Love this article Astrid! Such an important reminder that good things do take time--which is so hard to remember in this hyper-speed, on-demand world of ours! Appreciate this gentle reminder.
I’m so glad you brought this up, Astrid. We’re part of the ‘instant’ culture and we expect success to be instant too. For me, it’s taken years to come to terms with the reality of the online space- there is no magic formula. It’s a long game- play it painfully or play it joyfully.
So much truth, Astrid! It’s the creative act that keeps me going even when I make no money. The past few years have been about increasing self-awareness and learning about what works for me both in business and in creating.
Now I struggle more with the seasons changing so I have to be more conscious of my actions and emotions so I don’t fall into despair. I’ve also got a new direction that my work is going in that is so profound that it scares me out of doing it (the resistance to being a beginner is very strong for me). But I’m lucky that I don’t rely on my art income to live--not yet anyway 😉
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Ana! It sounds like you're going through quite a few changes, which is amazing and exciting (and really scary too, that's true). Sending you strength and joy :)
Very good stuff! I've run my own businesses for about 20 years now, and what nobody sees from the outside looking in is all of the grinding and waiting. Years go by while you work your ass off for no pay, 18 hour days and such, and then you begin to make money. People imagine that it's always been like this, and that it was easy to get started. They don't see near-divorces, physical trauma, emotional damage, or any of the dozen other existential struggles you've been through.
Reminding myself of this frequently keeps me (mostly) sane.
Exactly, all the stuff that no one sees! In spite of all those things though, there's something uniquely satisfying in building your own business (though, not, of course if it's costing you your life/happiness).
Oct 19, 2023·edited Oct 19, 2023Liked by Astrid Bracke
Absolutely. I wouldn't trade the life I have for someone else's.
I just sort of wish folks understood the struggle that came before the success, and how I pretty much gave up partying and owning stuff for a long, long time to get here.
Thank you Astrid! I am about 5 months into running a business. Have not had any clients and am feeling like I am swimming against a tide I can't see. This was such a needed reminder that it is normal for things to take time. And your ideas for what to do in that phase are very timely for me. I am currently feeling like giving up but maybe I can find ways to be playful and creative to get through this low. Thanks again for timely reminder to sit it out!
Thank you for commenting and sharing Annika! Not having any clients at this stage is completely normal I'd say--I think it took me at least six months for my first 1:1 client and then there was quite a while between #1 and #2 too. Experimenting and trying things out to grow your visibility in a gentle way is something that you can do in this phase and that might feel good. Of course it's completely up to you, but not having any clients at this stage in your business is no reason to give up. Hang in there! ❤️
Love this article Astrid! Such an important reminder that good things do take time--which is so hard to remember in this hyper-speed, on-demand world of ours! Appreciate this gentle reminder.
Thank you Nina, I'm glad my post was useful! Sending you lots of patience and space ✨
I’m so glad you brought this up, Astrid. We’re part of the ‘instant’ culture and we expect success to be instant too. For me, it’s taken years to come to terms with the reality of the online space- there is no magic formula. It’s a long game- play it painfully or play it joyfully.
I love that Upasana: "play it painfully or play it joyfully"! I'm going for joyfully :)
So much truth, Astrid! It’s the creative act that keeps me going even when I make no money. The past few years have been about increasing self-awareness and learning about what works for me both in business and in creating.
Now I struggle more with the seasons changing so I have to be more conscious of my actions and emotions so I don’t fall into despair. I’ve also got a new direction that my work is going in that is so profound that it scares me out of doing it (the resistance to being a beginner is very strong for me). But I’m lucky that I don’t rely on my art income to live--not yet anyway 😉
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Ana! It sounds like you're going through quite a few changes, which is amazing and exciting (and really scary too, that's true). Sending you strength and joy :)
Very good stuff! I've run my own businesses for about 20 years now, and what nobody sees from the outside looking in is all of the grinding and waiting. Years go by while you work your ass off for no pay, 18 hour days and such, and then you begin to make money. People imagine that it's always been like this, and that it was easy to get started. They don't see near-divorces, physical trauma, emotional damage, or any of the dozen other existential struggles you've been through.
Reminding myself of this frequently keeps me (mostly) sane.
Exactly, all the stuff that no one sees! In spite of all those things though, there's something uniquely satisfying in building your own business (though, not, of course if it's costing you your life/happiness).
Absolutely. I wouldn't trade the life I have for someone else's.
I just sort of wish folks understood the struggle that came before the success, and how I pretty much gave up partying and owning stuff for a long, long time to get here.
Thank you Astrid! I am about 5 months into running a business. Have not had any clients and am feeling like I am swimming against a tide I can't see. This was such a needed reminder that it is normal for things to take time. And your ideas for what to do in that phase are very timely for me. I am currently feeling like giving up but maybe I can find ways to be playful and creative to get through this low. Thanks again for timely reminder to sit it out!
Thank you for commenting and sharing Annika! Not having any clients at this stage is completely normal I'd say--I think it took me at least six months for my first 1:1 client and then there was quite a while between #1 and #2 too. Experimenting and trying things out to grow your visibility in a gentle way is something that you can do in this phase and that might feel good. Of course it's completely up to you, but not having any clients at this stage in your business is no reason to give up. Hang in there! ❤️
I’m able to relate to so many points you mention in your post Astrid, great read.
Thank you for your comment Sonya, I'm happy to hear that you're able to relate to it! x