Cue the Clarity

When we are looking for clarity what does that mean to you? For me it means that I have a clear and focused understanding of my own emotions, experiences, and the world around me. Having clarity allows us to make sense of our feelings, thoughts, and behaviors, which in turn contributes to our emotional well-being. 

I'm bringing a lot of this up because I have felt the severe lack of clarity in my life, but especially within my "business" world. Many people that are around me don't understand what it takes to run a small online business, what it takes to grow online, and the amount of imposter syndrome we face day in and day out because we are constantly online. 

I chatted about this in a previous blog about not understanding what I do as an online business owner. I have been told and I believe that some assume these things; she's not doing anything all day, it doesn't take that much time to do that, or I'm so tired of hearing her talk about her business. Yes, these are real comments. In my previous blog I shared that "they can't understand what I do, just like I don't understand what they do". It's honestly a really strange world to be in when running a small online business. 

What I'm realizing after I chatted with a gal that I took a class with and she shared how she perceived me and my approach to business. The thing was you'd think it was rude...but NO, it was a huge AHA moment and wake up call for me; truly a CUE THE CLARITY moment! I'd honestly felt these things and when she said them, it made them real and then I truly understood and grasped where my heart and feelings were in regards to my business. 

I LOVE EVERYTHING I've created here at Butterflies + Halos, but there has been something missing. I can't make a living off of selling $6 cards, especially when I'm not getting a lot of wholesale orders. I LOVE doing the pop ups and chatting with customers and seeing their faces light up and how they love my cards, my words, my everything I have created. It's therapy for the both of us at pop up events. 

I LOVE EVERYTHING about my book!! This has been my WHY all along and I want this to grow even bigger and reach the masses! BUT, I have to pivot my marketing a little with this and change the narrative of my own business journey. 

SO...where does this leave us here at Butterflies + Halos? Exactly where we are at (for now ;). I will always always sell my cards because I love them so much and they are needed and wanted all around the world. There will be zero changes with any of that. I have 10 more cards I just created that are going to still be released and honestly in my very humble opinion, they just keep getting better and better! Seriously, this next release is AWESOME! With this release it brings me to 178 SKU's!!! That is 178 cards you guys; cards that I have created from my own feelings, thoughts, things I've heard along the way, or words that people have told me to use on cards! This is truly incredible and I've done this in 2 years of starting my business! INCREDIBLE! 

I'm going to be adding a couple things that you will see a slow and steady roll out coming in the next few months. I am investing in "something" that is going to hopefully change the direction and be the pivot of my entire small business. This is going to be where I grow and do what I've been searching for within myself; cue the clarity. ALSO, don't forget if you read my emails, I have an upcoming co-author project I'm working on for the Global Resilience Projects book "Resilient A.F. Vol 2" that will be releasing in January 2025 with a debut in Times Square on a billboard!! 

Please stay tuned and continue following the journey with me! Continue to PURCHASE the cards and support those friends who need it the most (all while supporting my small business...win-win!) Every day is a great day to send a card to someone who is on your mind! I will continue to blog and share my rambling, but very amazing thoughts with all of you because this is my jam honestly! (now how to monetize this...hmmm) ;) 

Are you yourself ever feeling overwhelmed by the constant stream of information, the feeling of not knowing how to move forward and the distractions in today's ever changing world? It's easy to get lost in the chaos and lose focus on what truly matters. There are ways to bring clarity back into your mind and regain control of your thoughts. I will share a few below that have really helped me:

Practice Mindfulness

• Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and fully aware of your thoughts and feelings. By taking the time to focus on the present and let go of worries about the past or future, you can clear your mind of clutter and improve your mental clarity. Journaling is a huge help in this practice. 

Limit Multitasking

• While multitasking may seem like a way to get more done in less time, it can actually hinder your ability to focus and process information effectively. By focusing on one task at a time, you can give your full attention to the task at hand and improve your cognitive clarity. I've been #1 problem in this; I try to watch, listen, and do all at one time. Not a good idea. 

Get Enough Sleep

• Sleep plays a crucial role in cognitive function and mental clarity. Lack of sleep can impair your ability to concentrate, make decisions, and solve problems. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to ensure your mind is sharp and clear during the day. I have been practicing this more and more and I have seen the improvements lately. 

Stay Hydrated

• Dehydration can lead to fatigue, brain fog, and difficulty concentrating. Make sure to drink enough water throughout the day to keep your mind hydrated and functioning at its best. Aim for at least 8 glasses of water a day to stay alert and focused. 

Take Breaks

• It's important to give your mind a break from constant stimulation and work. Taking short breaks throughout the day can help refresh your mind, improve focus, and enhance mental clarity. Try taking a walk, practicing deep breathing, or simply closing your eyes for a few minutes to recharge your mind. This has been one of my biggest changes; the walking, the deep breathing, and closing my eyes for just a moment. During these times, I intentionally set my mind to pray and seek the clarity that I'm yearning. 

Remember, a clear mind is a powerful mind. I hope these very simple tasks can help you also cue the clarity in your mind. I also recommend staying in the present instead of looking at the past or future. By setting these intentional feelings to the present we can be more objective in our daily lives. 

As we all learn to "Cue the Clarity" remember that "Together we are Better" and that has been very evident in my chats with the people that I have surrounded myself with lately who have helped guide me through these foggy thoughts that surrounded my business (some personal) and kept me from moving forward and growing. Buckle up friends, together this is going to be a wild ride of HOPE!