I've been looking forward to this first letter soooo much and got to listen while walking the dogs in the woods - an added bonus! I don't have a large audience and I was never one of the 'popular girls', but in terms of Substack, I think that's actually helped me. I've felt the freedom to write from my heart (corny but true) instead of writing only to promote my artwork and illustrations, or for SEO or selling. I thought my business was dead in the water a few months ago after a big commission fell through and I needed to take a day job to pay the bills, but now I feel like that gave me freedom to rethink what I really wanted and to write what I like.
I just loved so much of this, thank you Jen and Sara - here's my favourite snippet; 'We cannot say, "I'm only going to show up if, after I showed up, someone confirms to me that it was worth it for me to show up". We have to be our own confirmation'. I love this particularly because, after almost giving it all up, I decided instead to rebuilt my website and my Substack to be something that I love - and when I look at what I've created and read my content, I'm inspired to keep going even if no one sees or reads my work except for me.
I always love hearing how listeners make space for podcasts in their day - honoured to have joined you on your dog walk today! I love what you said here about having a smaller audience has given you freedom in this season. Showing up before someone confirms to me it was worth it to show up has been the fuel that has sustained my business and I just love hearing how inspired you are to keep going to and showing up for your work. Cheering you on so much Emily!
May 1, 2023·edited May 1, 2023Liked by Jen Carrington, Sara Tasker - Me & Orla
a really good listen and affirms so much - it`s the keeping on going when no-one else is looking that is the real empowerment - having the confidence in our own product that eventually shines through to the the customer.. It can be so hard ( most of the time ) and I for one have never had huge followings mostly because I am inconsistent and find it hard to communicate.. or expose myself rather.. That authenticity I keep hearing from you Sara - I`m listening!! just taking a while to get there.. showing up and being vulnerable.. not easy but I can see the value in it.. Thanks to you both Jen and Sara!
So glad you enjoyed the episode Alexandra! Cheering you on so much in your journey and to have the confidence to keep shoping up at whatever pace feels right to you :)
Rooting for you Alexandra! It DOES take time so give yourself lots of love and grace for that. Most of us have spent a lifetime forging the armour that covers up our real, squishy selves. It takes time to peel it back off, piece by piece. Sending lots of love 💕
May 1, 2023Liked by Jen Carrington, Sara Tasker - Me & Orla
I had this episode in my ears as I walked up to the top of a tor with a beautiful view which is a great analogy for how I felt listening to this. I kept stopping to make notes and it made me realise how low my creative self esteem had fallen. The best is still to come - always guilty of looking back and this has blown it away and not just in a few inspiring broad brush sayings but digging deeper with reasoned argument and relatable examples.
Only one thing I must take issue with. As someone who has just turned 60 I don’t want to be thought of as a sage! Being called a girl still suits me and inside I still feel like one!
Why is it so hard for us all to believe ‘the best is still to come’? Half the time my brain struggles to even remember it is a possibility! I think I might need it tattooing on the inside of my eyelids or something.
And I hear you on ‘sage’ and apologise if we were clumsy in our language there. I always get a bit snarled up around these labels and any time I talk about ages and stages not least because none of the language does any of us justice (probably by design). Also, it’s so easy to look ahead and think “oh I’ll be wise and grounded in another 10 years” and then every time I get there I realise, nope, still feel about 23 in my head 😂
Absolutely! No offence taken with 'sage' - it's hard to navigate terms and in lots of ways 'sage should be positive. I just associate it with a wrinkled old woman who lives in a cottage or a guru that's cross legged and meditates. Another way that's been drip-fed to us over the I guess! All fired up though and setting up my Substack. I've got the same thrilled feeling I had in 2010 when I first set up my blog. My shoulders feel like they've released kilos of tension - a weight of expectation has been lifted. In fact that's my first article in my publication. Writing this here to keep me accountable so I don't get bogged down in having it 'perfect' (fonts, layout, images, bio etc) before I go live. Thanks as always Sara. I'm great at dishing out good, effective advice to my clients but absolutely rubbish at seeing things clearly or being brave enough to do things for myself. Appreciate you taking the time to reply. Take care
So honoured we got to join you on your walk today, Sally. I'm so sorry you've been navigating of slow creative self esteem and I really hope this has encouraged you to keep going and trusting that the best is yet to come! :)
Absolutely loved this conversation! So many nuggets of gold. You are both so generous in sharing your wisdom and experience. Will definitely be listening again and hitting pause for note taking to remind myself of all the sage advice you offered this letter writer. Love listening to you both and so grateful you are back! I always hoped you’d be back so never left my subscriptions! 🙏✨💞
Wow. There was so much that I took away from this episode, I'm definitely going to go back for a re-listen. But the thing I'm taking most away from it is that I feel my own self-belief bolstered by your response and empowered to find my own way back to the heart of my own work. I've been in my business for over a decade and while my passion for the subject is still there big time (helping people heal their relationship to body image and photos) but a combo of burnout and now being a parent has me feeling like I've lost momentum too. I'm noticing that I feel like I've been trying to create from the 'outside in' and all the things I feel like I 'should' do and in this moment after just finishing this episode I feel reminded to create and connect with my work and my audience from the inside out.
‘Should’ energy is such a warning sign, isn’t it? As soon as we’re doing things because we ‘should’ it’s hard to access any natural enthusiasm or passion. Sometimes it just takes a mindset shift, and remembering that we’re actually choosing this thing (my fave example is paying our taxes. We *could* choose not to, and go to prison, but we like being free so we choose to pay them 😆). But sometimes it’s a genuine disconnect and shows us we’re doing exactly what you say - creating from the outside in. I love that way of putting it ❤️
This podcast came at just the right time for me. As an illustrator, I've never quite been part of the "popular crowd" in my field. Despite my success, I've always felt a twinge of desire to be well-liked by everyone. Unfortunately, I've encountered peers who refuse to acknowledge me or who blatantly copy my work. Listening to this episode was a reminder to stick to my own path and focus on my small but devoted audience. I've been struggling with self-doubt lately, particularly due to slower sales in a tough economy. But the podcast's message has given me the courage to keep going and trust that my hard work will pay off in the end.
Love this episode. I would imagine that a lot of people find themselves in a similar position at the moment.
I’ve been through a similar thing recently in my own business of becoming totally burnt out and losing confidence. I’ve been building back up and learning to slow things down, release myself from expectations (a constant battle) and connect with my creativity again.
For me, a part time job has helped to release me from the financial pressure and I am coming round to seeing this as a massive privilege rather than as a sign of failure!
There was so much good advice in this episode, thank you 🖤
Just a brilliant episode. I'm definitely leaning into my "wise woman" era now having turned 50. I was never a cool girl (not even at the peak of my 80s teen self at a Stone Roses concert). But I feel more at ease being myself online now, than I have ever felt in the past
Yay, I am so happy that the dream team is back! I always looked forward to your podcast and gleaned so much helpful advice. It was a wonderful surprise when you popped back up in my feed. I could really emphasise with the letter writer and took to heart lots of your words of wisdom. Is there still time to send you a letter?
This was a good reminder for me this morning that my goal for this year was all about trying to go deeper with my community and not wider with my “following.” I’m not really sure how to go about that,
I am going to take your advice and commit to Substack for a long period of time - rather than giving up after my very first post didn’t really do anything! I’m not really sure how it fits into my business as such, in terms of what I sell currently, but I feel like I’ve got two seaparate communities on Instagram at the moment, one that buys tickets to my workshops or kits, and the other of fellow artists. I like the idea of giving that second audiences a space to thrive and I think following my curiosity on this one will pay off in the long run even if I don’t have a plan. There’s also probably way more crossover than I think between the two but I haven’t quite got over that mindblock yet!
Yaayyyy welcome to the Substack gang! I accept absolutely no liability for the many hours this site may start to steal from your day 🙈😂. Love that butterfly effect. It’s so true and it’s such an important value to our work that we can all so easily overlook 🦋
I've been looking forward to this first letter soooo much and got to listen while walking the dogs in the woods - an added bonus! I don't have a large audience and I was never one of the 'popular girls', but in terms of Substack, I think that's actually helped me. I've felt the freedom to write from my heart (corny but true) instead of writing only to promote my artwork and illustrations, or for SEO or selling. I thought my business was dead in the water a few months ago after a big commission fell through and I needed to take a day job to pay the bills, but now I feel like that gave me freedom to rethink what I really wanted and to write what I like.
I just loved so much of this, thank you Jen and Sara - here's my favourite snippet; 'We cannot say, "I'm only going to show up if, after I showed up, someone confirms to me that it was worth it for me to show up". We have to be our own confirmation'. I love this particularly because, after almost giving it all up, I decided instead to rebuilt my website and my Substack to be something that I love - and when I look at what I've created and read my content, I'm inspired to keep going even if no one sees or reads my work except for me.
I always love hearing how listeners make space for podcasts in their day - honoured to have joined you on your dog walk today! I love what you said here about having a smaller audience has given you freedom in this season. Showing up before someone confirms to me it was worth it to show up has been the fuel that has sustained my business and I just love hearing how inspired you are to keep going to and showing up for your work. Cheering you on so much Emily!
Thank you Jen 🥰
a really good listen and affirms so much - it`s the keeping on going when no-one else is looking that is the real empowerment - having the confidence in our own product that eventually shines through to the the customer.. It can be so hard ( most of the time ) and I for one have never had huge followings mostly because I am inconsistent and find it hard to communicate.. or expose myself rather.. That authenticity I keep hearing from you Sara - I`m listening!! just taking a while to get there.. showing up and being vulnerable.. not easy but I can see the value in it.. Thanks to you both Jen and Sara!
So glad you enjoyed the episode Alexandra! Cheering you on so much in your journey and to have the confidence to keep shoping up at whatever pace feels right to you :)
Rooting for you Alexandra! It DOES take time so give yourself lots of love and grace for that. Most of us have spent a lifetime forging the armour that covers up our real, squishy selves. It takes time to peel it back off, piece by piece. Sending lots of love 💕
I had this episode in my ears as I walked up to the top of a tor with a beautiful view which is a great analogy for how I felt listening to this. I kept stopping to make notes and it made me realise how low my creative self esteem had fallen. The best is still to come - always guilty of looking back and this has blown it away and not just in a few inspiring broad brush sayings but digging deeper with reasoned argument and relatable examples.
Only one thing I must take issue with. As someone who has just turned 60 I don’t want to be thought of as a sage! Being called a girl still suits me and inside I still feel like one!
Why is it so hard for us all to believe ‘the best is still to come’? Half the time my brain struggles to even remember it is a possibility! I think I might need it tattooing on the inside of my eyelids or something.
And I hear you on ‘sage’ and apologise if we were clumsy in our language there. I always get a bit snarled up around these labels and any time I talk about ages and stages not least because none of the language does any of us justice (probably by design). Also, it’s so easy to look ahead and think “oh I’ll be wise and grounded in another 10 years” and then every time I get there I realise, nope, still feel about 23 in my head 😂
Absolutely! No offence taken with 'sage' - it's hard to navigate terms and in lots of ways 'sage should be positive. I just associate it with a wrinkled old woman who lives in a cottage or a guru that's cross legged and meditates. Another way that's been drip-fed to us over the I guess! All fired up though and setting up my Substack. I've got the same thrilled feeling I had in 2010 when I first set up my blog. My shoulders feel like they've released kilos of tension - a weight of expectation has been lifted. In fact that's my first article in my publication. Writing this here to keep me accountable so I don't get bogged down in having it 'perfect' (fonts, layout, images, bio etc) before I go live. Thanks as always Sara. I'm great at dishing out good, effective advice to my clients but absolutely rubbish at seeing things clearly or being brave enough to do things for myself. Appreciate you taking the time to reply. Take care
So honoured we got to join you on your walk today, Sally. I'm so sorry you've been navigating of slow creative self esteem and I really hope this has encouraged you to keep going and trusting that the best is yet to come! :)
Thanks Jen 🙏🏻
Absolutely loved this conversation! So many nuggets of gold. You are both so generous in sharing your wisdom and experience. Will definitely be listening again and hitting pause for note taking to remind myself of all the sage advice you offered this letter writer. Love listening to you both and so grateful you are back! I always hoped you’d be back so never left my subscriptions! 🙏✨💞
Wow. There was so much that I took away from this episode, I'm definitely going to go back for a re-listen. But the thing I'm taking most away from it is that I feel my own self-belief bolstered by your response and empowered to find my own way back to the heart of my own work. I've been in my business for over a decade and while my passion for the subject is still there big time (helping people heal their relationship to body image and photos) but a combo of burnout and now being a parent has me feeling like I've lost momentum too. I'm noticing that I feel like I've been trying to create from the 'outside in' and all the things I feel like I 'should' do and in this moment after just finishing this episode I feel reminded to create and connect with my work and my audience from the inside out.
‘Should’ energy is such a warning sign, isn’t it? As soon as we’re doing things because we ‘should’ it’s hard to access any natural enthusiasm or passion. Sometimes it just takes a mindset shift, and remembering that we’re actually choosing this thing (my fave example is paying our taxes. We *could* choose not to, and go to prison, but we like being free so we choose to pay them 😆). But sometimes it’s a genuine disconnect and shows us we’re doing exactly what you say - creating from the outside in. I love that way of putting it ❤️
Can’t wait to dive in! Updates from you gals are my new fav notification. ♥️
I'm honoured, Millie! Really hope you enjoy the episode! :)
That’s exactly how I feel about comments like this! 😍
I loved this. Thanks ladies. This topic came at the perfect time. What a mindset shift you facilitated!!
So glad this episode came at the right time for you Solace 💛
Yay! So glad Solas. Thanks for being here with us both ❤️
This podcast came at just the right time for me. As an illustrator, I've never quite been part of the "popular crowd" in my field. Despite my success, I've always felt a twinge of desire to be well-liked by everyone. Unfortunately, I've encountered peers who refuse to acknowledge me or who blatantly copy my work. Listening to this episode was a reminder to stick to my own path and focus on my small but devoted audience. I've been struggling with self-doubt lately, particularly due to slower sales in a tough economy. But the podcast's message has given me the courage to keep going and trust that my hard work will pay off in the end.
Love this episode. I would imagine that a lot of people find themselves in a similar position at the moment.
I’ve been through a similar thing recently in my own business of becoming totally burnt out and losing confidence. I’ve been building back up and learning to slow things down, release myself from expectations (a constant battle) and connect with my creativity again.
For me, a part time job has helped to release me from the financial pressure and I am coming round to seeing this as a massive privilege rather than as a sign of failure!
There was so much good advice in this episode, thank you 🖤
Just a brilliant episode. I'm definitely leaning into my "wise woman" era now having turned 50. I was never a cool girl (not even at the peak of my 80s teen self at a Stone Roses concert). But I feel more at ease being myself online now, than I have ever felt in the past
Yay, I am so happy that the dream team is back! I always looked forward to your podcast and gleaned so much helpful advice. It was a wonderful surprise when you popped back up in my feed. I could really emphasise with the letter writer and took to heart lots of your words of wisdom. Is there still time to send you a letter?
This was a good reminder for me this morning that my goal for this year was all about trying to go deeper with my community and not wider with my “following.” I’m not really sure how to go about that,
I am going to take your advice and commit to Substack for a long period of time - rather than giving up after my very first post didn’t really do anything! I’m not really sure how it fits into my business as such, in terms of what I sell currently, but I feel like I’ve got two seaparate communities on Instagram at the moment, one that buys tickets to my workshops or kits, and the other of fellow artists. I like the idea of giving that second audiences a space to thrive and I think following my curiosity on this one will pay off in the long run even if I don’t have a plan. There’s also probably way more crossover than I think between the two but I haven’t quite got over that mindblock yet!
Yaayyyy welcome to the Substack gang! I accept absolutely no liability for the many hours this site may start to steal from your day 🙈😂. Love that butterfly effect. It’s so true and it’s such an important value to our work that we can all so easily overlook 🦋
That's amazing Stephanie - congrats on starting your new Substack! I'm really loving this space too!