Michelle, I'm sitting here a long way away (in France) trying to find words to explain how deeply this video affected me. I had been avoiding it because I've been feeling inadequate to progress with my project but bolstered myself this evening to look for encouragement and I found it in buckets! When you said "we're all in this together" and how you want to help, my tough solo woman defense barrier crumbled and I cried for the first time in I don't know how long. I do hope you read this to know how much I appreciate your channel and the time you take to do your videos. I'm a keen hiker and another blessing from this video was seeing your wonderful local outdoors. Thanks again 🙏
Valerie, I am sending you the biggest virtual hug!! Your comment got me a little emotional too! 🥺 Thank you so much for being here. This is why I am pushing myself to make these videos because I really want to show women they can do anything they want and find joy in life. Is it funny that I hesitated the show the nature walk part because I thought people would be too bothered by it and just want to get to the message. I am learning to trust my gut over my head these days because that is where our wisdom really lies. I’m here for you! Love from Canada 🇨🇦❤️
I can so relate to this! I thought it was my ADHD But I think it’s also that there are so many different things to try and I like a lot of them. I go back and forth from using my cricut machine then hand stamping jewelry to metal smithing. I like all of it! I always felt like my office jobs were soul sucking. It felt like prison!! 😆 It’s nice to know there are others out there like me. 😊
Oh, my goodness, I can sooooo relate to feeling bad about trying something new, getting bored of it, and immediately going headfirst into the next thing (after just having purchased too many supplies for the previous thing, lol). And the cycle continued... I just love creating, period!! Grateful to have found you in the world and to be part of your tribe! 💖💖💖 (And jealous that you're clothed in a way that indicates you don't have horrendous heat like we do right now.) 😂😂😂
So glad you are here too! ❤️ It was nice and cool in the woods but I definitely took my sweater off when I came out into the sun right after. It was a very warm day for sure! 😎
Michelle, say it loud as this is spot on for so many people. I’m 68, entrepreneur all of my life and through that was able to explore my single life, marry, raise our children and now enjoy the freedom of grandchildren and more life. The few jobs I’ve had working for others were through contracts. That made it possible to have control of our time. Yes I’ve basically called myself and husband retired at 50 years, as that was the last contract to be finished. Since then we have done our lives as we see fit. Exploring more interests with our undivided attention while encouraging each other. Of course we end up selling most or giving away. Living in joy & creating while getting a monetary gain is self rewarding. Our union is something we don’t take for granted, others are not as fortunate. The organic tribe you are building is a blessing for everyone. Cheers to all
yes! I am 42 kiddo is 18 I want to make money doing my own thing. I have been "trying" I know I hold myself back. I feel like I have to do it all. I try this and that make this make that. I love creating and making everything! Everything you are saying I resonate with :) I know I have some talents. I see other creatives making money. I think social media is great but also not lol. I am encouraged by everyone I follow. I think there is so much out there that I get overwhelmed. Its hard to just pic one thing and go for it. It is scary to go for it because I am a single mom and I just get scared of all of the above. But I am also really scared of being stuck where I am. I need to read the comments because I know this is my tribe too :) Thanks for sharing
I feel you! It is so hard not to get overwhelmed with all of the information and social media. Just start trying things that seem interesting and doable for your skills/lifestyle and see how you feel. The important thing is just to,start. 😊 And yes, the worse thing you can do is nothing and be in the same place you are one year from now. 😩 You can do it! ❤️
I definitely resemble the getting sucked into a million different things. Sometimes it distracts from what I "should" be doing, but I love the excited feeling of getting into something new that interests me and the process of learning everything about it. I'm a painter but I can also crochet, make jewelry, sculpt, weave, etc. And all of it makes me a better creative in all aspects of life and contributes to my work as a painter. Best wishes on your journey!
Thank you Michelle. I'm in a mid-life career crises. Have worked in a field for 30 years and feel it does not fulfill my creative spul. I'm also struggling with my family, expecting me to work in a traditional job. Ive always been in survival and struggle mode when it comes to earning miney. I guess I'm struggling with a lack of belief that s creative career is possible. Going from an emplyee mindset to doing something for myself so your videos are inspirational for me and I'm sure everyone who finds this chanbel. Thank your and bless you 🙏 ❤️
I can really relate to the feelings of putting yourself out there in videos. I'm just about to start doing this as well, not so much for my art but for my life coaching business, and I am definitely procrastinating lol.
Thanks so much Michelle! So much of what you said resonated with me. After 15 years as an art teacher in public education, I decided to take a break and pursue some other creative adventures. I appreciate you and the content you are sharing! Great way to start the day.
This advice truly resonates with me! I'm about to begin my creative adventure and it's been scary as I'm taking a leap of faith. Thank you so much, Michelle, for sharing your experiences, giving us words of wisdom and motivation, and taking us on a soothing nature walk with you! I'm so glad I found your video! 🥰💕
I am so like that too...try a bunch of different things and then need to move on. I tried to settle on one medium with art but felt so constrained and got easily distracted by the new shiny object/art supply...lol. I realized a while back that this is totally ok and it is just who I am. Some day I may find my thing, but I truly think my thing is doing all kinds of things!
I might be wrong, but personally feel like I’m in a time of my life where I’m looking at myself and I no longer recognise the person I see. Might be age, might be hormones, might be all the changes that come in mid life, but I have a deep feeling of needing some kind of reinvention, and to be ok with a new perspective or direction. Maybe a lot of us here are feeling something similar. I feel sometimes like I am clinging onto a past version of myself, and to stay stuck in that position is painful in a way. Good luck to everyone here going through reinvention!
I'm watching you early Monday morning and you're the perfect motivation and inspiration I need right now. Thank you! I've been practicing filming myself and getting comfortable with it. I'm almost ready to jump in and get my channel up and running. It's exciting and a little scary 😂 ok maybe a lot scary
Great video ❤ I've been learning and trying many different creative and e-commerce things for years now,and I still go through blah patches. In fact I'm going through one right now. It's all a long game IMHO and the road can be quite lonely. People in real life don't really understand what it's like and aren't that supportive. Finding a tribe and some super fans isn't easy esp without a budget, all DIY. ~ Nan
Hi Michelle! I absolutely needed this today. It was wonderful for you to take us on your walk before the chat! I also live in an area that is similar, but not as beautiful as yours :-) lots of trees and pathways that I should explore more often.… I related to every single point you made, and if I were to respond to all of them, this comment would be pages long lol in the six months of therapy that I’ve had, I got more out of this video. I truly believe the community/tribe that we belong to is Ki in keeping us on track and motivated to pursue our dreams. I am new to Contant creating, and I’ve yet to upload my first video (working out some technical difficulties that are probably elementary to you and other Contant creators!), But eventually, I know I will figure it out like a learning curve is just really tough for me… I have to use a lot of adaptive technology to my phone and navigating websites is really difficult, I am legally blind, and my adaptive tech leaves something to be desired. Lol. I think at this stage in a woman’s life, society makes us feel as if it is the end, but as you so eloquently put, it is actually the beginning. There is another part of us that is blossoming, as another part is dying, and nurturing it is imperative. Thank you so much for putting yourself out there. It is extremely valuable to a lot of us going through similar part of life. ❤️❤️🙏💛🕊️
Thank you so much for all your kind words! ❤️ I feel so blessed that what I have to say is helpful to anyone. I want all of us to succeed and live a joyful life! I am sending you much love and positive vibes as you work on your content creation! You will get there in time. Cheering you on! ❤️😊
Loved the video, what intrigued me was the word you put on the screen. I would love for you to share human design, did you read a book about it, and how does it affect your art.
Thank you! I love human design, it’s so fascinating! I learned about it from RU-vid videos, podcasts, and books. Whatever I could find once I heard about it. I guess it does influence my art in the way that I allow myself to experiment with whatever interests me and know that it’s ok to not have to pick just one type of art or style. I can just do what is fun in the moment. I can definitely do a future video talk about it more. 😊
Thank you for speaking your mind and sharing your experiences. I swear hearing you is like hearing myself. The similarities between us is crazy, right down to the government job. The difference is I definitely don't have the support from anyone, either they say nothing or they are negative. Right now I am working on building a small business (eCommerce) so that I will make enough to be comfortable and leave my job. Then I will leave here, I am in Ontario, and go England (I have dual citizenship). I will be honest, getting my business off the ground is so hard and it's a mental strength I am lacking. I think I am burnt out from my work (my job) and I have zero support from my family. I just got to buck up and do it. I do have two sons, 19 and 27, they are both moving out at the end of August. Once they move out with the dogs I will be living solo. Life is changing quickly. I just want to say you really inspire me to keep going. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. 🌸
Thank you for sharing! 🥰 I think you are doing things the right way, slowly on the side. I know it’s hard but when you have that goal ahead of you I think it helps to keep going. I am here if you need support and I’m sure others here are rooting for you as well. ❤️ It’s going to be such a big change once your boys and dogs are gone but at least you will be able to focus on yourself. Wishing you all the best, I know you are going to succeed! 🙌🏻❤️
Hi Michelle 😊 you popped up in my feed about a week ago and I subscribed right away. I’m also a content creator and I just retired from my hair styling business. I am a self taught artist and hoping to incorporate it into my channel. You mentioned the Carolina’s, I actually live about 20 minutes from Boone NC. I wondered if you were in my area, it’s so beautiful here. I’ll keep trying to pop in when I can. I’m getting ready to start back creating the 1st of August,so hope to see you again! Keep up the good work really enjoying your content!
Hi Tonya! Thanks for watching, so glad you are here! ❤️ I’m actually in southern Ontario, Canada but the type of forest(biogeographic region) we have in our area is called Carolinian forest which is defined by all the deciduous trees. It reaches all the way down into the States. I do love coming down to NC and SC! It is such a great area! 🥰
Michelle , thank you for your Videos. Im 69yrs old and have been wanting to start a small business making enough money from my art to pay my bills and be comfortable. So that my children will not have to worry about me. A couple of things I'm having problems with that are holding me back are ...1. I'm not very computer-savvy. 2. I think I'd like to do some art licensing but don't know where to start. I do have a body of work , but need help putting together a portfolio. I want to start small so I know I can manage things on my own. If you could give us a list of say the first 5 things you need to get started I think that would be helpful. Thank you for taking us on this journey with you. And best of luck to you.
Hi Deborah, glad you are taking some steps to starting your art business. I should have a video on art licensing coming out in a few weeks! Stay tuned! 😊
I'm a nurse, the high burn out rate is real. There are so many demands of you while at 9-5, most can only do it for a short amount of their lifespan, and then feel stuck their, because of time, money and effort put into that education. There's a million reasons why your life choice may not be right for you NEVER force yourself to stay and don't feel bad about it either. The health and well being of yourself and family are far more important
Thank you for this video, Michelle! I have STILL not started due to all those things you mentioned! You asked what is the biggest thiing that is stopping me? Aside from confidence, I think it is just not being able to complete a task. When you are at that 9-5, there are people to ask, other departments and people to rely on, for knowledge. You get your questions answered and can get things done! I suppose you just have to do whatever it is and make mistakes until you don't!! lol Thanks for the nature walk! no bears where you are at? haha.
This winter my photography began changing. I started using my phone camera, first on walks on the campus after therapy sessions. I am becoming comfortable with letting my shadows, and that of the phone, become the story. This became a much interior exploration of my environment + me in it. You look wonderful, Michelle.
So true! I guess we just have to give ourselves some grace to try things and fail and try again in a different way and take time to research maybe. It does take time but that’s ok! Just enjoy! 😊 And no, there are no bears where I am but if I drive a few hours north there are quite a few. 😅
@user-ki1yc4vx2s I love NC! Last year we stayed in Asheville one night on our way to Charleston. Drove down all the way from Ontario. It was a great trip! ❤️
@@michellejozina @user-ki1yc4vx2s I have just a "little" fear of bears after having one in our camping area all night a few years back! Yikes! Scared me to death so now I can't even enjoy the great outdoors like I want to because I am worried about running into a bear. And I am in California. There are so many bears! lol
