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You Should Probably Get a Hobby

You Should Probably Get a Hobby

I’m delighted to say I joined a plant society and I’m working on designing my garden now. It is December so it will be a while still before I can get out there and actually garden. So my hobby right now is planning, designing, and dreaming about my spring garden. For someone like me who is self-employed and sits in front of screens all day for my work, it feels really good to plan hobbies and activities that are outdoors and also offline.

*I sometimes link to books, tools, and other things that I adore and may receive a small commission for it. Read my full disclosure here.

Owning Our Ambition

Owning Our Ambition

Many of us are afraid to admit what we want and afraid of losing what we already have. This week is all about clearing fears so we can start owning our ambition – or admitting what we really want.

*I sometimes link to books, tools, and other things that I adore and may receive a small commission for it. Read my full disclosure here.

How to Use The Power Dance + Releasing Resentment

How to Use The Power Dance + Releasing Resentment

If you’re feeling blocked from sharing freely or having trouble sharing and teaching at all, it is impossible to really do your creative work. So, this week’s theme was all about exploring the impediments to exchanging ideas and information as well as removing them.

*I sometimes link to books, tools, and other things that I adore and may receive a small commission for it. Read my full disclosure here.

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LONG BEFORE I WAS A VA, I WAS AN ESTHETICIAN. And LONG BEFORE I WAS A VA, I WAS AN ESTHETICIAN. And I thought it would be my "forever" career. Except for one tragic flaw. I could not do a Brazilian wax to save my life.😱 

This was 2005/2006 so that was a big deal.

If I could go back to that time, I’d have a few things to tell my young self that are probably important for any service provider. Things that might have helped prevent me from burning out, getting frustrated (and honestly scared I might get sued), and ultimately giving up completely. 

GO INTO BUSINESS FOR YOURSELF NOW
As an esthetician, I’d planned to start my own business all along. But I told myself I needed to work in a spa or salon first, observe, and then I could do my own thing in, like, 5 years.

That was just not true.

Other estheticians skipped the traditional spa and salon jobs and went directly into working for themselves, renting out cute rooms in local buildings or even setting up mobile practices. They were able to offer exactly what they wanted to offer and decide on their own pricing.

** I am NOT saying “jump and the net will appear/quit your dayjob now without a plan” because I think that is terrible advice. I’m saying if you know, like I did, that you want to work for yourself eventually, you have what you need to get started and you don’t need to “learn the ropes” for years on end.**

DO THINGS YOU SUCK AT – BUT ONLY UP TO A POINT
Since I did not enjoy providing Brazilians, I sucked at them, and since I sucked at them, I did not enjoy providing them. I had no business providing such a personal service that I sucked at. Leave it for the estheticians who are great at them!

It is important to let yourself be bad at things and be a beginner, but at a certain point, if you're not into what you're trying to get good at anyway, I don't think it is going to work. 

DON’T DO THINGS YOU HATE
Even if that service is in high demand. This might seem like a “no duh” to you, but it really wasn’t to me in the beginning. 

Trends come and go but if you’re seeking ways to be of service in ways that feel good to you, you’ll find your people.

Those 3 lessons I think made me a better #virtualassistant.
Last week I made myself a big batch of very beige Last week I made myself a big batch of very beige soup. It tasted okay but made me sad to look at! It got me thinking again about this #joyfulbook by @aestheticsofjoy I read a couple of years ago... Vibrancy is a nutrient!

PS I should give Alex his props because he always plates our meals beautifully. I just want to step it up when I prep my own meals. 💗
Toasting to the new year! Hope you are staying saf Toasting to the new year! Hope you are staying safe and cozy. We made it to the end of this crazy year!
Happy Monday and Election week! Been waiting 4 yea Happy Monday and Election week! Been waiting 4 years for this one.

I picked up this beautiful and well-organized #VisionaryJournal planner created by @starchasersonly a while back... but I just haven't been able to plan. But I don't know... I'm feeling optimistic? I may be ready to make some plans again. 

Also, I hope you all voted already or are going to tomorrow! I voted early on the first day I could.
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