This month has been an incredibly stressful month. I’ve seen my fair share of breakdowns over insecurities bubbling to the surface, feeling too seen, feeling not seen enough, being pulled in too many directions, being directionless, business tax preparations, too much noise and physical sensations, not spending enough time resting or in the sun or getting enough water. I’m saddened that February has drawn to a close so quickly. February is one of my favorite months, I’m not entirely sure why, but it’s always been that way for me.
Yet, even as it draws to a close, and even though it was riddled with a lot of stress and anxiety and tears and fitful nights of sleep, I see the uphill swing I am about to enter upon. I see the clouds parting and the light shining and joyous days ahead. The burdens of this month have had their stay, and it is now time for them to depart. I am certain a few of their cousins will be making an appearance at my doorstep in the weeks to come, but for now, the Inn of Worries is empty and ready for some turn-down service, a bottle of champagne, and all the relaxation it desires.
Social Media
I have waffled for months and months with what I should do with regards to my social media, namely IG, and finally I decided to simply hand off my account to someone else entirely. I’m in this really weird space of transition with my business, and completely abandoning social media didn’t feel right, but also being so present all the time also didn’t feel comfortable for me. This feels like a happy medium, allowing me the chance to take a much needed step back while someone who finds being online enjoyable in all the ways I do not can step in and tae the reigns.
We are currently in the very beginning stages of everything, what we have collectively termed our trial period, to see how this set up will work, what we might need from one another, etc. etc., and I am excited to see what happens in this space and how it transforms my day-to-day work. I already feel a lightness to my days and my mind that I haven’t felt in a long time. I’m no longer operating from a reactionary, running-around-as-if-everything-is-on-fire mindset.
It’s weird. It’s freeing. It’s incredibly thrilling.
Book Clubs + Journaling
This month I was only able to attend one book club, and it’s one of the same ones I attended last month. I was supposed to attend a second, new-to-me club, but the dates got swapped around, and I was unable to participate. I haven’t given up, though, and hope to attend a new book club in the future, but for now, I’m quite happy with my current book club, its meeting place, and all the new people I am becoming fast friends with. I literally spent two hours chatting with one of the other attendees. We talked about everything under the sun and departed having exchanged numbers with hopes of hanging out in the future.
I’ve also started a book journal, just for the heck of it and as a way to be creative without any expectation that it will gain me anything other than internal joy. I’ve been having a lot of fun coming up with ideas for spreads and taking the time to draw them out. February’s was actually my favorite to create so far!
I popped into the library to print off a few colored copies of the books I currently own (and plan to read) so that I might paste them into my journal and write down mini reviews of them, which is something I am quite insecure about, the reviewing process. It is my hope that by writing down how I feel privately, in my journal, I will grow in confidence to share my thoughts more openly elsewhere. I have an aversion to stating my opinion too boldly for fear that it might upset someone else, a remnant of my childhood. So this is a small, safe way for me to slowly learn that expressing my opinions is okay. I am allowed to disagree with people. We can all have a variety of opinions and discuss them with one another and maybe glean a new understanding from each others perspectives.
I haven’t actually written down my thoughts on any of the books I’ve read so far this year, but I hope to do so at some point this weekend. My plan is to pop on some music, get a cozy beverage, and just write whatever feels natural. In time, I’ll find my voice and what best suits me with regards to writing these little reviews. But for now, I’m not putting any pressure on myself.
Sewing Sale
The sewing sale is still going on! Two weeks ago, I listed out a discount code that wasn’t working (whoops!). The issue has since been resolved, and now you can take 75% off all* sewing + handmade + embroidery items in the shop with code Newsletter75. This is the last month these items will be listed on my website. At the end of March, I will be removing everything from my shop (minus digital patterns), so if you see something you like, snag it now!
Free shipping on all U.S. orders of $75+, and free international shipping on anything $150+.
*This does not include digital sewing or embroidery patterns which are already listed as “Pay What You Can”.
February Reading Wrap Up
This month I only technically finished 4 books, but one of those books was a double feature from the Bronte sisters, so I’m going to go ahead and say I finished 5 books. Unfortunately, none of the books tickled my fancy as much as I had hoped. They weren’t good or bad, they just didn’t hit the spot in the way some of January’s reads did:
How to Fall Out of Love Madly by Jana Casale: This was probably my favorite and quickest read of the entire month. I related so heavily to the characters and their plights in love. There were many themes and ideas touched upon that I feel would resonate with those who identify as women, however, I was disappointed in the lack of overall diversity in this novel.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte: The start of this novel held such high hopes for me! I loved how immediately we are thrust into this dark and somber tone, so much so that you can practically feel the ivy creeping up the walls and the colors on the page turn to a rich, deep palatte. The story moved along at a nice clip, encompassing the entire childhood and early adulthood of our MC Jane. And I wasn’t expecting things to happen as they happened, which was lovely to be kept in such suspense. However, the final third of this book let me down bitterly. I was not a fan of the religious turn the story took nor of the conceited nature I felt shining through from the author with regards to anyone who wasn’t a “properly bred” English person. The final pages of the book felt rife with colonialism, missionary savourism, and just overall snobbery which I couldn’t get down with.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte: Another novel I was stoked to dive in to with the promise of creepy, dark vibes but again felt disappointed by. The writing style was quite lovely, and I enjoyed the POV within a POV, sometimes within another POV. That was very cleverly done. However, I found myself reading this book just to say I read it? Not even halfway through, I realized I was quite bored with the story and not at all invested in any of the characters because they were all awful! Especially Heathcliff and the original Catherine. I just . . .didn’t see any redeeming qualities and kept wondering why I was reading about two people who didn’t show much humanity for anyone else. Even the “tender” moments they sometimes showed one other weren’t enough to build any sense of compassion within me.
Nuclear Family by Joseph Han: I enjoyed both the beginning and ending of this book, along with the premise. But the whole central part of the book felt like a huge let down. This book really worked my brain the most as it was laced with metaphor and artistic flairs that more often than not confused the hell out of me. Some of it I understood, but other parts I was utterly lost and wondering why the story was made to be so convoluted as to make the deeper meaning feel elusive. But at the start and end of the novel, everything felt as if it came together and the themes shone brightest.
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz: I started this book back in January after reading
’s Tiny Biz Letters #1 in which she talks about her own business finances. Nic mentioned following Profit First, and I was intrigued by the way in which she said she separated her money and was able to pay herself a consistent salary even in when there were slower months. I immediately purchased the book for myself and got started, then fell into a trap of overwhelm (probably because I was also struggling with taxes). I’ve since finished it (literally last night) and have set up my five foundational accounts and had my first allocation of income since then. Logging into my new accounts, I can tell . . . this is going to work! I did enjoy this read overall, but I will say, I don’t know that an entire 200 page book was necessary to understand this concept, but that’s just my opinion. The ideas are amazing, and I am grateful to have received them when I did! I’m currently on my way to finding a Profit First Professional to help me in my business’ day-to-day operations. Wish me luck!
I am continuing on in my classics reading to kick start March. I’ve already checked out Gone with the Wind from my local library which is a huge novel standing at an impressive 1037 pages! I’m interested to read this classic as it is set during the time following the burning of Atlanta and the main characters are said to be truly terrible, but maybe in a more redemptive way than the characters of Wuthering Heights? We shall see. Afterwards, I plan to do a deep dive into some Dark Academia as I gear up for writing my next novel. I am still very much in the gathering information and inspiration phase, which is my favorite stage of any creative endeavor.
Novel News
All of the pre-orders of my novel have been sent off to their new homes! In total, I have sold 71 physical copies and 13 ebooks. The farthest places my *physical* novel has traveled include New Zealand, France, and Canada while the closest has been right here in my own town of Loganville!
There are still a few weeks left before the official publication date of the novel, so I will keep my books up for pre-order on the website. Each order will continue to receive special packaging + tea up until publication on March 19th. After that, all the extras will be gone, but the book will still be available! It is my hope that I reach 100 pre-sale physical orders. What would be out of this world! If it doesn’t happen, though, I am still pretty chuffed. I can’t believe so many have already ordered and received their copies and are enjoying the story I created in my head two years ago. How wild is that??
I’m still deciding what it is I wish to do to celebrate the official publication of my novel. I am notoriously terrible at celebrating accomplishments, instead plowing ahead toward my next goal. So I really want to mark the occasion somehow, which is partly why I chose to have the day land on the Spring Equinox because that is a day I already celebrate. Right now, I think I’ll keep things very low-key and celebrate with maybe a cake and a few friends? I’m not sure. Perhaps I’ll simply spend the day in the garden, letting the sun kiss my shoulders and sipping some of Aurum’s Lemon Balm Tea to quench my thirst.
Happy Thursday,
Brittani
A portion of March’s paid subscriptions + website purchases will be donated to Atlanta Community Food Bank.
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I'm so excited to hear about your decision to delegate your social media presence - as I still notice the heaviness around the decision about my half-abandoned, paused accounts. Look forward to hearing more about your experience as this is a huge inspiration for me!