WRITING UPDATE | I've given up? 🐙 

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The other day I saw someone say, "starting your first business is the best business school." Starting and running a business is HARD. Whether it's a restaurant, consulting firm, editorial services, retail, etc. There's no such thing as an easy business if you're starting from ground zero (AKA, no rich father to give you a 'small loan' of a million dollars lol). Please don't feel stupid or beat yourself up about this "failure." Many, many of the world's most successful entrepreneurs failed before they found what worked. Just because editing didn't work out, doesn't mean you'll be trapped in corporate life forever. And it doesn't mean you can't try again later.

keep going kelley 🤍🌷 ur doing so well. take care of urself xx

i miss you kelley

Kelley!! Thank you for sharing this video, I feel like the reality of balancing Life(tm) and the pursuit of a writing career gets brushed under the rug far too often. I so respect how hard you grind and writing will always be there when you have the time and energy for it!! I hope things settle down for you soon (and that Bramble stops being rude) 🫶

aw Kelley!! My heart goes out to u as you navigate this transition and having such a full plate ❤️ I hope you are able to find a balance that works for you, and I’m glad that you’ve taken the steps to take some things off your plate for the time being to spare your sanity!!! 🫶🏼✨ also would love to hangout next time I visit Jersey :’) I believe that’s where you said you moved to??

Kelley! Don’t feel like you’ve given up. It’s for now and you have a plan to get more writing in! I’m struggling because I too have taken on too much, but taking a step back is great! Good luck with the new job and clients! I’m rooting for you!

Everyone here has shared their fair share ( -redundant wording, I know- ) of encouraging thoughts, and I don't think there's really anything meaningful that I can add on that front. (I'd just be repeating much of the same stuff). But I'd like to point out what I admire about this video. Which is that behind all of the (painfully relatable 😩) doubts and life-changing events, I still see someone who has hope. It'd be easy to just passively let life take its course and quietly fade away into the background (like I've seen many creators do over the past 18 years or so). But instead you're here. And while it might not be the glamorous influencer-style vlog that's popular on RU-vid these days, it's a very raw and honest look at what being a creative is actually like, and (most importantly) it's still an effort (even if it might not feel like it). And I appreciate that. (Idk if my late night ramblings made any sense, but I really do hope that things calm down for you. I believe in you.)

I've been in a creative slump for a while too. Don't be too hard on yourself. You're one of my favorite AuthorTubers/vloggers. You're such a kind and hard working person 🫶

haven't watched the whole video, yet, but I don't think you should feel stupid for thinking that you could pivot from corporate to freelance editing! I think it's admirable that you have tried. Lots of people can't even say that, and it's not necessarily a failure. More of a learning experience. You tried it and maybe you could try it again in the future and things might be more fruitful, but at least you won't look back on this time and wonder what would have or could have happened if you just tried!

Hi, Kelley! Thank you for sharing what you’re going through. I’m a freelancer myself (sensitivity/authenticity reader) and while it’s never been my full time job (I wish!), I do enjoy the flexibility and helping authors with their books like you do! You are doing so much! It’s understandable that you feel overwhelmed. It’s so hard to find a balance. I hope you are able to give yourself some grace with your new full time job, your responsibilities with Augur, and your freelance editing business. And who knows? Maybe you can do freelance full time someday and then have more time for your own writing. You’ll query when the time is right for you-whether that’s next year or in a few years. Please don’t beat yourself up! You’re doing so much and you just had a major life transition with your move. Sending ease your way! 🥰💜

Wishing you the best! It sounds like you're doing what works for you. 😊

So completely understandable! This is such an impressive workload it is totally okay to adjust priorities. I also freelance and work full time so tend to push my writing to the side. Also, just in case you need to hear this, YOU DESERVE YOUR RATES! It’s always disheartening when people don’t appreciate the value of time and effort that goes into editing. Keep going and I really hope things work out and you get a little bit more breathing room.

you got this girrlll

Take care of yourself

Your hustle is inspirational...my mother is an Asian writer that quit for the wrong reasons picking up where she left of challenges me and sisters like you give me the energy i need to continue...btw love the and nails

I love millanote! Way way better than notion for me!

Kelley it sounds like you're taking on so much. It's definitely important to step back and see what you want to prioritize. Maybe you can find a mentor, coach, or someone to help you with scheduling and your why and what you need to do and what you want to do and how to plan for what's best for you. But, if you need a break from vlogging, writing, or your editing job for the sake of your mental health, instead of feeling stupid or like it's failing for how much you believed in the different pursuits you took on, instead you could view it as you're working on yourself for a better future. And that means some things need to be left behind for now, but you can get back to them in the future. Deep breaths. Wishing you well as you process your change with moving and now a long distance relationship.

Don’t give up you got this

Hope everything balances out and stabilizes Wo Ai Ni!!

Never feel bad for trying. Also, it sounds like your commute sucks. No WFH days?

🙄 I feed wild jungle birds every day

(1) you are a youtuber and editor and writer. They are all very time-consuming. They are all in the arts. People in the arts usually have a day job, paying the bills and writing/editing/youtubing, or someone to support them financially. (2) you live in a rich western nation, so of course, your expenses will be high as well. You can't afford to adjust your rates any lower. Maybe you can look forward to teaching English in a developing country and writing/editing/youtubing on the side. Then, the exchange rates will work in your favor. That US dollar / Canadian dollar can afford lots of things if you live in a developing country with lower standards of living. (3) you can start the #vanlife and live in a car. You will have to take into account of cooking, cleaning, bathing, garbage disposal, parking, safety, etc. though. You will not have a mailing address, so you may have to borrow someone else's to get mail. But you can stick around the public libraries and charge up on electronics and use the library computers to do your own freelance work.