Pure Sunshine LLC.

Who will you be when you grow up?

Hey there!

Do you ever think to yourself "should have kept a journal?"

Well - I'm blogging rather than journaling -

because if you're anything like me, life has a way of giving us the opportunity through inspiring and educational experiences -

a.k.a - challenging times, fun times or whatever term you prefer to use pertaining to those experiences - that opens the door to connect in meaningful ways with people as well as bringing closeness to our relationships.

Let's Dive In:

As a self starter and entrepreneur, we wear many different hats. (Cowgirl hats are my favorite) [inner monolog] (why did I say that?)

Back on track.

I often receive a variety of questions and many of them resonate quite deeply.

Especially these two questions:

"How did you get into Floristy?"

And

"What unique challenges do you face as a small business owner?"

Has anyone heard of the term (don don don) [Menacing Music] *gasp*............................."mid-life crisis" ? Bet you have!!

Anyway- who ever said, you have to work somewhere for 20-30 years then retire? - Don't let me find out.

With the very mention of this term, I'm compelled to break the stigma associated with the changes one makes towards their career or lifestyle.

To which it is so often misrepresented by this definition "mid-life crisis" because it indicates there's a problem when a person, no matter at what point (or several points) in their life, decides to choose to grab life by the horns and live life to the fullest.

We, as a society, place so much value in other people's journeys......

ALL, by means of comparison.

It's hard to recognize the person in the mirror some days when we feel like we aren't good enough, to be who we say we are, or we place more value on what others may think because what we do for a living is adequate, but not 100 % fulfilling.

We don't give ourselves enough credit because it doesn't "seem" as grand as the next person.

I don't know about you, but I've had 4 - going on 5 different career paths in the last 20 years, that as a working, contributing member of society, I noticed, as I began to explore my life's journey, the one thing that has always been consistently a part of my life is flowers! And it all started to make sense.

Good for you ,Sarah - you might be thinking. Why in the world do I care?

I'll tell you why.

Because deep down, you might be struggling with feeling like your floating through life.

You may be wondering when the next big thing is going to arrive that will get you one step closer to living the dream.

You might also be thinking "How does anyone get to live their dream life?"

You've probably heard people say "one day at a time" or "find your purpose".

By no means am I a counselor or give any formal advice, please do your own research.

But those thoughts happened to me and I felt like that.

I'm writing to you to say, that it doesn't matter if finding what brings you joy happens one year, fresh out of high school or after 20 years of trying different things until you wake up one day and it's been under your nose the entire time.

In the famous words of Confucius: "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."

When we are passionate about what we do for a living, we not only find fulfilment in our work but we contribute to the well-being of our selves and others.

For me, the impact I leave with those around me is what truly matters.

Throughout my working career, I have learned many skills that, without those career choices, would never have allowed me to become a business owner and entrepreneur or figure out my purpose.

I'm not perfect and neither is our natural world. Flaws and imperfections are all around us.

The beauty of it, is that those imperfections are what draws us together through shared experiences, which in turn, also brings us closer to each other.

Our unique and personal experiences help fuel the next generation.

When I first graduated, I had no idea what I was going to be when I grew up-

Well, that one word, the word "what" is a game changer.

[Whispering] ..... I'll tell you a secret....

You get to be- who - ever you choose to be, and do whatever brings you joy.

Best part is, that if you don't like who you are today, you can begin to change that, at any moment.

No one says, you have to be who you are today a single day longer.

No one says, you have to keep doing what you've been doing - because you've been doing it this whole time, even if it's working, it may not be fulfilling.

We have to stop asking our kids what they want to be and focus on asking who they wish to become.

Life is short:

If you don't like what your doing, you can learn new skills, change course and find what inspires you to "live your best life" in the words of Martha Stewart.

- I know- "whyyyyyy did you have to go there, Sarah???"

But, what she means is: Do it , and Do it now.

Don't wait till things are perfect. Start doing the things the kind person you wish to be, is already doing.

If you don't believe me, there are countless books on the subject. Like the book: Atomic Habits, by James Clear.

Moving on to the second question: "What challenges do I face as a business owner?"

Let's be honest:

Grappling with the public mindset has been a unique challenge for me personally as well as from a business standpoint.

As an artist, it comes naturally to fill the world with beauty, and beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. In that, flowers particularly, can immediately lift a person's mood, just upon first sight alone. It truly is love at first sight ❤️

As an entrepreneur, harnessing the public eye and learning how to navigate all the aspects of running a small business is an ongoing process.

From figuring out the socials, to marketing campaigns as well as the physical development of meet and greets, workshops, and especially getting over the fear of putting your face out there, have been really big.

Conclusion:

I share these thoughts of encouragement and invite you to put your face out there!!

Running a small business is hard work.

Don't be afraid to change course, make mistakes, continue to grow.

Bring your best self to the table each and every day.

And for heavens sake... mid-life crisis the heck out of your best life, over and over again!