I don’t know where I’m goin’
But I sure know where I’ve been
David Coverdale
Want to hear something embarrassing? I’ve been popping into this empty blog for over a year now. Yup. I would come in, and move around a few things here and there. perhaps tweak a color or header, X out of the window, and come back another day to do the same thing but different. I kept waiting for it to look perfect, have the best welcome message, about me section, exude confidence and professionalism – you know? Exactly what you want something to look like that’s been around for a while. Kinda sad, huh?
Let’s rewind the story even more. Fifteen years ago, I had a blog. I used to post handmade cards and scrapbook pages that I made. I would list out all the materials I’d used to make said card/page and then I would link it on a link party (remember those?). Then, I transitioned into digital scrapbook pages and that’s where I discovered my love of digital art. I also learned that I loved to use web code to make my blog look different than everyone else’s. The more I toyed around with both of those things, the more I evolved into a blog designer and I got hired to create beautiful custom blogs by an amazing company that allowed me to work from home and stay home with my babes.
I was a work-at-home mom, I felt fulfilled, and I loved it. I wanted more of it. I wanted to open an Etsy shop selling my digital cards and party items. So I did. I made printables. I made cupcake toppers. I made vinyl iron-on decals and that’s where shit hit the fan. Somewhere in the middle of all that, I stopped blogging. It was the shift from Blogspot to WordPress that put the nail in the blogging coffin for me. It was a beast I just didn’t have the energy to learn about.
I quit blog design. I quit printables. I quit my blog. I was making a boatload of money on Etsy creating vinyl decals and it was awesome. I didn’t enjoy what I did, but I LOVED feeling valuable in a monetary way and I LOVED that I had time for my school-age kids. But, I missed the blogging.
Then, we moved to Oregon (we used to live in CA) and I decided that I wanted to start putting my vinyl decals directly on the shirts and shipping them to customers all ready to go! I had a downstairs office where I had drawers and drawers of inventory. The business was great. However, after my peak with Etsy in about 2017, things started to go downhill. Literally. I watched my sales plummet on Etsy. I struggled to come up with new designs and stay fresh and current. It seemed like all I was doing was pouring my soul into the business and getting scraps in return. Along came companies masquerading as “handmade” but were actually shipping directly from overseas. That was the death of my Etsy shop.
I found a part-time job outside the home. I sold all my inventory and gave the rest to charity. I sold the inventory shelves and drawers. I packed away the tools and machines. I closed that chapter of my life. I wasn’t sad to see it go. I felt free. I was terrified to now be out in the workforce, though. I felt like I wasn’t qualified to do anything. I realize now that I was selling myself short. But, I had no confidence in my skills at that time. I still missed the connection I felt when writing and blogging.
Fast forward a few years, and now here I am in 2022. 36 years old. Mom to two teenagers. I knew with all my heart that I NEEDED to start writing this blog. I made a resolution – nay – a promise to myself, that I would hop back on Instagram (yeah I dabbled in that too) and start posting about our home renovation journey. The connection I felt to complete strangers and the support I received from them was unlike anything I’ve experienced. Except for my amazing family who are my biggest hype fans, I have never experienced such pure excitement from people that do not know me, but who are hoping and wishing for me to succeed. It is seriously unreal.
I posted an Instagram story a little bit ago and I got a message from one of my dear IG gal pals that I absolutely love. She told me that I look so confident on camera. I told her that the reason I look like that is because I know I have amazing women like her supporting me and I’m right there supporting them too! “Pot It Up Girl!”
If you’ve made it this far, you’re amazing! We’re now besties.
I’m happy to say I’ve learned a lot along the way, but one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is: JUST START! Stop waiting to be perfect, or learn a little more, or whatever. Just. Go.
If you wouldn’t mind, take 5 seconds and introduce yourself. I will read it. I will respond.
