Feeling Down
I may have had some increases in traffic and improvements in Google rank recently but not everything is always sunshine and roses. I am feeling very down. There aren't many sales this month and more importantly I am not able to do the things I want to do.
I have been reprimanded for writing anything less than glowingly positive here before (not by Kyle or Carson etc). It is behavior that is not inspiring from an Ambassador some feel. Well, I won't be an Ambassador for long anyway since I don't have time to worry about it.
I have also had many members thank me for my honesty and tell me that sharing the not so great moments helps them feel like they can relate to those of us that seem "successful". They genuinely appreciate a non rose colored glasses take sometimes. It lets them know they are not alone.
I won't list all my stresses here now as I have done that before but suffice it to say health problems are discouraging. It is not fun to be stuck home alone when everyone else can go out and "play". It is discouraging and lonely and not inspiring for work. Everything starts to feel challenging and negative because you are different and restricted. Sometimes that is perfectly ok and I can be inspired to do my own thing and make something out of nothing for myself. Sometimes it just feels lonely and so annoying to be limited physically.
So, don't feel too bad if you are discouraged about lack of traffic, progress on your site, lack of sales or feeling like you are lost and can't keep up here. We all feel like that from time to time and it is perfectly normal! It will get better.
Jessica
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My dear, sweet Alaskan girl--it was YOU who first gave me the encouragement here and offered your kindness. You are an amazing person and one of my very favorites here---you always have been! Please know that you're always in my prayers...continually. xoxo
So, smile and shake it off--you've got to rise up with the eagles and soar high above all the foolishness and nonsense below.
Take good care. Erin :)!
Hi, Jessica.
Sorry to hear you're having a rough time. Like several of our WA friends, I, too, struggle with physical issues that slow me down when I want to keep keepin' on. And I get frustrated and angry at myself when I can't.
You have been an inspiration to me, one of my mentors, and you have also provided an ear and encouragement when I needed it. YOU (not yelling, just don't know how to make something bold on here) were the one who finally helped me with that old bugaboo IMAGES! I was about to give up until you sent me the simple step by step guide to do it. I don't know how many times I'd watched the video and worked with it, but it was your encouragement and patience with me that finally caused the breakthrough. And I finally succeeded because of your help.
I know the community is all about sharing our success, but in my estimation (and the way I use it) it is also to provide us emotional support and motivation when the slow times come. And they DO come to all of us one way or another.
Some of us may be more open about sharing our thoughts and feelings than others, but that does not make it wrong when we do.
In my opinion, it's not honest to pretend to be cheerful when I'm not.
I feel that your honesty, both your excitement when things are
going well, like when you got your first sale, and your disappointment when your rank dropped, are very helpful. It helps me realize that I'm not alone when I have some of those same feelings.
Hang in there, Jess. You have lots of admirers who support you in good times and bad.
Carol
Thank you Carol. I am so glad I could help you. I still need to leave you more comments!
I have heard from many members here that they appreciate my honesty and they start to feel there is something wrong with them if they only read about success from the Ambassadors and those higher up in rank. They like to know we all have the same struggles and confusions at times or down times.
That is why I still post when I feel down (though I didn't for a long time). Thank you!
Jess, don't worry about replies to my comments unless it's something you need or want to do. No pressure from me. You ALWAYS reply when I need you, and that's the important thing. I didn't realize you were missing any. Carol
I'm way behind responding to my correspondence, too. Painter was here today painting the ceiling, and my desk, computer, and chair along with the rest of the living room furniture was covered with plastic to protect it from being speckled.
Hi Jessica,
I think you are very inspirational and you help a lot of people. Don't let an individual get to you. Life is way too short. I have always found your posts here very encouraging.
I'm sorry to hear you are down... I have to admit I am at that stage as well and I am very glad you wrote the encouraging note at the bottom 'So, don't feel too bad if you are discouraged about lack of traffic, progress on your site, lack of sales or feeling like you are lost and can't keep up here. We all feel like that from time to time and it is perfectly normal! It will get better."
It will get better and I think it's nice to have a brain break. Let's smell the roses...
Hugs at you!!
It's the solopreneur coaster... from the moment I climbed in years ago I've been stuck on the ride and I know those low times well. You're definitely not alone, and I'm sure you know... they don't last forever. I'm not sure if ride ever ends though. Sorry to hear you're feeling down and hopefully things turn around soon :-)
Thank you! Yes, I have written about that many times here. I have not done that recently though since I was told Ambassadors should not be negative by other members. Oh well.
Interesting, I don't think of being down so much as negative as it is simply part of the terrain we embark on as entrepreneurs. It's built into the landscape... You can't have the ups without downs... the words on the page wouldn't exist without the space that surrounds them. How we present those "downs" and our attitude towards them can be negative I suppose... but that's an entirely different thing.
Is it an official policy of being an ambassador, or is it coming from other members?
You know Jessica you are a human like the rest of us and we all have our problems.
In the last couple of days I’ve just experienced a TIA which is a mini stroke, it happened when I was sleeping - i’m Ok, the use of my left side is coming back.
The truth is none of the stuff in your last paragraph really matters - well it does, it’s about balance again.
In reality if someone is scooting a long, doing wonderful things on their website, they don’t want to be stopped whilst they are in full flow to listen to my woes!
As we are all in different places at different times, it’s difficult to listen to all the people, all the time.
If it helps you say something in a post, people have two choices!
Don’t worry to much of what people think! The truth is people don’t know what they are thinking anyway. They just do, it’s not the same as thinking.
It’s all about you, keep your spirits high and stay motivated!
Send all the posts you can and perhaps you keep your Ambassadorship if thats what you want? The truth is, it’s not so important either!
Let it all be about you being happy!
Well done, nice post! Keep posting!
Wayne
Thanks Wayne. I am glad you are recovering but so sorry to hear you had the TIA.
Yes, I guess I am feeling a little belligerent. I don't care what anyone else thinks. Life is hard enough!
Keep doing your thing! You have lots of friends here, just keep speaking out!
You are a big part of this community! People want to help if they can.
Stay strong Jessica, it’s not easy sometimes especially if you are in pain.
Wayne
Thank you Wayne. There are some supplements I found that really help but I think I forgot to take them last night since I take over 50 a day...so my back hurts again today. At least I know they work though since this is the second time in a week my back was worse when I didn't take them the day before.
5 years ago I had the stroke and I had back pain and a number of ailments.
I had 3 months of intense acupuncture, 6 days a week in a hospital in Vietnam, amazing results, all the feeling back and no back pain.
Started travelling again today, up at 5!
Take care
Wayne
Don't forget about your bundle of joy -- the newly adopted kitty...
You are always allowed to choose what ever mood you want to be in. Don't let other judgements or comments tell you otherwise.
Negative moments are learning moments as well. It gives rise to appreciation for what we have. Keep moving forward.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It's always nice to read them.
Yes, I love my kitties. The first one picks on the new one though so I feel guilty that we aren't giving the new one a better home. The new one seems to be doing ok though and not hiding as much. I think she is coming to the conclusion her "brother" is more annoying than scary (hopefully). He has gotten the squirt bottle (which used to terrify him and now he hardly cares), the sink (scary at first but not so much anymore) and finally tonight we put him in the tub...he seems to be learning water isn't so bad! That is not the effect we were going for. Luckily, the Safe Space For Cats drops seem to work on him for aggression too. So, maybe I am learning a new angle to use to review my products.
I just feel so bad since she is 14 and shouldn't be harassed and chased and feel like she has to hide under the dresser.
I'm sure you're aware that it takes awhile for the cat pecking order to get established when a newcomer enters the scene.
That's why I got George. My friend had 2 other cats that had adopted her at different times, and then George showed up at her door.
She tried letting him in with the other 2, but he is a lot bigger than they are, and they kept hiding.
Lolly felt like it wasn't fair for the "original" ones to be the ones who were hiding and not being themselves, so she decided that things weren't working out very well.
I had a problem with mice, and had told Lolly that I would take George if things didn't work out, and he became Bigfoot George instead of Orange George.
I think if she had given it more time that they would have eventually adjusted to each other, but I'm glad that George came to live with Leia and me.
The Safe Space for Cats sounds like a good idea. Hope it will continue to calm the first boy down so #3 can start to relax and live in peace.
When you feel like it, you might want to do some research for other products that might help as well. I know there is a pheromone calming mist that my vet uses when cats go to their practice.
They squirt a towel and put it over the carrier until it's time for the cat to be seen. Is that what your drops are?
I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers that your back pain will subside and the stress of your kitties' adjustment will ease as well.
Carol
Yes, Jackson Galaxy makes an Anti Bully Solution drop as well. I thought about getting that one too but the Safe Space seems to be working for everyone's issues. It definitly takes time to get sorted out. Our boys just have more hunting drive apperently since you never know when they will decide to play fight, stalk, pounce, bite. It is strange because our orange boy (the first one and biggest baby) won't hurt a mouse...literally. He won't kill anything wild. He is the biggest baby with us too. He loves to attack the other cats though and pounce and bite them on the neck and hold them down! He is just playing but he is too rough for most of them so we are always trying to get him to stop.
Glad the drops are helping and everyone is starting to settle into a more comfortable space now. Just think what a product review you can write now for Safe Space!
Which reminds me, George is very loving and wants to be petted, then will suddenly grab me with all 12 front claws and bite, drawing blood. If you have a product that might help stop that, I'd really appreciate it. You can PM me if you feel like it would be spamming to answer my question here. Sorry. I probably should have asked it as a PM. But there might be other readers who want to hear your response as well. You decide how you want to handle it. Didn't mean to put you in an awkward position. Carol
I will PM you the link to my post on the subject of cat aggression. There are a few products that should help. It seems many cats go through a biting phase when they are younger but as I recall George is not super young. If you act as the mother cat would and respond instantly with a yelp like saying "Ouch!!" or hissing at him he will understand that he is hurting you. Yes, hissing sounds mean but it is their language it REALLY gets their attention.
Thanks, Jessica. I automatically yell "Ouch" or "Stop That", but like the idea of hissing so I'm speaking his language. George is a big boy, but vet estimated his age at about one and a half, so it might still work. Carol
My last boy was still that age when he did it. I bet it is a combination of young age and still figuring out the world and his place in it after switching homes. It can take a long time.
Could be. He was the 3rd cat to arrive at his former home, and is top cat here, but Leia loves to chase him. They play like that, then curl up on the couch together. So cute.
I know how you feel because we are in the same boat. I have learned to accept it and I have learned to live with my health problem and disabilities. I am not going to mention what they are now but one day I will. So don't you worry about anything tomorrow will be better. Don't be discouraged either because things will get better. You take care and you want to talk PM me anytime I am always around.
Yes, most of the time I can accept it (and be optimistic that I continue to find treatments) but sometimes it just gets overwhelming. Thank you.
Hi Jessica, Hang in there things will get better just take one day at time , and concentrate on what you can do. I make a list each morning of what my goals are for the day, this has helped me to to stay focused and motivated. Take some time to heal and be good to yourself , do things you enjoy or find new things to enjoy.
I am recovering from cancer, my surgery was March 1 this year. I know a little about what your are experiencing. I understand thing do get better. it helps me to count my blessing for what I have left and build on that.
All the Best ,
Cathy
All the Best ,
Hi Jessica, I'm so sad to hear that you're feeling down. I don't believe that our WA blogs should just be glowingly positive - I think you should disregard that person's opinion, whoever said it. It's the tough times and the good times together that count and help others to grow by reading about them.
I really hope your health issues clear up you feel better soon. I love your site! Please don't be discouraged. :)
Thanks Soraya! That helps! I hope someday I can have truly great sites that really help people. That will make it all worthwhile.
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Ahh, so when I am feeling down, I find some quiet time to count my blessings. There are so many people with bigger problems in life, some are dealing with end of life matters as we speak. When I think of all the blessings that I have, a roof over my head, food to eat, I am grateful. I start to think of others that are worse off than me and soon I am no longer down. Blessings to you, the sun comes up the next day!
Yes, it is just depressing since we lost my Dad to leukemia also. I struggle with my health problems and the rest of the world seems to wonder why I don't have kids yet. I can barely take care of myself and family sometimes.
Wow, you are going through a lot. I hope this doesn't wierd you out, but I'll be praying for you as you go through this difficult time. Just know that you're not alone!
Thank you.