Showing up even when you don’t feel like it is about the most challenging thing about being a founder I think. It’s a strange thing, but when things are going really well I don’t always wake up feeling positive, inspired and motivated.
In fact I think it’s possible that as my life gets better, I’m sometimes faced with the difficult feelings I’ve lived with in the past, when things have been less than ideal, challenging and even downright difficult at times. Sometimes I experience a lingering sadness and sometimes a tidal wave of grief for past me when I wasn’t able to be as boundaried and badass as I needed to have a purposeful and peaceful life doing my own thing on my own terms.
But whatever the feeling, I make it my mission to get up and show up, acknowledge where I am now and get on with the day.
I think in the days of social media it’s far too easy to compare our ‘behind the scenes’ with other peoples ‘show reels and to feel like we are somehow deficient – and so important to remember that our struggles are universal and no one is immune from having an off day.
I guess the best thing for me is remembering that these feelings pass, that we are surrounded by beautiful commons to walk on, sunsets to watch and woods to get immersed in.
And that life is not a competition, there is no “getting there”, it’s all about the journey and sharing our challenges may help others to feel less alone with their struggles and challenges.
Sometimes it’s just about knowing that showing up is as good as it’s going to get today, and that’s ok.
In case no one told you today, I believe in you. Your dreams matter.
Clare x
Clare Honeyfield is a high-performance coach working with creators, change-makers and rule-breakers for a better world. Clare is the founder of Small Talk at the Long Table, ‘All Stroud’ Networking at The Stroud Hotel, Stroud farmers’ market, The Made in Stroud Shop and author of ‘Artisan Stroud’.
