My BIGGEST Mistake as a Newbie Entrepreneur & How YOU Can Avoid it
I had a lightbulb moment today. Ding! Or as Oprah would say, an "aha moment." Here's what I figured out: Even though my blog is my business, I have to live in order to write, to have something to say, to create content, to share something with readers & followers. Ding! Lightbulb moment. So stupid simple, right?
But first things first, if you're new around here, hello! My name is Carmen. I'm a lifestyle blogger, a blogging + social media coach, & an overall entrepreneur. For more juicy details, take a look at my About Me page!
I quit my corporate job in June 2017, so these past few weeks have been a whirlwind. In between video calls with coaching clients to strategizing content ideas for a new sponsored campaign, I'm hunched over my laptop all the time.
My lightbulb moment helped me realize that I need to live, experience, eat, read, breathe, meditate, in addition to that laptop life. I should take a walk outside to listen to the birds. I should go on a day trip to explore new-to-me places. I should take a day off to let my brain reboot. I should make time to grab an iced chai latte with a friend.
That's why I'm writing this. Not every moment is photo worthy. Not every food is Instagram-friendly. Not every outfit is glam af. Whether you're new around here or you've been reading for years, I want to let you in on those little things, those little details in life.
* Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.
Last Book I Read // Escape From Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur
This book is a thought-provoking read. I encourage you to read this if you're contemplating quitting your job to become an entrepreneur, working remotely, or work for yourself. The chapters contain excellent information & exercises to get you thinking strategically about your business moving forward.
Last Show I Watched // That '70 Show
Normally if Fred & I put on Friends or How I Met Your Mother as our background shows, but we decided to branch out & put something else on for those mindless dishwashing, folding clothes, whatever moments.
Last Thing I Did // 10 Minute Walk
I took a quickie break & did a 10-minute walk around the neighborhood to get blood pumping & brain juices flowing. It's helpful to get some vitamin D, run into a few people walking their cute puppies, & simply breathe in the fresh air.
Last Thing I Made // DIY Body Scrub
Hooray for do-it-yourself sugar body scrubs. Check out this easy recipe. I love customizing the scent by mixing & matching within my essential oil collection. This time I used cinnamon, nutmeg, & a little bit of lavender.
Have you ever been so busy making a living that you forgot to simply live? Are you a new reader? Longtime reader? I want to hear from you. Leave a comment! :]
* Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As always, all opinions are 100% mine aka Carmen's. Learn more about my disclosure. :]
It's hard not to let this blogging business consume you. Getting out and doing what you enjoy will definitely lead to some great posts.
ReplyDeleteI am learning to live as I forgot that I had a life
ReplyDeleteStaying in front of the computer all day steals your life somehow
N'Graffi Blog
I love this because it is so important! I want to try that body scrub!
ReplyDeleteBriana
https://beyoutifulbrunette.com/
I definitely agree with you on this!!! As an entrepreneur it's important to live a little. Get off our butts lol(talking about me) and get up and do something! Thanks for sharing your moments with us!
ReplyDeleteJasmine :)
colorubold.com
I've been reading your blog for a while and I always enjoy it! I love your pictures and how you write! I sometimes forget to live, especially with school work, 'cause I'm so busy!
ReplyDeleteI've been watching That 70s Show as well! Its so amazing, I literally can't stop laughing.
Love
Pili
To Read with Tea
You've really hit the nail on the head with this thought provoking post. Everyone is so busy trying to pack as much into the day as possible. It's more important than ever to find balance and take the time to relax, and enjoy all the things that life has to offer.
ReplyDeleteI usually remember to Live.... when I realize I have nothing to blog about.. when I sit down at my computer and realise each day has been the same as the last. Blogging can then be a motivation to get out and explore.
ReplyDeleteGreat reminder to get out and experience life and refresh ourselves. How else are we suppose to keep blogging.
ReplyDeleteThis hit me just by the title itself. I so agree on everything you said here and yes, everyone is busy but we often forget we need to 'breathe' sometimes. I've been working and working that sometimes, I don't even know what exactly am I doing with my life. It's sad but at least we realized it, one way or another. Thanks for sharing this post dear!
ReplyDeletexo Tina
IG: @tinasweetheart
www.tinasweetheart.com
I have been so busy lately that I haven't stopped to smell the roses. I guess I needed to read this post so that I remember to take time for myself!
ReplyDeleteThis is great advice and so needed...I made up my mind I am putting down all social media and blog next week..I am on major burn out..so have to take a break..thanks for the reminder...great post!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I need a reminder with this and I'm not even an entrepreneur (yet)! I'm just so focused on career growth and work that I sometimes feel like I need to slow down and focus on my personal growth and health as well.
ReplyDeleteWow, this was such a good post! It's important to take a step back and breathe a little! Love how you've formulated it!
ReplyDeleteHave an awesome day!
xx Kris
https://dreamingofpink.wordpress.com
It is soooo hard to remember to take time for yourself, especially when you are going on all cylinders all the time, a feeling I know all too well!
ReplyDeleteI think that is a trap a lot of online biz owners find themselves in. But that is amazing you quit your day job recently. I always try to have a least one night that is unplugged from the laptop
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great reminder! There are definitely times when I get so tied up in work that I forget to just live and enjoy life.
ReplyDeleteYaaas, girl! It's so easy to get caught up in the "hustle" and work from the time you wake up to the time you go to bed, but that's not healthy at all. Great reminder to take time to live in the midst of working.
ReplyDeleteI loved this post! It's so important as a blogger to remember that not every moment, every food, etc, like you said, is "instagram" worthy or NEEDS to be posted! We have to take a break and indeed have these moments "Worth" blogging about. Great points from a clearly successful blogger! *thegoodthingscomin.wordpress.com
ReplyDeleteIt's so true! And sometimes, it's best to remind ourselves that not EVERY moment needs to be shared, even if it IS insta worthy. On our last night in Italy, we watched the Manarola sunset and promised we'd take NO pictures. Nobody will ever know how incredible that sunset was except us, and that's why it's one of my favorite memories from the trip!
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely! A breath of fresh air that I needed today as I sit here, hunched over my laptop, with writers block <3
ReplyDeleteYou make such a good point! I've gotten caught up in research, editing, learning and working to where an entire Saturday has passed me by and I haven't seen friends in a week! Thanks for posting!
ReplyDelete-Kristina
www.livingwonderfilled.com
Exactly. Life goes on whether we pay attention or not. We have to make time for those moments or they'll just pass. :]
ReplyDeleteThank you, Candice. Your kind words made me smile! :]
ReplyDeleteThat's beautiful, Susan! Life goes on whether we pay attention or not, whether we get the pretty photo or not. We have to make time for those moments or they'll just pass. Have a beautiful day! :]
ReplyDeleteYesss, spot on! :]
ReplyDeleteYes! it's so easy to get caught up. Happens to me alllll the time. :]
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! Time passes by whether we pay attention or not. We have to make time for those moments or they'll vanish. :]
ReplyDeleteThat's a great rule to have. :]
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, it's all about finding those little moments. :]
ReplyDeleteYes! Thanks for stopping by, Kris. :]
ReplyDeleteLove it! Take some time for personal growth & health. So important. :]
ReplyDelete:]
ReplyDeleteExactly! Smell a rose, look at the sky, read a book, just enjoy the little things. :]
ReplyDeleteHi Tina! I hope you had some time to breathe. Life & work & everything can feel so overwhelming. What I came to realize is that time goes by whether I'm enjoying those little things or not. I'm making it a habit to enjoy (& pay attention to) them again. :]
ReplyDeleteYou said it exactly right, Candy! :]
ReplyDeleteI relate to that, Kathleen! Hopefully you've had some time for exploration. :]
ReplyDeleteExactly Cait. Sometimes it's just those tiny moments that matter - laughing at a random joke with friends, hearing the birds singing, the brisk autumn evening air. :]
ReplyDeleteHi Pili! Thanks for your sweet comment. I love it. I hope you've been well & had some time to enjoy the little things. :]
ReplyDeleteGot to get that step count up, right? I do, at least!! :]
ReplyDeleteI hope you do. It's super easy to make! :]
ReplyDeleteIt really does. Don't let it pass you by. :]
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. Thanks for reading Allison. Life goes on whether we pay attention or not. We have to make time for those moments or they'll just pass. :]
ReplyDelete