Thankyou for this wonderfully inspiring post.
Megan

Congratulations, that is such a wise, strong move. I was fully inspired by your lovely, uplifting post and feel motivated to make some changes on some things I have been holding back on.
Best of luck to you.

Congratulations, that is such a wise, strong move. I was fully inspired by your lovely, uplifting post and feel motivated to make some changes on some things I have been holding back on.
Best of luck to you.

Congratulations, that is such a wise, strong move. I was fully inspired by your lovely, uplifting post and feel motivated to make some changes on some things I have been holding back on.
Best of luck to you.

When I read your postings.. especially about your business and your creativity.. I always feel SO inspired. Firstly you are surrounded by so many wonderful kindred spirits.. that alone is inspiring... How blessed you are that you have others that are relatively on the same path! I read your posting about being courageous to explore the boundaries of your business.. CONGRATS on the studio!

I have an idea.. my little greeting cards called Benchmarks..(you can see them on my site) that came out of my own pain and experiences.. and so far my ideas are big but I think I'm afraid to "dip my toe" in the bigger pond. Like the tide, my yearning to really focus on this venture comes in and out.. ebbs and flows.. But why?
Am I afraid of failing? Afraid of success maybe? I don't know. I know my cards touch others..Just took the journey to the National Stationery Show in NYC to be inspired..But still.. I procrastinate. I don't really understand why. I am envious that you work at home.. and are at a success at it. I would love to end my 9 to 5 (that I actually like, Thank the Universe) and focus on my cards.. Ultimately open a little inspiration shop with cards, art, and inspirational ditties that I KNOW most people are starving for.

It's posts like yours..your courage.. feeling "Brave on the Rocks" as Sabrina Ward Harrison says.. that helps me along.. one tippy toe at a time..

So thank you.

You grow girl. Very exciting. I needed to see this today.

You go! I invested in an assistant for myself. She takes care of any household/life/business bookkeeping/baby details that I can delegate so I can focus on my business details that I can't delegate. She definitely pays off. It's very empowering to admit and accept that I'm not good at detail follow through so instead of fighting that piece I can pay a nominal amount for her help and so I can focus more on what I do well. Kee us osted on the space.

For whatever reasons I think we often "buy into ideas" which aren't even ideas at all, rather negative beliefs that we actually start to believe only because we have been conditioned to so. It's so wonderful to rid of those.
What a great post. So full and encouraging.

I am so excited for you. It's refreshing to finally go after your dreams and realize that they are not impossibilities.

As for me, I am working up the courage and clout to tell (not ask) my boss that I want to go part time and only work 4 days a week starting in September on my one year anniversary at this job. {{DEEEP breaths}} There are too many things in my life that are more important to be taken care of. It a big baby step for me. :D

Congratulations again.

congratulations andrea, that is such exciting news. i can't wait to see what you do in this new space. this inspires me to think about my art and photography in a different light.

wonderful wonderful post!

wow.
this was so needed in my world today.
i've been resisting doing the tees because i've been hesitating investing in myself. this was a huge answer to that conflict inside. thank you.

and the fact that you found the perfect studio filled with creativity and two new friends totally made my day.

(this speesees studio totally rocks. it now just needs a huge framed photo of Ben doin' the dance).

love you.

Amen! For me, it is just as hard sometimes to invest the time in creativity and my own pursuits. Something in me pushes back against the "indulgence" when it is actually essential and healthy and right to give that time to myself.

That's it...you've inspired me...no more guilt. For now.

i love this.

xoxo

Girl, you work fast!! :) It sounds like the timing matched your energy! Thanks for thinking of me, though... For now I'll have to come visit when you are all set, okay? I'm thrilled for you! xo

i think this is so vital--to indulge ourselves sometimes because it's not just about pleasure or instant gratification. sometimes things go deeper than that and little investments are needed!!

especially to show ourselves how much we LOVE ourselves.

andrea-

this is awesome!!! i am so stoked for you. i can feel your excitement! :)

this is SO what i needed to hear today. i too am done thinking "small" and opening myself up to more possibilities. your blog encourages this type of thinking and i am so grateful for it-and you.

justin is doing something really similar (except with web design) and just got an office space with a couple of guys. they all work together but also have their own stuff going on-it is such a great idea and energy.

again, happy to hear you moving forward with your dreams!

love,
mccabe x

Wonderful Andrea! Congratulations!!! I agree with others, a perfect topic for me today! Be sure to post a photo of your new studio! I wanna see! :) I started my business in July of last year and I love it and fully understand the importance of investing in ourselves, especially as women. I wish you the most wonderful and continued success!

Love, Michele

how perfect a topic. I just purchased a very expensive vintage press to pursue my love of design, greetings and fine art prints.
it was scary but I did it anyway.

check em out.
http://richiedesign-paper.blogspot.com/

how perfect a topic. I just purchased a very expensive vintage press to pursue my love of design, greetings and fine art prints.
it was scary but I did it anyway.

check em out.
http://richiedesign-paper.blogspot.com/

gosh it is so refreshing to read your posts! thank you thank you for sharing. congrats with the new space! xx

Congratulations to you! That is wonderful news and I'm sure you will be happy and inspired. I have two dreams that I hope to realize: one I've started, the other I hope to accomplish. First, my friend and I are working on a collaborative novel based on our graduate school experiences. Both of us had wild rides and are beginning to put pen to paper. Although I am a non-profit attorney, my education is in studio art. My hope is to rediscover painting and other creative mediums. I desperately seek balance between my logical brain and the creative side. I have no idea if I will be successful in the "capitalist" sort of sense but I know it will make me spiritually happy.

Oh, congratulations! That's so exciting! It's such a scary leap, investing in yourself. In my head it's always: what if you don't make a profit and you turn out to be just a selfish hobbyist? ;) It's so worth taking that risk. I can't wait to see your new space! Again, big congratulations.

Thank you so much for posting this, Andrea! Exactly what I needed to hear today.
And congrats to your new studio! That sounds wonderful!

How exciting, congratulations!!!
You are certainly right, we should invest in ourselves. My husband & I are both artists and he hasn't ever had a problem justifying investing in supplies and usually has to nudge me to do so {I'm getting better at this}.
He also rented space with other artist for the past 6 months, he got so much more accomplished and the energy in there was amazing!

have fun!!

Oh, good for you! How exciting!!!

Thank you for this post. It's very timely, as I'm preparing to ask for a *huge* raise when I go to work today. I know I'm worth it, and I hope my employer believes that as well - and is willing to *invest* in me :-)

This is the EXACT post I need to be reading this morning. Good for you, Andrea! I'm proud of you! And Ben...18 months already?! And already a musician... ;)

thank you for this. i really needed to read these words. i find myself at this same place daily. i can't wait to delve into the links.

see you in sept.

k
[the video was priceless. looks like he has a bit of harper in him with the guitar on the lap.
now that is something!]

Money is a tough issue, especially when you're not the one making it yet. But I feel strongly that dream-chasing HAS to be a priority; life is worth living, after all! For me, investing in myself means hiring someone to play with the girls so I can finish my book, though it's hard to get over the guilt of handing one's children off to someone else. What keeps me focused more than anything, though, is wanting to set an example for them of a vibrant, passionate life.

That studio?

She is "Juicy".

Thanks for this post! I am going to start a Master's program in Public Health at UW this fall and the prospect of living off of student loans for two years and putting myself in debt has had me second guessing my decision. When I remember that in doing this, I am investing in myself, it feels a lot better and makes me excited to see what this leap into the unknown may open up for me!

I am so happy for you! I think you are right, as soon as we "believe" in ourselves we move forward in wonderful ways. I have to say it is easier said than done, good for you for taking the leap. I often get so overwhelmed by my circumstances that it is hard to focus on my dreams. Money isn't an issue for me but I can't seem cherish myself and my dreams within the reality of my life. I have two girls to raise and a husband who requires a lot. I just keep chanting baby steps.

I really need to invest in myself and simply embrace who I am. Currently I am down on myself, feeling just awful, and I can't seem to shake this funk. I really need to figure out a way to do the things I love...photography, painting, reading, and writing...not for buissness purposes but simply to heal my heart.

Thank you for reminding me that investing in ourselves is extremly important.

Congratulations to you! Sounds like a new chapter of beautiful goodness coming your way :)

Cheers!

Thank you. This post helped strengthen my ability to at least imagine investing in myself more. The first step is the ability to do it in your mind. Loved the girl effect video, too. Beautiful.

Your posts are so inspiring and always arrive at just the right time. I was wondering if you might talk a little in one of your posts about how you find the time to be creative and have your own business and do things for yourself while have an 18 month old. I have a 2 1/2 year old and this is a large part of what I struggle with. I want to invest in myself and my dreams but I struggle with that while raising my daughter. Thanks.

Yay! I wish you all the best wishes in the world!

I love reading your stories and this it's so fitting that you would post this at this time. It seems like the perfect time to ask: do you still offer Life Coaching? I would love to know more about this as an option to invest in myself.

Thank you,

asd

investing in ourselves, our businesses, our passions, our sanity... what a concept!!!! me thinks i ought to follow your lead.

i cannot wait to see photos of your new space! congrats! huge! hugs!
xo,
j

I'm about to create a Strong Coaching newsletter, which feels like my equivalent today of the new studio...

Congrats on yours. Exciting!

You have just put into words all that I have been feeling for years. I have never been able to put my finger on it. It's a matter of self worth, isn't it? My mom always gave me the message that it was 'selfish' to invest in yourself, but she is possibly one of the most unhappy people I know. I know now that is is not selfish, but rather an act of affection and belief in myself to invest time, energy and thought into what I want to do. I want to make a change from my corporate career into fine art. I think this is what has been holding me back. Thank you for your wisdom.

I am so glad that you posted that J K Rowling link. I am a h-u-g-e fan of hers and also of you, but somehow I never thought I'd link the two of you together. Awesome!

Outstanding! You've prompted me to think big about my own space, and JK has me appreciating the benefits of my own failure. A good day indeed.

first, congrats on the space, that must feel fabulous, and at a good price, nice. and second, loved the girl effect video, thanks for the link and the change of thought.
have a fabulous day.

Thank you so much for this post. Very inspiring!

Congratulations on investing in yourself and on sharing it with the rest of us! it's so refreshing to hear your process and your vision for your life.
I am going through an investment in myself right NOW! I took a business plan workshop that shifted my focus so much and is helping me get over my fear of expansion. I stay small because I am afraid that it will be hard, chaotic, overwhelming if I think big and take actions toward my vision. This is all a big lie, and I am taking small steps to create the dream life for myself, spiritually, financially and creatively. My new vision is:
" I have a thriving abundant photography business and experience spiritual, creative and financial fulfillment. " there - I said it out loud.
I am investing more time on self care, and on creating the structures I need to help me move forward. xo *c p.s. I got my new necklace - THANK YOU!

Hey! It was so cool meeting you the other day at the gym. I have seen you around town many times and didn't have the guts to say "hi" (well, you usually looked busy) so it was cool to come face to face with you...like the right moment just opened up. It is funny, because I've been thinking about you a lot lately, and some of the wonderful bits of your wisdom I've held in my heart through the years of reading your blog.

I put in a link below to my depression podcast, the latest of which I think would resonate with your readers and you. I know I've learned a lot about how to live from you and your writings. Always amazing. :)

Once again, you have posted exactly what I needed to hear. So many new questions. So many possible answers. So much inspiration. I'm also really looking forward to seeing how this space will bring even more light into your already brilliant life.

Thank you.
Micheline

Yay! I'm so excited for you! And I can hear that empowerment in your written voice. Prepare yourself for wonderful things!

you have NO IDEA how much i needed to read this today. I wish you could have heard the conversation I had with Jason this morning. He was so proud because I finally admitted that I need help in certain areas. It's been a huge struggle because I like the control of keeping things small too. But things grow beyond your ability, and beyond the number of hours in a day. Congratulations on your space. It's so beautiful!!
And it's so nice to remember that solutions sometimes aren't as far away as we think they are.

this is exactly what i'll be doing by going to Squam! it's a bit scary for me, and a bit expensive (but well worth it, i'm sure!). i feel good about it, though. you are exactly right...it's an investment in myself and in my dreams.