03/22/2022
It’s the 1-year business birthday of Hey Chels Studio! Today marks one whole trip around the sun since taking the leap to working full-time for myself. 🥳
This past year has been filled with the highest highs of my life, but also more stress than I’ve ever taken on before (oh, hello, grey hairs 👀), but has also been filled with so much learning, above all else.
Prior to taking said leap, I was met with a real mixed bag from friends and family. It was either “Just go for it!!!!” or – “Oh, wow… you know we’re in a pandemic right? 😳” and yet, even with those (loving) nudges of foreboding, I felt that this was the right move for me, and that somehow, I could maybe, hopefully, probably? — figure it out and make it work.
Like with any job, there have been really wonderful weeks where everything feels shiny and fun, and of course, some down days where the stress is really a lot. The entrepreneurial urge to work yourself into the ground is admittedly super hard to resist, especially when feeling extra creatively inspired.
I remember seeing a venn diagram meme, with three circles:
1. relationships and social life
2. rest and personal care
3. business success
You can only have two. Or imminent death!! 🧟♀️ or, y’know, burnout — and I have found this to be very true. Finding the coveted balance has been part of the learning.
I realized that as long as you can move past the “down days” and still feel that you are both growing and fulfilled after each turning month, you’re golden.
For me, being an independent business owner means I can show up authentically as myself in any given professional situation. I can say yes and no freely, and the path isn’t cast in stone, which is oddly… thrilling?
But that about concludes my brain dump. It’s been an absolute ride this past year, and ultimately this day is really a cheers to you guys. If not for the support and encouragement, I don’t think I’d have been able to do this. Thank you. To my clients and collaborators, and folks who’ve believed in me, you are simply the best. I am so deeply grateful, and can’t wait for what’s in store! ❤️
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Photo:
Makeup: .by.yelena
