things I am proud of...

being self-employed is HARD. that is all. it's amazing, and wonderful, and exciting, and testing, and so very hard. I absolutely LOVE what I do, and I am so passionate about Ladybird Likes, but some days I get stuck in a funk and I get worried and stressed out. I read someone's tip that said when they feel like this they look at a list they made of all the thing they have done in their business that they are proud of and that make them happy and remind them why they are doing this. it sounded like an awesome idea, so here is my list;

- getting to collaborate with artists and designers who I've admired since before I even started my own business
- overhearing people at craft fairs talking about my jewellery and saying how much they love it
- passing the 5000 followers mark on Instagram
- travelling to America to sell my jewellery at Renegade Austin
- having my jewellery featured in magazines, including Mollie Makes and Frankie, two of my favourite magazines of all time!
- hitting 3000 sales in my Etsy shop, just two and a half years after opening and selling my first item
- supporting myself and making a living running a business I started on a tiny budget
- being followed online by several bloggers who I have followed since before I first started my own blog (this is a really big thing to me - I guess it's the equivalent of your music idol coming up to you and saying they like your music or something!)
- setting myself a goal for 2014 of sharing my business knowledge with others, and totally smashing it (I've spoken at three events, one of which was my own solo seminar, plus I now mentor other small businesses on a one to one basis!)
- when my amazing customers leave my equally amazing feedback (sometimes I read through your feedback when I'm feeling a bit meh, and it ALWAYS makes me smile!)
- being asked by one of my favourite magazines to be a regular craft/DIY feature contributor for their blog (more on this to come)

do you feel like this at times, where the stresses of business, or just life in general, seem to pull you down? I'd highly recommend making a list like this, printing a copy out, and sticking them everywhere so you can always see one when you need a pick me up. remember - you are never alone. there are always ups and downs, but hang in there, ride it out, and come out the other side stronger than before.