I have to say - and you’ve probably thought this already, Monique, so nothing new and earth shattering from me - the three ‘options’ sound like three ‘steps’ … a gentle evolution versus a ‘big bang’ revolution. Step One, commit to possibilities by removing certainty (you’ll never know about living on one wage unless you experience it - equate it to JoJo and I closing our deli, selling the house and buying a van, without the ‘no home, roaming life’ part!) … create new structure (a commitment to 1,2, 3 days at ‘work’ … something different … a coffee shop, someone else’s small business, a volunteer role, reading to kids at school, a library, a bookshop … a blend of all of them) … fill some of the capacity you’ve created with study - try it for size. Sounds exciting.
Also, ‘human being’ not ‘human doing’ works for me!
Small steps often lead to the big one. And there’s a natural progression that you can feel in your bones. We’ve often said, “If we don’t try it, we’ll never know what might have been,” giving ourselves grace if it doesn’t work out.
I am fully aware that my opinion (expressed from my living room sofa in a small town in Estonia) has no weight in your decision making and yet I wish to cheer “Go for bibliotherapy!” It is absolutely amazing how poetry and writing can powerfully bring clarity, influence identity and heal a person. To have these skills and support others is a noble duty. 💖📚📝
Speaking as someone who, two years ago, walked away from a (ridiculously) busy business to rest, recover, and reset, you’ll never regret it.
I still have my baking business, but it’s on my terms now. I don’t have many cafe orders, and I choose which markets I want to be a part of, and say no thanks to those that don’t feel right to me.
Am I making less money? Yes. Does it worry me? A bit. But the positive effect this decision has had on my very overworked body has been remarkable, and I wish I’d done it sooner.
Have you ever thought of taking your gorgeous sewing to market, Monique? People are always looking for original designs and things made by a real person. Just a thought xx
I have to say - and you’ve probably thought this already, Monique, so nothing new and earth shattering from me - the three ‘options’ sound like three ‘steps’ … a gentle evolution versus a ‘big bang’ revolution. Step One, commit to possibilities by removing certainty (you’ll never know about living on one wage unless you experience it - equate it to JoJo and I closing our deli, selling the house and buying a van, without the ‘no home, roaming life’ part!) … create new structure (a commitment to 1,2, 3 days at ‘work’ … something different … a coffee shop, someone else’s small business, a volunteer role, reading to kids at school, a library, a bookshop … a blend of all of them) … fill some of the capacity you’ve created with study - try it for size. Sounds exciting.
Also, ‘human being’ not ‘human doing’ works for me!
Bon Courage. Barrie
Small steps often lead to the big one. And there’s a natural progression that you can feel in your bones. We’ve often said, “If we don’t try it, we’ll never know what might have been,” giving ourselves grace if it doesn’t work out.
I am fully aware that my opinion (expressed from my living room sofa in a small town in Estonia) has no weight in your decision making and yet I wish to cheer “Go for bibliotherapy!” It is absolutely amazing how poetry and writing can powerfully bring clarity, influence identity and heal a person. To have these skills and support others is a noble duty. 💖📚📝
I have to say the wild card sounds rather exciting……🧡
Speaking as someone who, two years ago, walked away from a (ridiculously) busy business to rest, recover, and reset, you’ll never regret it.
I still have my baking business, but it’s on my terms now. I don’t have many cafe orders, and I choose which markets I want to be a part of, and say no thanks to those that don’t feel right to me.
Am I making less money? Yes. Does it worry me? A bit. But the positive effect this decision has had on my very overworked body has been remarkable, and I wish I’d done it sooner.
Have you ever thought of taking your gorgeous sewing to market, Monique? People are always looking for original designs and things made by a real person. Just a thought xx