HNY! I’m so excited to see your process of starting a business while staying conscious of old patterns of work-is-my-value. I’ve only just come out of that for the first time myself and finding others who are developing a new relationship with work (especially creative work) is so encouraging 🫶
Ahh that's so cool you're on a similar journey! So far I'm feeling quite disheartened because I didn't realise how deep the conditioning is, but I have hope! And I totally agree, when I find others who are sharing their experiences it is so encouraging to know that (i) it's a common challenge and (ii) it is possible to change ones relationship to work! ❤️
I’m also working through the process of changing my relationship to work, esp as a determinant of my value, while opening up to new possibilities for my life and creative pursuits. Thank you both for sharing. It’s heartening to not be alone along this path. Wishing you all the best!
I remember you saying or writing once that you didn't want to work with brands or offer sponsored content, so this change is an interesting one...
Obviously you have to do what works for you, and I am in the same boat as you as someone who is late-diagnosed and recovering from burnout, but I do often wonder if it's people like us that consumerism and marketing prey on. (Maybe that's too strong a way of putting it? 🤔) But as the saying goes, "beggars can't be choosers." I totally understand why this latest shift appeals to you because I have considered it myself, knowing that it would be a great way to make money online promoting things I already do or products I already use etc.
I just hope you also continue to provide us with the same content we signed up for 😊 that is more valuable to me and probably to some others than discount codes etc.
There's lots of points in your comment! Let me see if I can take them one by one:
(1) Yes you're right, at one point in my journey I felt I didn't want to work with brands. Right now, I don't know where I stand - I'm figuring it out. I've been offered lots of brand deals over the last year and haven't taken any of them because they haven't been products I use and genuinely feel I can say 'yep this has truly really helped me on my recovery journey'. But Oodie came along and I felt differently (I've not yet made a cent and honestly don't know if I will so it's tbc if I continue to work with them) but the bottom line unfortunately is I need to make money otherwise I won't be able to continue sharing the content online that I do for free - which I know helps people. I don't yet know if working with brands is a great way to make money online, like you say, because I haven't tried it yet - I see others doing brand deals successfully, but know a lot of creators who struggle to monetise. I am at a point financially where I have to consider it as an option across my platforms, but I totally hear you about how nice it would be to keep this newsletter space ad-free and that's definitely something I'm keeping in mind so thanks for sharing your preference.
(2) Consumerism and marketing affect everyone, neurodivergent or not - but yes I imagine neurodivergent folk might be more susceptible to influence than others (and clearly we have lots of 'problems' that marketers can 'solve'!). This is why I'm cognisant of what products I endorse, because I do feel responsible given I have a vulnerable audience. It's also the main reason why I wasn't pro working with brands in the first place.
(3) My content isn't just going to become ads, so yes I will still be sharing my 'usual' content - although at the end of the day I will create the content that feels authentically me and if that changes so much that people who follow me don't enjoy it any more they are more than welcome to unsubscribe. I'd rather that than feel like I can't openly share my journey and the struggles I'm going through because I feel I have to guess what people signed up to see. That's recipe for a mental health crisis as a creator!
At the end of the day, it's very complicated - my aim is to make things and sell them in my own shop, not be an influencer... but right now I am unfortunately in the 'beggars can't be choosers' camp and don't have the luxury of not testing out working with brands whilst I try to build my own sustainable business.
Its certainly a nuanced issue. I think it was actually on the REWILD about page that you had written about it being an ad-free space - I must have seen it there. But I agree that we have to make money somehow, and surely far better to do it in ways that don't burn us out…
Thank you for taking the time to address my points and I hope it all works out for you! Can't wait to see what transpires.
I popped into your page the other day and saw the new header and logo. I think they are wonderful! I am happy to hear that you have had some breakthroughs in your therapy journey. May 2025 be a gentle year for you. <3
Thank you Angela, I'm happy you like them! Made me smile to know you popped in out of the blue :) Appreciate your support, and likewise I truly hope 2025 is gentle on us all :) ❤️
Oh my gosh I share so many of these same thoughts…I too have been working through therapy after burnout as a late diagnosed neurodivergent. It’s so much work. I would love to sell my creations as well, I wish you the best in your new endeavor!
Oh gosh I know the feeling!! Love all of those things, but wood carving really takes me back to my love of design and technology in school - something about working with wood that is so grounding?!
I've missed you too Jodie! Although I've been enjoying your Instagram content whilst I've been away from reading long form content - you've got such an exciting 2025 ahead meeting your little one :) ❤️
HNY! I’m so excited to see your process of starting a business while staying conscious of old patterns of work-is-my-value. I’ve only just come out of that for the first time myself and finding others who are developing a new relationship with work (especially creative work) is so encouraging 🫶
Ahh that's so cool you're on a similar journey! So far I'm feeling quite disheartened because I didn't realise how deep the conditioning is, but I have hope! And I totally agree, when I find others who are sharing their experiences it is so encouraging to know that (i) it's a common challenge and (ii) it is possible to change ones relationship to work! ❤️
I’m also working through the process of changing my relationship to work, esp as a determinant of my value, while opening up to new possibilities for my life and creative pursuits. Thank you both for sharing. It’s heartening to not be alone along this path. Wishing you all the best!
I agree, it's so inspiring to hear others are working on the same things - good luck Tim!!
Hello Charlie - Happy New Year and I'm so glad you're okay. Thanks so much for sharing this - I can definitely idenitify with your ups and downs. 🥰🥰🥰
Happy new year Natasha :) ❤️
Wishing you all the best in 2025 Charlie as you explore these new ventures <3
Thank you as ever Sylvia, and I'm rooting for you too ❤️
I remember you saying or writing once that you didn't want to work with brands or offer sponsored content, so this change is an interesting one...
Obviously you have to do what works for you, and I am in the same boat as you as someone who is late-diagnosed and recovering from burnout, but I do often wonder if it's people like us that consumerism and marketing prey on. (Maybe that's too strong a way of putting it? 🤔) But as the saying goes, "beggars can't be choosers." I totally understand why this latest shift appeals to you because I have considered it myself, knowing that it would be a great way to make money online promoting things I already do or products I already use etc.
I just hope you also continue to provide us with the same content we signed up for 😊 that is more valuable to me and probably to some others than discount codes etc.
Cheering you on as always! 🥳
There's lots of points in your comment! Let me see if I can take them one by one:
(1) Yes you're right, at one point in my journey I felt I didn't want to work with brands. Right now, I don't know where I stand - I'm figuring it out. I've been offered lots of brand deals over the last year and haven't taken any of them because they haven't been products I use and genuinely feel I can say 'yep this has truly really helped me on my recovery journey'. But Oodie came along and I felt differently (I've not yet made a cent and honestly don't know if I will so it's tbc if I continue to work with them) but the bottom line unfortunately is I need to make money otherwise I won't be able to continue sharing the content online that I do for free - which I know helps people. I don't yet know if working with brands is a great way to make money online, like you say, because I haven't tried it yet - I see others doing brand deals successfully, but know a lot of creators who struggle to monetise. I am at a point financially where I have to consider it as an option across my platforms, but I totally hear you about how nice it would be to keep this newsletter space ad-free and that's definitely something I'm keeping in mind so thanks for sharing your preference.
(2) Consumerism and marketing affect everyone, neurodivergent or not - but yes I imagine neurodivergent folk might be more susceptible to influence than others (and clearly we have lots of 'problems' that marketers can 'solve'!). This is why I'm cognisant of what products I endorse, because I do feel responsible given I have a vulnerable audience. It's also the main reason why I wasn't pro working with brands in the first place.
(3) My content isn't just going to become ads, so yes I will still be sharing my 'usual' content - although at the end of the day I will create the content that feels authentically me and if that changes so much that people who follow me don't enjoy it any more they are more than welcome to unsubscribe. I'd rather that than feel like I can't openly share my journey and the struggles I'm going through because I feel I have to guess what people signed up to see. That's recipe for a mental health crisis as a creator!
At the end of the day, it's very complicated - my aim is to make things and sell them in my own shop, not be an influencer... but right now I am unfortunately in the 'beggars can't be choosers' camp and don't have the luxury of not testing out working with brands whilst I try to build my own sustainable business.
Its certainly a nuanced issue. I think it was actually on the REWILD about page that you had written about it being an ad-free space - I must have seen it there. But I agree that we have to make money somehow, and surely far better to do it in ways that don't burn us out…
Thank you for taking the time to address my points and I hope it all works out for you! Can't wait to see what transpires.
I popped into your page the other day and saw the new header and logo. I think they are wonderful! I am happy to hear that you have had some breakthroughs in your therapy journey. May 2025 be a gentle year for you. <3
Thank you Angela, I'm happy you like them! Made me smile to know you popped in out of the blue :) Appreciate your support, and likewise I truly hope 2025 is gentle on us all :) ❤️
Oh my gosh I share so many of these same thoughts…I too have been working through therapy after burnout as a late diagnosed neurodivergent. It’s so much work. I would love to sell my creations as well, I wish you the best in your new endeavor!
Thank you Anna, and for sharing where you're at! What do you enjoy creating/making?
Oh a little bit of everything lol — wood carving, fiber arts, drawing, painting…I wish I could stick with just one!
Oh gosh I know the feeling!! Love all of those things, but wood carving really takes me back to my love of design and technology in school - something about working with wood that is so grounding?!
Yes!! I don’t think I’ve been able to articulate that before…it really is. It feels quite lovely
🥰
Lovely to see you back sharing again Charlie - I've missed you! Excited to see what 2025 brings for you x
I've missed you too Jodie! Although I've been enjoying your Instagram content whilst I've been away from reading long form content - you've got such an exciting 2025 ahead meeting your little one :) ❤️
This found me at the perfect moment. Thank you for sharing and writing these soothing words. And yay for your biz plans ✨
Always a pleasure to share with you Silvia 🥰
Congrats on starting this new season and good luck with your new endeavors. I'm sure you'll create beautiful art❤️