Generally speaking, I am not one for inspirational quotes. I don’t have a poster with a kitten on a branch that says, “Hang in there!” and I always bypassed Successories at the mall. But a funny thing happened to me in the laser cut wood aisle at the craft store. I was wandering the store waiting for ideas to strike me and I saw this little laser cut sign:
Since I was looking for project ideas for this little blog, it got me thinking about the nature of this job. Since I started there have been highs and lows, one day pinterest is good to me, the next it isn’t. One day I’m selling a good amount of printables and then Etsy changes their search algorithm and my sales completely tank. Sometimes it feels like these external things that I have no control over are making everything twice as hard as it should be.
So I got out my acrylic paints and got to work. Painting wooden things was pretty much my first craft obsession when I was a kid and it is something I will always always love. So it reminded me why I create. I don’t do it to gain readers or get re-pins. I do it because I HAVE to. It’s like breathing for me. And it can be hard to remember that when you get caught up in the minutiae of running a small business (especially around tax time, yuck!). And it can also be hard not to compare yourself to others. How many readers they have and how many pageviews…
But it doesn’t really matter, I should be enjoying the things I’m making and enjoying the nice comments you all give me. And I should be embracing all the things I’ve learned about business and social media and marketing. It’s been fascinating.
But I think this also struck another chord with me, one that I didn’t really figure out until later. Aa came home from work, saw this little sign and said, “Oh, that’s about the baby right?” And I realized that he was totally right. (Oh and p.s. this is my way of telling you all that O’s going to be a big brother in August!) This is simultaneously exciting and terrifying. Terrifying for all the normal reasons that I’m sure all second time moms have, like, how in the world will I have time for anything anymore? But also because this time, I have a lot more anxiety that everything will be ok and that’s making it harder to sit back and enjoy the pregnancy. But also, almost five years after I was pregnant with O, it is so. much. harder. this time. I’m completely exhausted but I’m also dealing with some back problems, a leftover result of carrying O, that leave me uncomfortable and in some pain basically all the time. So it can be really really hard to look beyond that and focus on what will hopefully be an adorable end result.
So I’m going to put this little sign up on the wall right over the top of my computer where I can’t help but look at it all day and hope that I can remember to look past the hard parts of life and try and embrace the journey. After all, if you don’t, then what’s the point?
If you liked this, you may also like some of my other posts…
- DIY Fire Hydrant and Poodle Costume - October 22, 2024
- Poodle Hat Knitting Pattern - October 22, 2024
- Little Devil Hat Knitting Pattern - October 15, 2024
Leslie says
I love the details in it! Congratulations on the new little cutie as well.
Cassie May says
thanks Leslie!!
becky @dempsterlogbook says
Congrats on the new baby! Thanks for sharing with us at Motivational Monday!
Gentle Joy says
The sign is beautiful… and congratulations. 🙂
Cassie May says
thank you!!
Nichole says
Love this post! Xo.
Cassie May says
xoxo!!!
Lisa @Wine & Glue says
OH!!!! Congratulations!!!! Seriously, the older you get, the harder pregnancy is. But I’m so happy for you!
Cassie May says
thanks lisa!! xo!
Jennie says
First of all, congratulations! I’m so happy for you! 🙂 And oh my goodness, I so relate with embracing the journey as a creative person. I wrote a post (that hasn’t published yet) about the same thing–about making things because I am a maker, because that is who I am, whether or not I get pageviews, sales, accolades, or whatever. I hope you have a wonderful pregnancy and delivery and that you will be able to live in the moment and do what you love! You are such an inspiration to so many.
Cassie May says
Thank you so much Jennie! Xoxo!