Hi Mika. This is special and I love it! It feels like since 2020 all I’ve done is pivot. Feels a bit like whiplash. Here are just a few - moved our family from Midwest back east where we grew up, left 24-year corporate grind at JP Morgan when they decided to exit my site in Ohio, began knitting and crocheting and now I’m designing my first pattern for resale (I speak of this in my latest post Beguiled where I’m sharing my process in a design-along series https://coribren.substack.com/p/beguiled?r=2umm6v), began writing here in Jan 2024 and I’m loving it, and alas am about to semi-retire from my current leadership role in higher education. I’m not so bad at pivoting but do have challenges with wanting to try so many things. After the holidays I’m adding a paid option and starting a podcast. I simply take my time and don’t get too wrapped up in stats. All that said I do have my days when I don’t want to move or do anything for anyone including myself.✌️
I’m an artist with a part time day job. I recently switched to a new company to a job that offered better pay and fewer hours. I liked the old job but a pattern had built over time of saying yes every time they needed a shift covered so I was always being counted on to work even though I had studio plans. Today I got a request from my new manager to cover a shift tomorrow on my day off. I’m so sorry I wrote I have plans. Very satisfying to lay the foundation for a new boundary wall.
Wohooo! I am loving the boundaries! This week, after journalling, these words came to me: “Allow space for dreams to become a reality”. If we don’t make space for our dreams, who will? Cheering you on!
Recently I was a women event in my company and we had a short workshop on stress; it's interesting to find so many who are perfectionist! I am not one though XD I notice though the perfectionist do achieve great things, but maybe to the detriment of other things.
Pivoting is a scary thing. I will never forget the time I quit my day job for real, it was liberating and scary. But I also have not achieve the things I've set out to do, so it is also important to accept failure and learn from it. Also maybe to reassess what was it I wanted to achieve in the first place.
I find that if I don't have a focus (even it's just telling myself to be present and enjoy the book I'm reading) I flail. I used to tell myself I "should" just be able to relax but my brain doesn't work that way. Once I accepted, everything felt so much easier.
"The other day, though, I managed to get myself out for a walk. I was feeling pretty proud…until I caught myself thinking, “I should really aim for 8,000 steps today.” - This is meeee! 😅 It's one of the reasons that my tiny ideas turn into giants as I peer into the future and start pondering, haha.
I've always known that I did things a bit differently, but over the years of designing a creative life for myself, I managed to create a pretty box where I could let my uniqueness live alongside the shoulds. This box got broken down these last 2-3 years and this is the second biggest pivot in my life so far. My biggest learning curve at the moment is letting go completely of what I think an artist should do online and in her daily life and that it's okay to embrace all facets of self instead of compartilizing to fit the boxes society throws at us. With this I often get caught in figuring out the best way to go about this pivot.
During my IG quest I had a brief moment where I felt that I had to reopen my second IG for my lifestyle posts and rambles about food in my stories. I felt a bit too much with what I did and that I could confuse my audience. I quickly realized that unless I have a clear intention to reopen it aka it would support a goal or a new venture, one account is more than enough. So I've been returning to my "why" a lot lately and I have to have a sticky note nearby as I'm still a bit too easily influenced by what I see online 😅 I have to trust that I am the niche and that what I share is enough. 🥰 xx
Aww thank you! 🤗 And yesss, Youtube has been on my mind for a while, but didn’t start yet as I had to work through some other shifts first. It was one of the ideas that got a bit too big when it first entered my world, haha. But I do feel a lot clearer about what I want to do with little videos and projects, so will give it a go soon! I did prep my channel already, so that’s a start, haha.
Love this post! The Should Committee in my head likes to make their voices heard, and I'm so tired of it! I "should" write tonight even though I'm exhausted...I "should" go on a walk even though if I do, I'll end up in a flare and be in bed for a week...those are the mini "shoulds" I deal with. I'm working on pivoting with those.
But I'm pivoting in another way, a bigger way - moving halfway across the country from Nebraska to Virginia. No, it's not for a job or for a relationship or for anything like that...but because I've always wanted to live in a place rich with the history that I love. And as I'll be 50 next year, I thought, "If not now, when?" I've lived in Nebraska my entire life - and around my family. We're pretty close-knit so this is going to be an adjustment...but if I don't try, I'll never know. What I DO know is that I cannot continue on the path I'm on...living where I do, existing, but not really LIVING.
The Should Committee often doesn't make sense and should be dismissed! hahah
Thank you for sharing your pivot! l am definitely going to follow your journey, because I feel a move in the near future. (I'm about a year or two behind you xx).
Thank you! I’m so excited…but yes, definitely scared. My apartment is a mess with all the boxes everywhere…and I’ll just put up a small table top tree for Christmas instead of decorating the whole apartment which I usually do…and that makes me sad. BUT. I’m focusing on a new future!
I’m sure there are going to be a lot of changes that are going to tinged with a little sadness…leaving friends and fav hang outs. That’s what makes change so difficult. Hugs xx
Thank you for the shoutout ❤️. I feel like my entire career is one pivot after another, but I wouldn't have it any other way. It's a sign that I'm following my curiosity and committed to never being stagnant!
I’ve really enjoyed following your journey. Especially because you ended up doing what a lot of people online have strived to do, make a living online, but you stepped away from it and carving your new normal. super fascinating. Thanks for your transparency and I always love your casual chitty chats at the end. ☺️
I think I need to ask this question to myself more often. Sometimes we don't realise that most of our decisions are influenced by societal norms in some way or the other. Not many people have the courage to pivot, but I believe that we should if it leads us to a more satisfied version of ourself. Such a lovely reminder !💕
Oh, those pesky "shoulds"! I've definitely fallen into that trap before, setting unrealistic expectations for myself and then feeling like a failure when I couldn't keep up. It's so important to remember that we're all on our own unique journeys. Thanks for the reminder to let go of those "shoulds" and embrace the freedom to simply be ourselves.
Thanks for this, Mika! What a beautiful read. "Who says?" is such a lovely mantra. That one will stick with me for awhile. Thanks for sharing my note, too—I appreciate that more than I can say! 💛
Hi Mika. This is special and I love it! It feels like since 2020 all I’ve done is pivot. Feels a bit like whiplash. Here are just a few - moved our family from Midwest back east where we grew up, left 24-year corporate grind at JP Morgan when they decided to exit my site in Ohio, began knitting and crocheting and now I’m designing my first pattern for resale (I speak of this in my latest post Beguiled where I’m sharing my process in a design-along series https://coribren.substack.com/p/beguiled?r=2umm6v), began writing here in Jan 2024 and I’m loving it, and alas am about to semi-retire from my current leadership role in higher education. I’m not so bad at pivoting but do have challenges with wanting to try so many things. After the holidays I’m adding a paid option and starting a podcast. I simply take my time and don’t get too wrapped up in stats. All that said I do have my days when I don’t want to move or do anything for anyone including myself.✌️
I’m an artist with a part time day job. I recently switched to a new company to a job that offered better pay and fewer hours. I liked the old job but a pattern had built over time of saying yes every time they needed a shift covered so I was always being counted on to work even though I had studio plans. Today I got a request from my new manager to cover a shift tomorrow on my day off. I’m so sorry I wrote I have plans. Very satisfying to lay the foundation for a new boundary wall.
Wohooo! I am loving the boundaries! This week, after journalling, these words came to me: “Allow space for dreams to become a reality”. If we don’t make space for our dreams, who will? Cheering you on!
Recently I was a women event in my company and we had a short workshop on stress; it's interesting to find so many who are perfectionist! I am not one though XD I notice though the perfectionist do achieve great things, but maybe to the detriment of other things.
Pivoting is a scary thing. I will never forget the time I quit my day job for real, it was liberating and scary. But I also have not achieve the things I've set out to do, so it is also important to accept failure and learn from it. Also maybe to reassess what was it I wanted to achieve in the first place.
I find that if I don't have a focus (even it's just telling myself to be present and enjoy the book I'm reading) I flail. I used to tell myself I "should" just be able to relax but my brain doesn't work that way. Once I accepted, everything felt so much easier.
Acceptance is so key isn’t it? I’m so glad you gave yourself grace. 💕
"The other day, though, I managed to get myself out for a walk. I was feeling pretty proud…until I caught myself thinking, “I should really aim for 8,000 steps today.” - This is meeee! 😅 It's one of the reasons that my tiny ideas turn into giants as I peer into the future and start pondering, haha.
I've always known that I did things a bit differently, but over the years of designing a creative life for myself, I managed to create a pretty box where I could let my uniqueness live alongside the shoulds. This box got broken down these last 2-3 years and this is the second biggest pivot in my life so far. My biggest learning curve at the moment is letting go completely of what I think an artist should do online and in her daily life and that it's okay to embrace all facets of self instead of compartilizing to fit the boxes society throws at us. With this I often get caught in figuring out the best way to go about this pivot.
During my IG quest I had a brief moment where I felt that I had to reopen my second IG for my lifestyle posts and rambles about food in my stories. I felt a bit too much with what I did and that I could confuse my audience. I quickly realized that unless I have a clear intention to reopen it aka it would support a goal or a new venture, one account is more than enough. So I've been returning to my "why" a lot lately and I have to have a sticky note nearby as I'm still a bit too easily influenced by what I see online 😅 I have to trust that I am the niche and that what I share is enough. 🥰 xx
I love hearing about your journey 💕💕
Would you ever do YouTube?
Also, some of my fav artists are foodies:
https://www.instagram.com/juliannedoodles?igsh=MTdnZnd1N2k4ZmUzZA==
https://www.instagram.com/caitshouse?igsh=MWN4am5rdHJiOWJhNA==
☺️
Aww thank you! 🤗 And yesss, Youtube has been on my mind for a while, but didn’t start yet as I had to work through some other shifts first. It was one of the ideas that got a bit too big when it first entered my world, haha. But I do feel a lot clearer about what I want to do with little videos and projects, so will give it a go soon! I did prep my channel already, so that’s a start, haha.
Thank you! I will browse their feeds asap! 💜
Love this post! The Should Committee in my head likes to make their voices heard, and I'm so tired of it! I "should" write tonight even though I'm exhausted...I "should" go on a walk even though if I do, I'll end up in a flare and be in bed for a week...those are the mini "shoulds" I deal with. I'm working on pivoting with those.
But I'm pivoting in another way, a bigger way - moving halfway across the country from Nebraska to Virginia. No, it's not for a job or for a relationship or for anything like that...but because I've always wanted to live in a place rich with the history that I love. And as I'll be 50 next year, I thought, "If not now, when?" I've lived in Nebraska my entire life - and around my family. We're pretty close-knit so this is going to be an adjustment...but if I don't try, I'll never know. What I DO know is that I cannot continue on the path I'm on...living where I do, existing, but not really LIVING.
The Should Committee often doesn't make sense and should be dismissed! hahah
Thank you for sharing your pivot! l am definitely going to follow your journey, because I feel a move in the near future. (I'm about a year or two behind you xx).
Thank you! I’m so excited…but yes, definitely scared. My apartment is a mess with all the boxes everywhere…and I’ll just put up a small table top tree for Christmas instead of decorating the whole apartment which I usually do…and that makes me sad. BUT. I’m focusing on a new future!
I’m sure there are going to be a lot of changes that are going to tinged with a little sadness…leaving friends and fav hang outs. That’s what makes change so difficult. Hugs xx
Thank you for the shoutout ❤️. I feel like my entire career is one pivot after another, but I wouldn't have it any other way. It's a sign that I'm following my curiosity and committed to never being stagnant!
I’ve really enjoyed following your journey. Especially because you ended up doing what a lot of people online have strived to do, make a living online, but you stepped away from it and carving your new normal. super fascinating. Thanks for your transparency and I always love your casual chitty chats at the end. ☺️
Thank-you for the love Mika! This made my heart explode like a violet firework. ✨ 😉 💜 ✨
Awwww, I’m so glad!!! 💕💕💕
Thank you for the encouragement, Mika! I am on a new journey as well, having just left the 8a-5p.
I'm excited to be right here embracing the unknown, observing and sharing the inspirations of our collective world <3
I would love to hear more about your decision to leave your job! Excited for new adventures ahead for you. 💕
"Who says?"
I think I need to ask this question to myself more often. Sometimes we don't realise that most of our decisions are influenced by societal norms in some way or the other. Not many people have the courage to pivot, but I believe that we should if it leads us to a more satisfied version of ourself. Such a lovely reminder !💕
💯! It does take bravery to step outside of societal norms and expectations from family (and ourselves).
I think you’ll really enjoy this, if you haven’t read it already: https://www.moremyself.xyz/p/goodwork?r=iv86x&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
So true about the shoulds. Thanks for sharing!
You’re so welcome! I’m glad it was helpful. We need to throw out the shoulds! 😄
Oh, those pesky "shoulds"! I've definitely fallen into that trap before, setting unrealistic expectations for myself and then feeling like a failure when I couldn't keep up. It's so important to remember that we're all on our own unique journeys. Thanks for the reminder to let go of those "shoulds" and embrace the freedom to simply be ourselves.
It’s an easy trap to fall into and so freeing when we decide to let it go!
Here’s to our wings! 🪽
Thanks for this, Mika! What a beautiful read. "Who says?" is such a lovely mantra. That one will stick with me for awhile. Thanks for sharing my note, too—I appreciate that more than I can say! 💛
I loved the saying because it snaps me out of a trance of negativity. 👌☺️
I wake up everyday with a boat load of shoulds. This post makes me want to pivot to thinking I have enough, I am doing enough and I am enough.
I have my word for 2025 now…Pivot!
Great post!!
Woohoo! I feel the empowerment coming from your words. 2025 is going to be your year! 💕
Woohoo! I appreciate your encouragement and support! ❤️
Grrrrrllll my entire existence is one big pivot 🤣 Honestly, I should have called my newsletter PIVOTHOOD instead of Wildhood!
I was thinking of you and Alexa as I was writing it! So many brave pivots!
OMG, Mika, you're SO right! Who said that anyway? Permission to do your own thing, on your own timeline xo
Exactly! It’s kind of crazy when you catch yourself. Let’s be a better friend to ourselves and not a mean taskmaster. 💕