Hi there, Bitchy Readers.
I know my blog has been sparse this summer. Unlike Summer of 2018 where all I did was write from a lake cabin.
That’s the great thing about making progress on your goals. New opportunities show up just as you’re about to pack a suitcase.
As a lot of you know, I stayed in the city to work round the clock on some awesome childfree projects.
The journals are now selling in 14 countries on all Amazon marketplaces. In Japan, one of the volumes is listed under the Occult section. Not sure why...
So now, another goal is to be the top-selling author of the Occult section on Amazon Japan.
Can we make this happen?!!?!
Ha!
Co-hosting the Childfree Girls web-series is a lot of fun. I’m not nearly the nervous wreck about it as we've now shot 5 episodes.
I do take a long time to do my hair and makeup, however.
I do take a long time to do my hair and makeup, however.
And then with the lighting in my office, it barely makes a difference. Except I can tell I’m wearing mascara.
I’m quite vain.
Passion, not babies, gets me out of bed
In previous lifetimes, waking up at 6 in the morning was not going to happen. I'd stay up until 3 practicing my violin.
I now approach my day with a new strategy.
You see, I'm excited to wake up each morning. Because I'm building something that I believe in.
Don't get me wrong, I have days where I'd rather chill in front of the TV and do nothing.
But the thought of creating something that contributes to the childfree community excites me more than sleeping in does.
I'm super new to brand building and it's not for the faint of heart. For me, this is no longer a side hustle. I don't think it ever was a side hustle. I only began this a year ago.
I spend 18 hours a day working on The Bitchy Bookkeeper, which includes Childfree Journals & Childfree Girls.
How the hell do you do that?!?
I made the decision to invest my own money into this venture. No backers, no crowdfunding. I haven't sunk a lot of money into this. Probably $1000 at most.I've learned how to do most everything myself to save costs and because I love learning how to bring my vision to life.
I used the money I had to pay my rent so I could dedicate my time solely to this venture.
This is a scary thing to do when you have no guarantees. Way out of my comfort zone.
But it feels right, you know?
I break my day into 4 parts.
6AM-NOON - Social media content for 12 accounts. Yes, 12! I also listen to 2 or 3 motivational business podcasts, do some journaling + 30 minutes of stretching/basic bad yoga and make coffee.
NOON-6PM - Personal errands, writing, meetings/recording with my Childfree Girls co-hosts. And brunch.
6PM-MIDNIGHT - Brainstorming ideas, editing articles & captions for the next day’s digital content. Oh, and I usually make a nice supper. Sometimes I watch a movie if I need to turn my brain off.
The remaining six hours, I sleep.
7 days a week.
I live in a big city and don't really socialize. I'm in a phase where I love staying home and creating stuff so I rarely notice it's the weekend.
I keep my house tidy. As I live alone and am petfree this is easy enough to do.
On the days when I record with Childfree Girls, my bedroom, closet & ensuite are a mess. Clothes, makeup, hair products galore.
I love mascara and lip gloss, that's usually adequate for my makeup routine. But since I'm vain and on camera, I do everything except contour. I have no patience for that.
My biggest thing is that I have super oily, intolerant skin so I pile on the shine-control powder.
Then I wash my face with the only cleanser my dermatologist will allow me to use.
Every room in my house has note pads, journals, pens & pencils. I brainstorm all the time.
I cannot think of another time in my life where I've felt so creatively inspired and fulfilled. OK, that is not true. My days as a violin teacher and performer had me feeling this way quite often.
However, I enjoy the process of creating so much more now. In my teens and 20s, I was so focused on the future, I rarely took a minute to enjoy the process.
In my 30s, I'm as hungry as ever to achieve but I also enjoy my daily life. I love this decade of my life more than the previous two.
Probably because I live alone in a lovely townhouse with 3 bathrooms.
That's always been my dream. Ha!
Staying motivated on low-energy days.
Yesterday, for example, was a low-energy day for me. I wanted to pull the covers over my head and sleep until noon.
I manage social media for Childfree Girls. We have our daily group message meetings to brainstorm, which usually begin at 3:30 AM my time.
We all live in different countries & time zones.
Right now, the other co-hosts are traveling, so I'm holding down the fort. I could have slept in but I made the commitment to post on social every morning.
I've been so consistent with it now for months that I've formed a habit. Muscle memory takes over on the days where I'm feeling less than inspired.
I really appreciated that habit yesterday. I did everything from my bed. For all 12 accounts.
I slogged through my day, replying to messages, working on ideas and running errands.
I went to visit a friend to get a hug because I really needed one. I had a nice supper, watched a movie and was in bed by midnight.
Today... I'm back on the energy wagon. With results from the previous day's work.
I'm learning to appreciate the lessons of those low energy days. I used to get so stressed out about them.
But now, I look around my house, grateful that I've made this space creative and non-judgemental. I'm allowed to feel whatever I need to feel. And then move on with my day.
It takes effort to form strong habits that help you with your goals.
Each day I add to what I've started. Even when I don't think what I have to say will help anyone.
I've had so much doubt with this blog, even as I write this. But I always ask myself
" Six months from now, how will my actions today help this brand?"
It's going to take 6 months to see results for the journals. And for the web series.
I see how things have progressed with this blog in 12 months. That is what keeps me motivated.
The messages I get from other women on social media who resonate with some of the content I share: a huge motivator.
I have no idea who is going to see what I post.
You start with what you have from where you are. Whatever you need to help you grow will show up.
July 2018, I had an idea and went for it. I knew a fraction of what I know now. And in a year from now, I'll know so much more than I know now.
I'll look at this post on Sept 12, 2020, and think..
"wow, I knew nothing."
I hope this post inspires you to take the leap. Get started on your idea. You don't have to know everything.
Clarity happens over time.
I tweak my website once a week at least. My social media is always evolving.
When you get discouraged, just think of the difference a year makes. Little things add up. Ok, I could add 17 more cliches. You get the idea. Just go do it.
Have a lovely day.
Sincerely,
LeNora Faye
The Bitchy Bookkeeper
Actually an Author
Email:
info at lenorafaye dot com
