Catching Up

I don’t even know where to start with this one, so let’s recap the good stuff first.

Take out the really scary, triggering trauma, and it’s been a great week. My husband and I celebrated our 7 year wedding anniversary. I got to go to a lunch with Gwen Walz which was wonderful and uplifting, and it was truly an honor to be there. My dress is linked here, btw.

I’ve already completed 17 gift guides for 2024. My hope was to complete one a day this month, and I didn’t start until the 3rd, so I’m feeling really good about that. I just signed a contract for another repeat partnership with a brand I love and hit a big goal for my annual income this week. Last year wasn’t my best year, but I’ve seen a 34% increase from my 2023 EOY revenue as of October, and 15% from the year before, which was a better year. And I have made more this year than my salary plus bonus at my old company.

I share this because I was scared to walk away. I doubted myself and didn’t think I could do well enough on my own. But at the end of the day, I’m making more money not having to pay employees to churn out content. I don’t have to answer to anyone, have the flexibility a business owner should have, only write what I want to, and I no longer pretend to be on slack when I’m at an appointment. Ha. So to be where I am now feels really good.

My sister is surprising the girls and flying in late tonight. She’s going to just be here tomorrow morning when they wake up, and they’re going to freak out. They love fun aunt Jess the most, and we’re going to have a fun weekend together. We all need that right now.

I also surprised our au pair with an early birthday present before her big trip later this month. It’s still on sale!

I finally scheduled my first resistance workout and was about to go this morning, but ended up at the hospital instead. Given the nature of what I’m about to share, I’m going to keep this one reserved for my paid subscribers.