This post is part of my monthly Community Engagement Thread series, free to all of my subscribers. If you’re looking to join a supportive community to chat about all things motherhood, creativity, neurodiversity, then you’re in the right place! Come on in…
I'd love to start a conversation around guilt... Can people tell me (in relation to Sophie's topics around motherhood, creative business and neurodiversity) where feelings of guilt most pop up for them? And which feelings of guilt you most struggle with? ❤️
I'll start...
Currently I'm struggling with feeling guilty about the amount of hours I'm putting into building my new creative business, which is taking my time and attention away from my partner and the kids 😟
Guilt is massive for me. It shows up everywhere. I feel guilt if I work on my Substack when I have client work outstanding, or if I work on client work and haven't yet written anything for my Substack. I feel it when I work (at all) when the children are home. I feel guilty when I don't get as many hours of work done when I have childcare, or that the house needs cleaning, or there hasn't been enough time to do a project that the children wanted to do. Or that I haven't spent enough 1:1 time with each child, or my husband, or I haven't walked the dogs much this week because I've been busy.
So yeah, you could say I sometimes feel guilty 😅🤦🏼♀️🤣
Hi everyone! 👋 I also prefer these threads to the actual chat function - Not sure why.
Anyway, great to connect with you all on here.. thank you Sophie... I might have to copy you and make one of these on my page👍☺️
For those who don't know me... I write about the conflicting battles we face as we navigate through life's challenges, and the pressures we feel from family, society and the wider world. Particularly around topics such as; life balance, work, parenting, midlife and the importance of ours and our children's mental wellbeing. As a highly sensitive and observant empath, I share my own experiences and insights with raw honesty, compassion and humour.
Do it! I've loved these conversations here. I've decided that I'm always going to do them here as a Thread instead of Chat, I think it works much better!
😱 I've just realised I'm not subscribed to you!! I've rectified that immediately! 🤦🏼♀️
What a lovely idea for a chat thread. For some reason the actual chat function here, for me doesn't seem to work v well. I find it quite disjointed and difficult to follow - does anyone else experience that.
Here it just seems to flow better somehow and feels like more of a conversation.
I’m so happy to connect with you all! I truly appreciate Sophie’s incredible work. I’m a homeschooling mom of 3, author, and intuitive life coach for moms. My Substack is Soul Care Mom where I explore mastering the art of slow living while navigating the wild ride of motherhood, homeschooling, and entrepreneurship.✨💕
I have a question for the mamas in this space…what would you say is your biggest struggle when it comes to caring for yourself? 💗
I’ve started listening to audiobooks on Spotify so that I can get a bit of self care (I love reading), and do something useful like cleaning/ ironing etc. That’s been really helpful for me
Oh, I love that! Finding time to connect with myself in the pockets of my day has been such a lovely way to infuse even the busiest days with self care. What book(s) are you enjoying right now? 📚
I've just finished reading/ listening to 'The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read, and Your Children Will be Glad That You Did' by Phillipa Perry. How do you bring self care into your day-to-day life? What sort of things do you do?
Ooooo! Thank you for sharing! That book sounds intriguing. I’m excited to check it out. Some of the things that light me up are taking a relaxing bath, reading, or watercolor. 🎨 But some days are busier than others 😄 So I also like to weave self care into the smaller pockets of my day…enjoying a cup of tea, stepping outside to feel the sunshine and taking a few deep breaths, or turning on a favorite song and dancing 🎶 💖
Hi all 🩷 for those who don’t know me, I write Create Me Free - all about the complex relationship between art and mental health.
The thing I am most excited about there is my series of visual interviews in which people respond to a series of questions with their art. Because some things aren’t easily said in words. And neurodiversity causes us to express ourselves differently.
Sorry! 😆 I’d call this a Thread, but Substack have just got rid of the separate Thread function. Now they’re either a text post, or a video or audio post. So I suppose technically this is just a text post 😅.
The Chat is those speech bubbles at the bottom of the app that’s a bit like WhatsApp.
I’ve been working on my website recently, and I’ve been adding my courses and services there. Ever since I made the decision to step away from taking on any more long term clients, I’ve been thinking of ways to be of service, but without the commitment of a long timeline.
That’s why I’ve been adding digital recourses and courses to my website, and also some short term/ one off services.
I know this is the right direction for me, but it still feels scary to change your business model so much.
Sophie, Thanks for creating this space and sharing your journey with us. I understand that feeling of navigating the uncertainty as you step onto a new path. It takes courage to listen to follow your intuition. Celebrating you and excited to see how your journey unfolds 😘💖
My experience has taught me to keep following my heart. Those little nudges will guide you in profound ways. It absolutely is worth it!! Keep doing what you’re doing. Cheering for you each step of the way 🫶🙌💕
I'd love to start a conversation around guilt... Can people tell me (in relation to Sophie's topics around motherhood, creative business and neurodiversity) where feelings of guilt most pop up for them? And which feelings of guilt you most struggle with? ❤️
I'll start...
Currently I'm struggling with feeling guilty about the amount of hours I'm putting into building my new creative business, which is taking my time and attention away from my partner and the kids 😟
Guilt is massive for me. It shows up everywhere. I feel guilt if I work on my Substack when I have client work outstanding, or if I work on client work and haven't yet written anything for my Substack. I feel it when I work (at all) when the children are home. I feel guilty when I don't get as many hours of work done when I have childcare, or that the house needs cleaning, or there hasn't been enough time to do a project that the children wanted to do. Or that I haven't spent enough 1:1 time with each child, or my husband, or I haven't walked the dogs much this week because I've been busy.
So yeah, you could say I sometimes feel guilty 😅🤦🏼♀️🤣
Just a bit then 😂 You should come on my new podcast.. all about guilt.. starting in Jan! Seriously, you’d be great! I’ll send you a DM.. x
Hi everyone! 👋 I also prefer these threads to the actual chat function - Not sure why.
Anyway, great to connect with you all on here.. thank you Sophie... I might have to copy you and make one of these on my page👍☺️
For those who don't know me... I write about the conflicting battles we face as we navigate through life's challenges, and the pressures we feel from family, society and the wider world. Particularly around topics such as; life balance, work, parenting, midlife and the importance of ours and our children's mental wellbeing. As a highly sensitive and observant empath, I share my own experiences and insights with raw honesty, compassion and humour.
https://greatlittleinsights.substack.com/
I look forward to getting to know you all ❤️
Do it! I've loved these conversations here. I've decided that I'm always going to do them here as a Thread instead of Chat, I think it works much better!
😱 I've just realised I'm not subscribed to you!! I've rectified that immediately! 🤦🏼♀️
What a lovely idea for a chat thread. For some reason the actual chat function here, for me doesn't seem to work v well. I find it quite disjointed and difficult to follow - does anyone else experience that.
Here it just seems to flow better somehow and feels like more of a conversation.
Yeah, I’m not sure about Chat. I’m trying to make it work, but it’s definitely easier to navigate in a thread like this one 😊
Hi Beautiful Souls!! 👋
I’m so happy to connect with you all! I truly appreciate Sophie’s incredible work. I’m a homeschooling mom of 3, author, and intuitive life coach for moms. My Substack is Soul Care Mom where I explore mastering the art of slow living while navigating the wild ride of motherhood, homeschooling, and entrepreneurship.✨💕
I have a question for the mamas in this space…what would you say is your biggest struggle when it comes to caring for yourself? 💗
Feeling guilty EVERY time I do something for myself 🙄
WHY are we like this?! 🤯😅
😂
Ah, the feeling of “I should be be doing something else” - cleaning, ironing, making tea, working, earning money. Literally anything else! 🤦🏼♀️
Yup.. exactly this!
You’re in good company, Eva. 😉 thanks for sharing your experience 🫶
Sophie, ugh yes!! There’s always more to do. You’re not alone in that feeling. Thank you for sharing that with me 💛
I’ve started listening to audiobooks on Spotify so that I can get a bit of self care (I love reading), and do something useful like cleaning/ ironing etc. That’s been really helpful for me
Oh, I love that! Finding time to connect with myself in the pockets of my day has been such a lovely way to infuse even the busiest days with self care. What book(s) are you enjoying right now? 📚
I've just finished reading/ listening to 'The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read, and Your Children Will be Glad That You Did' by Phillipa Perry. How do you bring self care into your day-to-day life? What sort of things do you do?
Ooooo! Thank you for sharing! That book sounds intriguing. I’m excited to check it out. Some of the things that light me up are taking a relaxing bath, reading, or watercolor. 🎨 But some days are busier than others 😄 So I also like to weave self care into the smaller pockets of my day…enjoying a cup of tea, stepping outside to feel the sunshine and taking a few deep breaths, or turning on a favorite song and dancing 🎶 💖
Hi all 🩷 for those who don’t know me, I write Create Me Free - all about the complex relationship between art and mental health.
The thing I am most excited about there is my series of visual interviews in which people respond to a series of questions with their art. Because some things aren’t easily said in words. And neurodiversity causes us to express ourselves differently.
I am open to new participants and you can check it out here: https://createmefree.substack.com/t/interview-in-images
😱 this sounds amazing, Kathryn!! I’m going to check it out 😍
I have been really touched by the responses I have seen. 🩷
Hey! I prefer chat threads. It just feels more cozy. 💗
You mean like how we're doing it here on this Thread, rather than in the Chat function?
Wait. Now I'm confused. 😆 Is this a chat note then?
Sorry! 😆 I’d call this a Thread, but Substack have just got rid of the separate Thread function. Now they’re either a text post, or a video or audio post. So I suppose technically this is just a text post 😅.
The Chat is those speech bubbles at the bottom of the app that’s a bit like WhatsApp.
Oh I missed the thread function leaving I think haha!
I’ve been working on my website recently, and I’ve been adding my courses and services there. Ever since I made the decision to step away from taking on any more long term clients, I’ve been thinking of ways to be of service, but without the commitment of a long timeline.
That’s why I’ve been adding digital recourses and courses to my website, and also some short term/ one off services.
I know this is the right direction for me, but it still feels scary to change your business model so much.
Now, to market it and hope people buy! 😬😅
Sophie, Thanks for creating this space and sharing your journey with us. I understand that feeling of navigating the uncertainty as you step onto a new path. It takes courage to listen to follow your intuition. Celebrating you and excited to see how your journey unfolds 😘💖
If you’ve any tips, I’m all ears! 😅. I know it’s for the best, but it’s sooo slow. It’ll be worth it in the end 🥰
My experience has taught me to keep following my heart. Those little nudges will guide you in profound ways. It absolutely is worth it!! Keep doing what you’re doing. Cheering for you each step of the way 🫶🙌💕
Love this, Catherine!! Thank you! 🙏🏻❤️
I love this active intention of finding a way to be of service that also works for you
Yeah, the previous way I was working just wasn’t working at all. It’s a slow process changing everything over, but I’m getting there
I'm just about to embark on an overhaul of the front page of my website. I need a small about me section and to streamline the main part of it.
So exciting! Cheering for you, Lorna! 🫶💖
Thanks Catherine.
Good luck with it!
Sophie and Lorna.. can you add the links to your websites onto this chat please 🙏😊💖
Here's the link to my website: https://www.sophieinglebyva.com/
Thanks.