The Space Between

saying more about my life, lately.

Let’s talk in real time. A behind the scenes chat, if you will.

My friend Lashawn does these and I always enjoy them. It’s like a hybrid of a stream of consciousness and traditional blog post about regular, degular stuff.

That said, here’s what has been going on with me lately.

I wrote three posts on Substack in January. Then I hit a wall in February due to focusing on other content channels. My goal was to write two posts a month here. I want to keep that commitment. With this post today, I’ll meet that goal for February. I want to get on a bi-weekly schedule, eventually, but this will do for now.

I’ve been consistent with writing a newsletter on LinkedIn, recording vlogs for YouTube, and recording episodes of my podcast (it’s coming soon!). All of this alone feels like a full time job and it’s exhausting.

But I’m giving it a shot because I can’t be everybody’s best kept secret forever. I have to step forward into the light and the lane I’ve carved out for myself. Trying to do that and not feel beholden to algorithms and the grip of the content monster is a challenge. I’m making it work for me, however.

I’ve also hired help in my business. I already had one team member (a business manager) and now I have a second to help with backend operations. Her help has already made an impact (see the previous paragraph) and given me more space to work ON my business - not just IN it.

Things on the home front are coming along. My husband is looking for work and it has been a slow burn. This market is a hot garbage ass mess, but we have no choice but to slog through it. I trust opportunities will make their way to him and we’ll be able to recalibrate when they do.

My kids are growing up before my eyes. But that’s what kids do, yes? It’s what they are supposed to do. Keeping my feet on the ground and my ears to the streets of their lives is my goal at all times. At 10 and 15, their needs are different and I’m here to meet them as best as I can. I enjoy my babies and love being their mom, even when the moments get tough and uncertainty about what’s best for them surfaces.

I re-worked my book proposal and feel good about the new direction I’m heading in. I kept getting the same feedback from agents and I went off the grid for a few days to focus on editing. In short, I needed to tighten up the thesis of the book and reframe the messaging with better positioning. I think I achieved that and am more confident about querying this year, now. Finding an agent that feels like a match is like finding a good therapist. It takes time. But I believe I will and am visualizing the day I sign a book deal!

I haven’t been working out as consistently as I usually do. And I’m feeling the difference. I hit a good stride in January, but feel off once it got extra cold. I’ll get back to it, though. My body craves movement and won’t let me forget how important it is. I made some changes to my diet (cutting back on chicken, eating more fish, reducing tomato and avocado intake - all of which are good to do for my blood type) and I’m noticing a difference in my body because of those choices. A low-stress and simplified approach to nutrition is all I have the capacity for at this time, and battling the sugar demon is a daily struggle. Yet and still, slow and steady wins the race toward the vitality I desire to have.

On the whole, I’m okay, and I’m grateful for that. I have my hard days just like everyone else (as I wrote about last week). I’m still focusing on investing in my joy with things that light me up. This month I did a private makeup lesson and it was everything I hoped it would be and more! I’ve decided on my March Joy Journey activity and will book it soon.

Sitting in the discomfort of the space between who I used to be and who I am becoming is HARD. I love all the different parts of me, however, so the discomfort is worth it. Today I affirm: I AM THE WOMAN OF MY DREAMS. Amen.

If you made it this far, thanks for listening with your eyes. 🩷