it's the first monday of the year...
... which means my enthusiasm for hitting the ground running is officially morphing into a desire to fit in as many naps as possible. (Anyone else? Just me?)
Okay, so maybe I’m exaggerating a bit. But the truth is, I’ve never managed to fully capture that new year reset magic. I love the idea of it. I get really excited about it. I start journaling and reflecting and making lists and setting goals as early as November — and then, the holidays hit. And the exhaustion from the year settles in. And it’s still winter. I find myself just wanting a break. I start feeling overwhelmed by the idea of the new year. And then, I get down on myself for not starting off strong.
I think this experience has only become more apparent in my time with my business. Don’t get me wrong. I am eternally grateful for every opportunity that has come my way. But I think entrepreneurship is often overly romanticized. Sure, it can come with incredibly high highs. But it has also put me through years of overworking, burning out, and never-not-feeling overwhelmed as I hustle to sustain this business that, in turn, sustains me.
It’s difficult to navigate the relationship between you and your business, especially in the early stages. When it feels like you’re one and the same. When you’re actually running the show (making the product, packaging the orders) and nothing happens without you. When any and all growth directly correlates to more work for you.
To my fellow small business owners, whatever stage you’re in, I see you. I see you working on making 2026 the Best Year Yet™️ even as you’re still recovering from holiday season. I see that, no matter how much the good outweighs the bad, there’s still overwhelm and exhaustion and burnout to deal with behind the scenes. I’ve felt it, and continue to feel it, too. Here’s how I’m attempting to deal with it all this year:
Stay aligned with my vision for my business and for myself
I may not be able to control outcomes or deadlines, but I can control the decisions that I make. I can be more thoughtful and intentional about my choices, rather than acting on impulse and excitement alone. Is excitement an important factor? Of course. But it's just as (if not more) important to check in and ask myself if the outcome will bring me closer to my vision for Future Amy.
Focus on how I want it to feel over how I want it to look
As an adult, I've always been driven primarily by my own internal compass. My ideas, aspirations, random fixations, etc. I'm not immune to external markers of success, of course. When I think about my vision for the future this year, I'm focusing on the vibes. Slow mornings. Day trips with my husband. Living over existing.
Protect the space I’ve created for myself
As I enter my 8th (eighth!!) year of business, I’m finally figuring out how to separate myself from my business. I started the process last year with a lot of changes to how my business operates. I shipped a literal ton of inventory to a fulfillment center so that I no longer had to package each and every card with my own two hands. I signed on with a licensing agency so I could expand my reach with more support, connections, and expertise. And, I hired an accountant so I could chill the f*ck out about getting audited.
The result? Well, a bout of deep depression to start. More on that in my next post, but in the grander scheme of things, all these changes have allowed me to focus on being an actual human being again. No interest in letting that go anytime soon!
Chase joy and creative sparks in my day-to-day life
Pretty self-explanatory, really. But I want to make sure I actually make the time for those whimsical, silly, inspiring ideas. They don't have to be for anything, as long as they make me happy.
What intentions are you embracing in 2026?