Wow, how did that happen? I am sure it was not that long ago I was taking down Christmas Decorations!
I, like many others find that the winter months are tough. I find that ‘living in the dark’ really impacts on my mood, and I struggle to find the positivity. The ‘constant’ miserable weather is uninspiring.
This year I really embraced the idea that these months are for ‘rest, recuperation, and restoring’. A concept inspired by nature. Winter is the season where nature rests, so that it can bloom in the spring. If it is good enough for nature, it is good enough for us!
The evenings are getting a ‘smidgy’ bit lighter now, and the spring bulbs are blooming... so I guess, it is time to ‘re-emerge’ too. This can be tough. After time in the gloom it can feel daunting to re-emerge. Some of you may have self-doubt and criticisms repeating in your mind... “March already, I have not got anything done yet this year!”
Is that ‘truly true’? I am pretty sure, that you, like me, have ‘kept going this year’. Worked, ran a home, got up every day (at some point), seen friends and family, had ideas, cooked, walked, looked after the kids... We do lots of things without really thinking about it. Yet we still feel that these ‘living tasks’ are not enough. That there should be more...what is your ‘more’? What are you striving or aiming for? Now is the time to start making steps towards ‘your more’. Or, your time to recognise, that actually, ‘living tasks’ are enough!
#NOLABELS has the #positivesteps2019 campaign. This was not just for January and February. You can make positive steps at any point in life, or year. Infact, now is a great time to take a moment and think about your own positive steps.
I have been giving a lot of reflection to my positive steps for the rest of this year, personally, I need to continue to focus on ‘self-care’. We had #selfcarefebruary2019, and, along with a number of you, this helped to raise my awareness of the importance of this. However, I do not have ‘looking after myself' completely sorted! Moderation for me is crucial, and the great cliché of ‘listening to my body’ is important. Yes, my body, not my mind. Our bodies are well designed to know what we need. It is our own ego, self-criticisms, and judgements that suggest that ‘we know what is best for it’.
The other area that I am focusing on is growing a successful business. It is great when people ask me ‘How is it going?’. Mmm... what exactly do I say? I have fine-tuned my response to this... “It depends if you are asking about financial success, or, if you are asking, are you achieving what you set out to do?” I say.
If it is about how #NOLABELS is doing then the shop is a fabulously welcoming space that people are drawn to, to share their challenges and receive compassionate thoughtful advice on a regular basis. I have met some wonderful people so far, and many brave people who have joined sessions to learn more about their wellbeing. People with mental health connections are taking the first steps in selling their own creations in the shop and I have a few regulars who come in for support when I am open. This has been a real privilege, and honor to be a part of. I am so pleased that it has helped some people.
The other part though...the BIG challenge... is it making money? Well no, not really. I hear a lot of people say, “well no business does for the first few years”. This is tricky... This organisation’s business model is not a social enterprise, or a ‘non-profit’. It is a social business, and therefore, focusses on supporting the community, rather than profit. There is a balance though...it still needs to generate enough money to pay the bills!
My fears and lack of knowledge around business has kept me quite stuck, and frozen in worry, and confusion. What is the next step...what will make it ‘financially successful’?... am I doing it all wrong? I am such a failure! Starting this business was a huge leap of faith...
It may surprise those that only know me from social media, but ‘selling myself’ is not really my strong point! I am more than happy and confident in my abilities to support someone when they are in need, and are right in front of me. Sometimes, I even feel confident that I have developed a wide range of skills to do this. Most of the time, however, I just put it down to my natural ability, and no skill at all! This is when recognising my ‘value’ becomes a challenge!
With this in mind. I knew that I had to give myself time to just get used to being in the public domain. Get used to making regular facebook posts. Yes, even that is, and was, a challenge. What will people think? Will I spell everything wrong? Will I come across as annoying, conceited, a ‘know it all’? This list of worrying thoughts and predictions is endless (seriously, if you have anxiety you know what I mean!).
I needed time to get used to people coming into the shop. It feels vulnerable speaking about the organisation. My aims, and hopes for the future. All of this has ‘pushed my buttons’ of insecurities, and ‘not good enough’ thoughts and feelings. So, I have taken my time. I have tried as best I can, not to put too high an expectation on myself. To just take each day as it comes and learn as I go. Make decisions based on what ‘feels right’ and not my ‘over thinking mind’, or what others say ‘makes good business sense’.
So now is the time for a few adjustments, in light of my recent learning and self-development. I really want to focus on the wellbeing side of the business. Wednesdays are now going to be dedicated to individual sessions, workshops and ‘business stuff’.
I hope that by doing this, I can grow the mental wellbeing support offered by #NOLABELS. I can increase my time spent on providing the easy to read, relatable content that I have been striving to make. To support you to receive mental wellbeing advice with my trade mark authenticity, creativity and humour!
Saturdays will continue to be the focus for the retail aspect of #NOLABELS. The Gift Shop will be open to sell the various wares of all involved!
I hope that this Blog has in some way inspired you take a moment and reflect on your own positive steps. To put yourself higher up on the priority list and look after your own mental wellbeing. Writing this Blog has certainly helped me to focus on mine!
Nikky x
PS: #NOLABELS is still passionate that mental wellbeing support should be accessible to all and not to be limited to those who can ‘afford it’, or have the ‘correct diagnosis’. Therefore, a lot of the content is FREE. If you do feel that you would like to support #NOLABELS by making a donation. It would be gratefully received, and is easy to do by clicking on the button below!