settled in Atlanta and sure of the direction the business is headed in. I’m attempting to “walk the walk” as I told Ranna the other day. If you’ve read any of my other Shower Thoughts back when it was a blog series, you might understand what I mean. I’ve spoken about taking time for yourself (the airplane theory), believing in yourself as a “Cool Girl,” and owning your story - because it’s yours gosh-dangit. It’s so easy to get caught up with the busyness of life - the hustle culture as many people so aptly named it. Everyone else is doing xyz so I should be doing xyz. Or, my kids need me! How could I ever take time for myself? But that’s all BS. I mean, in a way. There are likely things you need to do, of course, and yes your children/job/family need you. But the false narrative that you don’t deserve to have things that fill your cup and bring you joy, that you can’t take just a smidgen of time for something you love? I’m just not so sure. It’s easier said than done, always. But like I said, I’m attempting to walk the walk. Yall hold me accountable now, alright?
So here I am - writing a Substack from a beach house porch next to my niece who is watercolor painting because it brings me great joy and fills my cup. I spent last week in the mountains with my family in the first half and then my best friend and the dogs in the second half because it filled my cup and made me think clearer and more strategically even though I was away from the office. And I feel no shame about these two instances. Sure, I feel a little anxious about not being in the office; my to do list currently feels endless - but overall, I’m happier, which leads me to be more creative, productive, have an open mind, and feel nourished from the inside out.
I’ll end with this - I don’t have a previous ST to refer to, but I tell my custom clients all the time that if it’s something they’re excited about then its worth celebrating. Getting a piece of custom jewelry (an investment, I fully realize) doesn’t always have to be about the outside message. It doesn’t have to be flashy or have a label or a birthstone or mean anything in particular to anyone else. It just has to mean something to you, and that something (whatever it is) deserves to be celebrated or commemorated. In August, I’ll have had this business for ten years. TEN years! In some ways, I feel like we’re still just getting started, and I have to stop myself from all the negative thoughts that try to tell me that I’m not where I thought I’d be ten years in. But another part of me is saying hell yes, let’s f*cking celebrate!!! So I’m letting the other half win - we’re shoutin’ it from the rooftops (so to speak ;)) We’ll have a fun little gathering in Atlanta in August (pics to come, I promise), and a whole slew of events that are already set in motion this Fall. I’m debuting an entirely new product category in September (one I’ve been dreaming and scheming of for five years at this point, and I can’t thank my friend Ellie enough for believing in me so much that I was finally convinced to take action.) I’m attempting to walk the walk I tell all my clients - celebrate the wins, big, little, anything in between. If it’s something you’re excited about, it’s worth celebrating. Don’t let it pass you by without acknowledging it.
It’s gunna be a good Summer, yall (sales be damn - sort of, not really - please go buy jewelry) but ya know what? It’s gunna be a damn good Fall. So buckle up, and get shoppin’!
Toasting you and your Summer vacays from here,
Mary Frances
PS - I used a childhood photo as the cover for my ST Substack debut because the face felt wildly appropriate for how I felt pressing send. I’d told Ranna I found the picture when I was looking through my rehearsal dinner slideshow folder. Obviously, we went down a rabbit hole then and found more gems. So, you’re welcome. Thank Ranna for today’s pic.
What’s In My Ears - Tumblin’ by The California Honeydrops