5 Things I Learned After Nearly Abandoning My Business

I don't know what's worse... being in denial that summer is over and I'm asking myself where the year has gone, or looking at goals I had written down at the beginning of the year and seeing that I haven't accomplished any of them. Either way, there's a whole lot of truth in both statements.

In the recent months, I've been challenged with a family emergency that has led me down a road of so many emotions that caused me to reevaluate my commitments, test my patience, and prioritize what's most important to me... 

​My Family.

We don't realize how valuable time is until it's the one thing you're
trying desperately to grasp onto.

1. Time is the most valuable currency.

When I used to hear the phrase Time is money, it never really meant much to me when Sex and the City's Samantha Jones would say it. To be honest, it never rang true even when I first started my business because I used to just intake photography gigs as a side hustle like a tween who made "extra money" from recycling cans to be able to buy ice cream and a movie with her friends on a Friday night.

But now I get it more than ever.

Emergencies have a way of snapping your mind into a whirlwind and all you could think of is "Do I have enough time?" 

Time to rearrange your schedule, time off from work and still have an income, time to be with those who need you most. All these and more come flooding through the front of your mind. We don't realize how valuable time is until it's the one thing you're trying desperately to grasp onto.

This time around, I get it. I get that when I'm being hired for a job, it's taking me away from the people who count on me, and from doing things I most desperately need or would rather be doing. So the real question when you're  considering taking on a job will be: Is it worth it?

Think about it. You might find that more often than not, it's not. But when it is, man, oh, man, it's so worth it.


2. Focus on the positive.

Overall, I'm a pretty positive person, but during these recent times staying positive and still being in the thick of it all--hoping for the best is all I've got.

While trying to stay positive, I basically left my business to fend for itself, I was far from positive. If anything, In retrospect, I would've thought my business was going to tank, fail, cease to exist... you get the picture.

But given the circumstances and challenges I've been faced with, my business--something I've obsessed over, my work, my baby, my passion--didn't even surface in my mind. At some point, I was almost positive I didn't care about my business anymore. 

Oh, but hat was far from the truth. I was just faced with the reality that made me realize that my business is not my identity. It is something I created out of thin air. And I have to remain positive that things will turn out alright in the end if I pushed and fight hard enough, if I fight for it and stay positive, things will look up.


3. Patience is a virtue.

Anytime someone would tell me how they admire my patience, I have to laugh and give them a modest nod thank you. The truth is, patience hasn't always been my strong suit. I'm one to shake my leg from being too antsy, take deep sighs when having to wait in line too long, and even question other people's sense of urgency when *insert whatever here* because ain't nobody got time for that.

But today, I sit bedside from a hospital room (without shaking my antsy leg) and tested with patience. 


4. Naps are gold.

Naps are for pansies. 

That's what I used to say all the time (and I meant it). I ignorantly thought that people who needed naps were somehow weaker because they were so tired all the time. As if something in their brain made them recharge because they lacked enough juice in their body to function. And although that's essentially what the brain is telling your body, it doesn't mean it's bad. 

Time away from my business allowed me that time to take naps in between the chaos of life, and let me tell you..
20 minute power naps are gold. I'd give up my Starbucks dirty chai tea latte for a 20 minute nap right about now. 

​
5. Be Present.

And lastly, I've learned to be present.

Presently, I'm sitting in my mom's hospital room as she sleeps with a dim night light and I'm trying to type as quietly as possible. It's 3:30 in the morning, and I'm tired. But I'm present. I'm present for her.. and for the rest of the people who need me. Most importantly, I'm present for myself. 

Even though day dreaming that I'm having the time of my life on some paradise island, I don't think that's healthy. I think out of all the things I've learned these past few months is to present. And it's the hardest part.

But when done right, it's pretty fricken beautiful.

Tell me friends, how are you doing these days? Anything I said speak to you? I'd love to know in the comments of shoot me an email and let me know how you're doing. At the end of the day, we're all here to connect with one another so we can let each other know it's all going to be okay. 

So this is me telling you... you're doing the best that you can, and you're going to be just fine.