My first year in business: a review

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts” Winston S. Churchill

Friends, it’s a big week!

I opened my shop and had my first sale in June 2014, so I’m now celebrating my official first year in business.

In the spirit of celebration, I want to share my biggest joys and lessons from this year.

It’s been a wild ride so far and I’m feeling thankful for the journey. As I take a look back over the year, I also thought it would be fun to have a little visual reminder of the range of paintings I’ve done from June 2014 – June 2015. I kind of love that only part of each painting is visible here (see the rest throughout the post).

Biggest joys

Discovering art has brought me SO MUCH joy, aliveness, and peace in the deepest part of my heart. I never thought I would feel this happy about work, even though there’s still so much uncertainty to sort through. Every happy feeling gives me the hope and determination to keep going through the tougher days.

My favorite joy-filled discoveries from this year:

1. Different painting styles emerged when I painted weekly. I have learned so much this year by trying vastly different styles of painting and by regularly sitting down to paint. I can see now that each new painting has built upon the next to bring me somewhere new. What I’ve learned: Don’t get stuck in a comfort zone and be afraid to explore. Try new things often — you never know what’s going to excite you. 
2. Connections with people of diverse backgrounds. Through my business forums, customer conversations, and my blog / newsletter, I’ve had conversations with people from all over the world. I’ve learned from artists, healers, spiritual leaders, marketers, authors, parents, and all other types of thoughtful souls. What I’ve learned: there are countless ways to live, be generous, and show kindness in this world. Share of yourself and others will do the same.
3. A huge attitude shift. I had no idea that beginning to paint would make me question and explore every area of my life. Suddenly everything seemed possible (possible is not the same as easy, which I’ll talk about below). No part of my life, from my morning routine to how I approach my relationships, has been free from reevaluation. What I’ve learned: Following a dream is always worth the risk, but also be prepared to discover who you truly are as you let go of what no longer serves you. 
4. God. I spent many years feeling so angry at organized religion that I couldn’t fit God into my life. This year the most profound change happened as I stepped into a happier version of myself. I softened, created space in my soul, and my anger was replaced with curiosity. I began to notice little signs and symbols in every day life, stumble across new spiritual teachers that I actually resonated with, and feel a growing understanding of how spirit touches my life. While I still don’t connect to organized religion, I’m more open to the universe than I ever have been. What I’ve learned: it no longer matters how / where I find spirituality as long as I feel love and an open heart.
5. Healing happens in the every day moments. I’ve had an enormous amount of healing to do over the past few months. By the time I left my full-time job in December, I was completely burnt out and my jaw ached 24/7 from constant clenching. It’s taken an enormous amount of self-care and compassion to bring me back to a neutral place from which I can grow. What I’ve learned: Our hearts and bodies will only be ignored for so long before they (loudly) let us know. The healing begins when we surrender and trust that we will find the way, however uncertain that path seems at first.

Biggest lessons

While I’ve definitely experienced happiness this year, I’ve also learned so much. Here are my top lessons:

1. Comparison-itis is so very real. I’ve tried very hard not to compare myself to other artists, especially artists who have been in the business for years, but it can be super easy to do. Whenever I feel myself getting sad that I’m not as polished or successful as someone else, I repeat some of my favorite wisdom: don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle. We all start at zero. None of us know what we’re doing in the beginning. Clarity comes when we show up and do the work each and every day.
2. Patience is easy in theory and difficult in practice. How many of you have tried something new (a project, job, diet, etc) and wanted it to succeed immediately? My practical mind knew that my business would take years to build, though my emotional mind wished for the type of whirlwind success that we see in the movies. It’s okay to figure things out as we go. My favorite affirmation goes: my life unfolds in divine timing. 
3. It’s okay to be yourself. There’s a lot of advice out there when you’re wanting to start a business. I could have spent the entire year reading blogs and taking classes and trying to figure out the exact formula for how I should write and create my art and present myself online. Some of that advice has been great, but I also decided early on to just write in my own voice, paint how I’m called to paint, and share what feels important and meaningful in the moment.
4. Discovering your passion won’t dissolve your fears or immediately make you braver. It would have been so great if discovering painting had erased all of my demons just like that. Of course, that was not at all the truth. Discovering painting brought all of my fears to the surface so that I could face them, then heal them one by one. Every negative story I’ve subconsciously held onto, such as I’m not smart / talented enough to make this work or who would want to hear from me?, have risen up and I’ve met them with love and compassion. Each time I break through another mental hurdle I can see how much stronger I’m becoming.
5. Boundaries are important. I still haven’t worked out the magic formula of balancing work and personal time, but I’m inching closer. I still don’t see friends as much as I’d like, and I haven’t exercised enough by far. What I have done is set up a morning routine that feels nourishing (smoothie, lots of water, etc) and create some time to wind down in the evenings. Burn out is terrible, friends! My goal these days: to regularly get outside for even a few minutes to just feel the sun and take some deep breaths.
6. Be diligent about your finances. Eric and I have been very careful about tracking our finances, especially as there’s still so much uncertainty this year. New businesses take a while to become truly profitable and I am doing some part time work until my business really takes off. The lesson has been that we’re more empowered and clear when we honor and track our money. Whenever I get stressed about money I repeat that same beautiful affirmation: my life unfolds in divine timing. 
7. Don’t be afraid to tweak what’s not working.  It’s okay to try something new. It’s okay to switch directions and to test a new idea even if you’re not sure it will work. It’s okay to not know the answers, but to keep trying anyway. Trust that trying something new, regardless of the outcome, will teach you a beautiful new lesson.

It’s been an important, huge, soul-changing year and I have lots planned for the summer / fall to keep expanding my comfort zone and getting my art out into the world.

I hope some of my lessons have been helpful to you on your own journey. The biggest lesson: don’t wait until you feel ready to follow what calls to you. You will never feel fully ready. Just open your heart and begin.

With love,

PS — do you know anyone who could benefit from these lessons? Please share this post if you do!