{Personal Image}
You know those days when you just want to throw your hands up in the air and give up?
I’m having one of those days.
My husband and I were supposed to go on vacation this week, but an awful tragedy occurred that has kept us in town. Vacations can be rescheduled and when you’re needed, you’re needed. Then, I woke up on Monday and I couldn’t stand up straight and was in excruciating pain. I did something terrible to my back, so I’m taking medications that are making me kinda loopy and extremely nauseous. Then, I had a customer interaction that left me speechless and in tears {and not in a good way}. I’m feeling heartbroken.
I put my heart and soul into my business, but sometimes it just isn’t enough.
I know that I’m supposed to pretend that everything is fine and that I don’t have any problems. I know that I’m supposed to act as if my business is so amazing that I never have problems, because customers don’t want to hear about the problems.
But, today I can’t pretend.
I can’t come up with something brilliant to post.
Instead of trying to force something that just isn’t in my heart, I’m going to spend the rest of the day getting back in touch with my creative spirit. I’m going to read, draw, paint, and spend time with friends and family.
But, don’t worry. I’ll be back on Monday–hopefully refreshed and ready to keep going.
Awww. So sorry you feel that way, April. I feel your pain (not the back pain, but the other). What you do for us is so special and you are so special and some people are just not open to receiving something so grand. I only had one session with you, but it changed a lot about me and the way I run my business. You picked me up and set me back down on the right path and going in the right direction. You share so much and you CARE so much and that’s what makes you different from the others. You weren’t about overselling me on multiple sessions, you wanted to help me in the arenas that you were best at and for that I am ever so grateful.
I hope your body and your soul heal quickly!
Love,
Michelle xoxo
Thank you so much Michelle! You were a pleasure to work with and I really appreciate your support 🙂
So sorry April. Sounds like you’ve had a rough stretch – I’m realizing that sometimes it’s ok to admit that things aren’t totally fine and take a few days off to regroup. Hope you come back Monday feeling re-energized and ready to start taking more names.
Thanks Katrina 🙂
I’m so sorry to read that! In your videos, your posts and your Twitter intervention, you are always so nice and kind, i can’t believe someone made you cry!
I hope you’ll get some rest and feel better later!
Thanks for the support Marie!
Aw, April, so sorry you’ve had such a crap week. We all have them, and it will all turn out alright. I know you already know that.
I don’t know what the customer thing was – but trust me when I say that you can’t take it personally. That person is probably having an issue with something else that they are taking out on you. Just drop it and recenter yourself.
You are a rock star, so you’re going to be just fine.
I’m definitely trying to drop it and recenter. For some reason, the one negative thing always seems to stick out even when there are hundreds of positive things. Thanks for the support.
april, i knew this was a hard week for you and I am so sorry about that and to hear these other things as well! You are such a wonderful inspiration to us and you should not feel guilty at all for taking some time to just chill and do what you need to do for your friends and family and yourself. Also, you arent supposed to pretend anything! This is your space and I know I personally do not mind the venting (geez, im guilty of doing a bit of it myself lol) hey whatever lets not feel bad about the things that make us human, right?!
I think what amanda said is so true- you are a rockstar and so you are going to be fine. Plus we will all still be here when you are ready to rock it again!
<3
hoping for the best and grateful for all you do,
danielle
Thanks Danielle! Your support means a lot to me.
It is the fact that you are real that explains why we are here. I am not interested in pretend–I am too old and do that with my toddlers.
You and I seem to come from similar professional backgrounds and you have to know that when people are mean it is more a reflection of them than you. You lift us up; and it is okay for cheerleaders to. go. take. a. break.
Like Danielle said, we will be here.
Thanks Erika! I’m trying to remember that.
I hope everything gets better after some well-needed rest and family time 🙂 I think it’s good for you to show the ups and downs. Often, we get jaded thinking successful people never have problems…and in turn that gives us the feeling that when we hit bumps on the road, that it’s not normal or we are not successful enough! No one wants to be a downer, but there’s something to be said about being authentic…
We definitely all have ups and downs. Thanks for the support.
oh! and may i suggest some lady gaga power anthems?
Great suggestion!
April, I just wanted to let you know I absolutely love your blog, and not to worry. It’s been one of those weeks for everyone it seems, myself included.
Thanks Monique! I hope next week turns out better for ya 🙂
I’m sure you are feeling loads better now, with all the kind thoughts and words of your friends! Even if I don’t know you personally, you have changed my life (and others) and that’s what you need to focus on when those negative feelings start to creep in. Have a great weekend!
It helps more than you could know Lisa! Thanks for the support.
I love that you are honest bc I personally like to know that you are human & have off days just like everyone else. I think its difficult sometimes to remember that successful awesome people such as yourself are “normal” too. I’m sorry that you have had a rough week but I love how you’re choosing to deal with it in such positive ways. Sending good thoughts & cheer your way!
Thank you so much Danielle! Your thoughtful comment definitely helped to cheer me up 🙂
Hi April, I’m a pretty new reader to your blog but I know you aren’t a happy robot, I know you are human. I think it’s great to share some of the downs as well as the ups with your customers, it’s brave and refreshing. I hope that a little creative time helps. I know when I have these kind of days and/or weeks, when I take the time and let myself recharge a little it makes a world of difference.
No happy robot here…creative time definitely helps me get refocused.
Hi April,
I have been following your blog for a few months now, and have learned a lot from your posts and videos. Today’s post is no exception. In fact, it has brought some insight in regards to how a person can utilize their blog to show themselves and their lives openly and freely to their readers.
As an aspiring blogger, it has been a challenge for me to publish my first post. I have always kept private journals and my writing tends to be therapeutic and deeply personal; because of this, I have struggled with bridging the gap between writing for my eyes only and writing for the public sphere while keeping my voice honest and true to how I really think and speak.
Thank you for writing this entry, as it has given me inspiration to take a step further with my writing and to fearlessly create my first blog post.
That is a really bright spot in this mess to know that it has inspired you to take some courageous steps in putting yourself out there by blogging!
so sorry to hear you’re having a rough day. hope it all gets better. take care!
Thanks for your support Sarah!
*sigh* we all have those days, so you have my sympathy.
So, to lighten the load, let me tell you I picked up Switch- How to Change When Change is Hard at your recommendation. It was great. Now that I have returned it to the library I am going to have to buy a copy.
Thank you.
Yay KJ! It’s such a great book. I’m so glad that you enjoyed it.
I hope that your day of creating helped to mend your spirit.
Thanks Bonnie! Creating usually helps.
Oh, no! I hope taking a break helped. Good for you, for not pretending to your readers that everything is great all the time. I recently had a two-week stretch like you describe…disaster after disaster…and it is emotionally and physically exhausting. No one should feel like they have to continue with business as usual during times like that.
Thanks Stacy. When it rains, it pours, right?
I’m truly sorry for all that you are going through right now. At my old job people used to make me cry all the time. Okay. Not all of the time. But people can be pretty nasty sometimes, and it’s probably just like what was said before — they’re having an issue of some sort and taking it out on you. Not fair. That’s for sure. But part of what we humans do sometimes.
I just discovered your blog through Etsy and I’m really enjoying what I’ve had a chance to see so far, even the rant. As others have said — it’s more important to be yourself than to always put on a brave front.
I wish you much joy and peace of mind to come very soon. In fact, I hope something really great happens today to help balance out all of the bad stuff.
Thanks Lesa! Your kind words have definitely put a smile on my face 🙂
So sorry April! I for one am glad that you decided to vent a bit & stray from your usual. I think that’s an important part of running a “personal” business that’s real. It’s helps us to all see that you have crappy days too…days that steal your motivation & make you want to take a break. It makes you & your business more relate-able. So thanks again…so many of us can sympathize.
Tomorrow is a new day!
Enjoy your well-deserved vacation with your man when the time comes!
Thanks Meagan. I appreciate it 🙂
Feel better hun! Its been that kind of week. I just know next week will be better. (hugs)
Hi April.
I am so sorry you were having such a bad day. I’ve been there. Keep your chin up!
xoxo
Jenn
Hi April,
Thank you so much for posting this. I want my blog to be very personal and some times you can’t hide that you aren’t having a good day. If your customers and readers feel a connection to you they will understand when you’re having a bad day and will still stand by you when you’re back on your feet.
I hope you are feeling much better.
Blissfully,
Crystal
Thank you for sharing this! It’s nice to read about REAL people instead of imagining someone is made of plastic and has no problems.
Cheers for honesty!
~KD
Hi April,
I know I’m a bit late in posting, but just wanted to send you hugs and good thoughts and I hope this new week turned everything around. I appreciate what you do and I really hope you’re feeling better!
=)
–Rose
It is tough, and I understand completely when someone just cuts you down… client, friend, family… it happens and it hurts. But you have such a wonderful perspective on things and sometimes posting HONESTLY and not hiding behind a fake smile is even more touching and humanizing.
Keep up the good work, you offer wonderful suggestions and tips, so I for one, will be back.
Thank you so much for being honest April. I had a tragedy myself a two months ago which left me completely paralysed and unable to take part in the world the way I love to. I broke up with my fiancé, moved house and started a new day job and have begun facing a different life.
As a consequence, I completely abandoned my (wedding) business and am only now feeling strong enough to start going back and looking at all your posts that I’ve missed. This was the first one I read and I so admire your ability to say something, especially because it was the plain old truth.
Sometimes days are hard and you really don’t have anything to contribute but I am finding that that’s where the biggest opportunities lay.
Thank you for being my baby step back into the business world.
Warmest regards,
Sarah
Oh my gosh! It sounds like you’ve been through the ringer…I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been having a really hard time.
I’m so glad that I can be your baby step back into the business world 🙂