I had to make a change

I want to connect with you, but the truth is, I don’t know how.  Let me explain.  For months, I have grappled with how to create genuine exchanges with you online, like the ones we have at the festivals, but I haven't found a way.  Festivals seem to create golden opportunities for genuine conversations, oftentimes, deep connections and always, open hearted exchanges.  It’s a place where kindred spirits come together, in nature, for a shared experience.   But selling online feels so impersonal...so transactional, and the money wasn’t satisfying my soul.  

Every marketing book I read tells me if I want to be successful, I must consistently flood the inbox and social media feeds of my customers so that we can stay top of mind. But I disagree. What if marketing, just for the sake of a sale, brings no satisfaction? Then, what would be the point?  I have been asking myself this question all year, and especially over this past month as I have stepped back from Filosophy to listen to my intuition and honor my feelings about the situation.  Instead of continuing to beat the marketing drum, I decided to take a step back and reassess.

I needed to acknowledge the growing sensation of dread welling up inside me each morning as I sat down to my computer to work.  Online marketing and self promotion has never been my thing; it feels disingenuous, besides I just don’t know how to have a real conversation online.  

For years I have touted the philosophy of Filosophy to be authentic, and live your highest purpose.  But it felt like I wasn’t living mine and it was starting to take a toll.  I became full of fear that my life had boiled down to a bunch of emails and social media posts that didn't make a bit of difference in anyone’s life and I just couldn’t do it any longer. I saw I wasn’t living in alignment with my own philosophy and that made me feel like a fraud.  I couldn’t handle the unsatisfying feeling of constantly promoting the business online, when everything about it felt forced, so I decided to put my energy into a project that I have let idle for far too long.  

It’s called Festival Business Academy, an ultimate business guide for the adventurous entrepreneur.  It’s here I’ve been putting all my time and energy.  I want to be part of the solution to help people explore alternative lifestyles and non traditional career paths, ones that are full of freedom, independence and passion.  I want to share my knowledge and experience with people interested in a non traditional lifestyle like mine, where it’s possible to choose where you want to live, decide how much you want to work and determine how many months you want to travel.  I want to show people that they can create a life they love, but before I could do that, I had to go back to creating a life I love. 

I don’t believe it’s our circumstances that dictate our happiness, rather our happiness is a choice; however, I do believe that when we feel deeply unhappy, it’s important to figure out why.  I realized I wasn’t doing things that really matter to me.  I was out of alignment with my own raison d'etre.  It became clear that making a difference feels more fulfilling than making a buck, so I had to make a change.  In spite of loving Filosophy with all my heart, I have had to step back for a while to pursue work that brings me joy.  

So if you have been wondering where I’ve been, it’s here, at home, making a life instead of a living. And, if in the process, I can find a way to connect online that feels genuine and relevant, I will.  But until then, I’m going to lay low and just do what makes me happy, even if that means we don’t make many sales.  Besides, what’s the point of having a business that gives you freedom if you don’t use it when you need to?   My choice is to live with purpose and do my best to make a difference in the world.  I want to serve a community of like minded, empowered, free spirits who choose to do things differently.  Most of all...I want to live life en-joy! Thank you for your support and your care.  I am here whenever you need me.

Stay healthy and be well!

Love,

Katie