In June, I was overwhelmed and drowning in my own heart-centred business.
My passion and enthusiasm for my work had not changed (not one bit) and the connection and collaboration with my clients was mostly heart-warming and nourishing.
It was not my client work. It was the ‘other stuff’ around running my own business.
You know the stuff – the endless advice, the overwhelming and expanding social media to do’s, the marketing, the networking, the lack of rest and boundaries, over-thinking, comparing and despairing, the statistics and analytics and the endless skill-building.
Sound familiar?
I work alone most of the time, so I was under the false impression that every day was a connected-to-self day. After all, I have endless opportunity to be alone and luxuriate in my tendency towards introversion and quiet.
I was wrong!
My boundaries between work, rest and play had slowly been eroded and I was neglecting the mindful things and the connecting to self.
How am I feeling right now, etc?
In fact, there was guilt rising within me when I was taking a little time out here and there.
I should not be distracting myself with such introspection.…that is for New Year reflections and resolutions!
And then…
It was only when I was triggered and made a misaligned error in judgement, that the carpet was swept quickly from beneath my feet!!
I had no choice but to somehow ‘feel into’ the discomfort and consequences of my mistake and then attempt to take inspired action…
What did I do?
I had to re-connect with myself and find out what I was supposed to be learning from the drama I had created.
As you have probably experienced, the grit in the oyster will often create a pearl.
The darker times can often precede a period of stretch and growth.
What happened?
I noticed how I was gently guided and soothed. I followed the breadcrumbs to a place deep, deep within.
I found this place by showing myself a big, fat bundle of self-compassion and re-discovered my love for writing a daily journal.
My experiences of connecting with myself again…
I discovered the beautiful blog posts and newsletters from Susannah Conway. In fact, my heart was positively vibrating, singing and doing cartwheels on reading her every word. The resonance was profound and I knew I had arrived in exactly the right place: a reconnection with me and my connection with everything else.
I am midway through the 14 day The Sacred Alone journey and quite honestly, I know I will be doing more of her courses in the future. I feel it is the best life and business decision I have made this year.
In conclusion
We have all the answers within us and we just need to sit quiet and listen and journal to re-connect with our biggest friend and advisor (yourself).
So, this summer I have taken time away from the Social media/Marketing Doing of my business and simply enjoying the experience of working with the clients I have and those that are finding their way to me…;)
My website can wait and will be thoroughly updated in the Autumn.
There is so much more to my business than following endless noise and conflicting external advice.
So, perhaps take a few minutes (or more) every day to connect in with yourself and you will find a goldmine of support and guidance. It could be the best business and life advice you have at your fingertips.
Finally
For the month of August, I will be following the #TheAugustBreak2014 with Susannah Conway, so my next blog will contain 31 pictures by the end of it;) I do hope you enjoy them.
There are so many ways we can connect with our creativity… Have a wonderful summer!
And also
If you enjoyed this post, then do share it with your social media preference…thank you xxx
Beautiful and heartfelt post Lisa – and I can totally relate to every single word. Thank you so much for summing up the place I have also been in for the last couple of months. Luckily, I am also slowly finding my way out and have let go of the outside ‘noise’ and started to put things in place to support my own beautifully unfolding process whilst continuing to work with the clients I really resonate with. What works for me is daily yoga practice and daily gratitude – and some connected stillness in every day – it is so so easy to forget this amongst the mental ‘shoulds’ of solopreneurship!
Oh Helen, it pleases me that I am not the only one…I don’t know about you, but I feel there is a more wholehearted way to do and be in business ….Something feels really off and wrong about what I am generally observing. I am sure there is another way and I am taking small steps to try it my own way….sounds like we at similar points. It would be great to catch up sometime and share our souls 😉
You are definitely NOT the only one! I know there is another way and although I don’t know for sure what that looks like yet, I am learning that by embracing myself fully and FINALLY allowing myself to be seen, I can fully stand back and trust that the way will reveal itself! What a relief to feel that (for now.. I know it may pass as all things do!). I would really love to catch up with you at some point – soul sharing sounds great!
Oh me too! Lets sort something out soon 😉 xx
Lisa, thanks for this. I so needed to be reminded that my answers are within and to connect with the sacred inner self as a soulful vibration that balances out the intensity of cyber space.
Miriam Linderman recently posted…WHY IT MAKES SENSE TO STAY BEFORE YOU BINGE OR PURGE
Yes…yes Miriam…it takes courage to trust AND also to hear but not act on the fear-based inner critic….but to then listen to the wise one within and take action from there. Thanks ;)))
Hi Lisa, I found you via Corrina Gordon-Barnes, and just wanted to say this is exactly where I’ve been with my work recently too. It’s been made even more intense by the amazing weather we’ve been having, which sounds a bit ridiculous but I simply can’t concentrate in the heat and have developed some kind of allergy to anything internet/biz related! This has happened before so I know it passes, and it’s really just a sign for me to step back, which is what I’ve been doing. But as you so beautifully articulated, it had started to get very noisy and I’d find myself reacting to everything that came in rather than pacing it and spending more time on creation {and time out!}. How lovely that you found Susannah’s course at exactly the right time. Am going to investigate your site some more now. 🙂
Tara,
How lovely to hear from you 😉 Nice to meet you here … My website still needs a bit of work and updating, but it is getting there 😉 I know exactly what you mean about the weather… I just cannot concentrate either and have had to go at a slower pace. I have even been a bit ‘ratty’ at times… The journaling has helped a lot.
I think we should fly the flag for a business that syncs with our natural rhythms… I also note that I am influenced by my monthly cycle…Lisa Lister from Sassyology talks about running your business in tune with your menstrual cycle… been interesting to track it and there is definitely something in it for sure 😉
Well I can tell you when my site next needs renewing I know where I’ll be coming! Absolutely love your aesthetic and approach, and I told a friend today who has also earmarked you for her next revamp. We’ve both been poring over your site today. 🙂
Rather glad it’s not just me with the weather! Interesting what you say about matching business to our natural rhythms – I will check out Lisa Lister’s site. I have found something about matching it to the cycle of the moon, which I guess is the same thing. Such an interesting idea and makes so much sense, although I haven’t actually done anything about it yet!
Tara recently posted…the 5 Es of creative ease
Well, you have made my day ( evening 😉 ). It is always lovely to hear when people connect, get what I am doing and see potential in what I could do in the future… I am smiling on the inside and outside…thank you xxx hopefully I will be launching 3-4 websites over the next month or so, so you can see another side to my work 😉 I look forwards to our paths crossing again in the future… Enjoy the Slow and Sacred of Summer xxx
And Wowee!! I love your website and art and what you do!!!